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It's been a big summer of transition for the Coalition! We welcomed a new Executive Director, and added two new folks to our staff. As we head into the fall, we're reflecting on the farm community and the lasting impacts of the #WVFLOOD and the resulting loss of crops, livestock, and much more. To support our farmers impacted by the #WVFLOOD during this time of emergency, the Coalition responded by offering our time and resources to our farm communities, while learning about the absence of assistance for small farmers. With the help of many, the Coalition raised $4000 that has gone to support 15 farmers and market gardeners in need. In addition the Coalition worked with Farm Aid to provide nine farmers $500 in flood relief.
The West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition spent the past six weeks visioning, strategizing, and refueling as a new team along with our supportive board of directors, and with our encouraging and patient coalition members - those who ultimately shape West Virginia's food and farm community. On Friday, September 16th, the Coalition, Hudson Farms, LLC and Bonds Creek Farm traveled to Bristow, Virginia for the 2016 Farm Aid Concert. Participating in the Homegrown Village and press events at the Farm Aid Concert with food and farm activists from across the nation welcomed a new, inspiring energy as we enter fall and continue our work of building a resilient local food system for all people in West Virginia.
We look forward to this new season upon us and its bountiful harvest.
Thank you for your continued support,
West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition
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West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, Bonds Creek Farm and Hudson Farms, LLC at Farm Aid 2016.
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Foodshed Field School: Year-Round Production at The Charm Farm on Thursday, September 29th, 3:30PM - 6:30PM
Take a tour of the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition's Board Vice President's farm in Beverly, WV. Learn about the planning, labor, and storage required to sustain the Charm Farm's year-round, full-diet CSA. You'll also learn about the organic certification process, and the impacts the certification has on access to new wholesale markets. Potluck to follow at 6:30PM. Register here.
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Workshop: Organic Cover Crop Management From Fields to High Tunnels in Concord, NC on October 17, 2016, 9AM - 3PM
Learn the benefits of cover crop management in organic systems, including weed and nutrient management. Visit CFSA's Lomax Incubator Farm in the afternoon. Register here before September 30, 2016.
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5th Annual NIFTI National Field School in Ann Arbor, MI on October 25th - 27th
Join Incubator Farm Program staff from across the country for "workshops, skills-based trainings, and discussions designed to critically examine the Incubator Farm as a model for beginning farmer training, and to grow the professional skills of IFP staff." The field school includes several incubator farm tours on the final day. To learn more and to register, click here.
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Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Durham, NC on November 4th - 6th, 2016
Join "over 1,200 beginning and experienced farmers, agripreneurs and ag-tivists, health advocates and gardeners, consumers and homesteaders- and everyone in -between- for workshops, hands-on intensives, farm tours, demonstrations, good food, great conversations and community-building. This is a once-a-year opportunity to celebrate and build a vibrant, sustainable food system." Current livestock and poultry farmers are eligible to apply for a conference scholarship. Info below in "Grant Opportunities". Otherwise, learn more and register here.
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Early Bird Registration is Now Open!: NESAWG It Takes a Region Conference on November 10th - 12th in Hartford, CT
"NESAWG's annual It Takes a Region Conference brings together farm and food practitioners across the 12-state Northeast region to learn, debate, collaborate, and innovate ideas and solutions to critical food systems issues." "Tackle the wicked problems in food systems" here.
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2016 Women in Agriculture Conference November 4-5, 2016 in Daniels, WV
Deadline for early bird registration is October 10, 2016. Register here.
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5th National Women in Sustainable Agriculture Conference: Building Connections Towards Resiliency in Portland, OR on November 30th - December 2nd
The conference "will bring together farmers, educators, technical assistance providers and activists engaged in healthy food and farming to share educational and organization strategies, build technical and business skills, and address policy issues aimed at expanding the success of women farmers and ranchers." To learn more and to register, click here.
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National Farmers Union Free Online Conference for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers on December 5th - 8th, 5-8PM EST
The free, online conference for beginning farmers & ranchers will address the following issues: mentorship, business planning, USDA programs, student loans, land tenure, food safety, women and veterans in farming, conservation, and much more. Register here.
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Deadline: Rolling Basis
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| Deadline: December 15, 2016 @ 5PM | |
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Proposal Deadline: October 1, 2016
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Deadline: October 31, 2016 for projects < $80,000; Deadline March 31, 2017 for all project sizes
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Deadline: October 6, 2016
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Deadline: October 15, 2016
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Online Submission System Opens: October 15, 2016; Deadline: November 29, 2016 @ 11:59PM EST
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Watch Farm Commons' video on "Building a Legally Sound Intern and Volunteer Program for Farm Work" here.
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Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy recently published the GREEN Tool- Garden Resources, Education, and Environment Nexus: For Well-Integrated School Gardens. View the tool here.
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Q&A with Argus Farm Stop, a retail food hub connecting producers to consumers and increasing local supply in Ann Arbor, MI. Read the full interview here.
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FarmersWeb, a farm management software company, is offering a free wholesale market consultation for farm businesses. Find out more about FarmersWeb here.
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FOOD AND FARM POLICY CORNER
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NRDC published the "Farmer's Guide to Enhanced Federal Tax Deduction for Food Donation" in June 2016. Find out if your farm can benefit from the tax deduction here.
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Support the WV Food & Farm Coalition!
Your support will further our work to make local food more viable in West Virginia.
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