The 2010 Virginia Biological Farming Conference will provide two days of educational presentations concerning ecological agriculture. Many participaants in the conference are members of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming. VABF is an active network of citizens in and around Virginia whose primary focus is to provide information and services to farmers, gardeners and consumers about biological agriculture. New farming methods are being successfully and increasingly implemented in Virginia and around the world. With understanding of ecosystems and natural processes comes a decreased need for hazardous pesticides and other materials and practices which damage soil and contaminate groundwater supplies. Biological agriculture involves the use of natural methods and materials, and focuses on soil building, recycling of organic farm materials, and protection of wildlife and water resources.
Many Virginia farmers have experienced economic hardships in recent years. Costs of production are rising, especially for fuel and fertilizers. For this conference, we went all the way to South Africa to find a farmer who can really address the issues of energy use and soil fertility in agriculture. Ian Mitchell-Innes is an expert in Holistic Resource Management. He monitors the energy flow and nutrient cycling through the eco-system of his farm. He makes management decisions that control energy, water and nutrients.
The other plenary speaker for the 2010 Virginia Biological Farming Conference is Michael Ableman. Michael champions the cause of sustainable agriculture through books, films, television and many public presentations. During the last 50 years we have lost over 5 million acres of arable farmland to real estate development in Virginia. If this trend continues, there will not be much farmland or forested land in this state. Can you imagine the entire state of Virginia as one connected urban and suburban sprawl? Michael Ableman will suggest that islands of land preserved for farming and forestry could exist within this future landscape.
Other conference speakers will discuss permaculture, composting, seed saving, pastured poultry, raspberries, heirloom vegetables, beekeeping, biological controls of insects and diseases, tomatoes and mushrooms. We will have two presentations on food safety. We will have three of the best representatives in Virginia on hand to talk about state and federal government programs that support agriculture. We have two personnel from Berea College in Kentucky who can describe how small liberal arts colleges might become engaged in agriculture. We will have two excellent film presentations and one tour of an incredible composting operation.
As always we will have a lively youth program, an awesome trade show and plenty of opportunities for networking with ecological farmers from Virginia and other states.
Lodging
Comfort Inn & Suites (full as of 1/26/10) 100 tower Drive, Danville, VA 24540 Phone: (434) 793-2000 Fax.: (434) 792-4621 Comfortable 2 or 4-person rooms. May be reserved for the special rate of $70.00 per room if reserved by January 19th. Reservations must be made by calling the hotel directly at (434) 793-2000. Request the Virginia Biological Farming rate. Comfort Inn provides a substantial continental breakfast and free parking. Located at Rt. 29 (Central Blvd.) and Rt. 58 (Riverside Dr.), the hotel is about ten minutes from the Institute Conference Center. A restaurant and lounge are also on-site. See their website for more details, including directions, smoke-free rooms, pet-friendly rooms ($10 extra) and area attractions at: http://tinyurl.com/yfvpckk
Holiday Inn Express Danville 2121 Riverside Drive (Rt. 58 E. Business) Danville, VA 24540 Phone: (434) 793-4000 Fax: (434) 799-5516 Website: http://www.hiexpress.com Holiday Inn Express has matched the $70 rate for a block of rooms. Be sure to ask for the VABF block. Includes complimentary breakfast. The distance to the Conference Center is about 4.2 miles.
Rideshare / Roomshare
If you would like to share a ride to the conference, or a room while attending the conference, send an email to us (
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) with "Rideshare" in the subject line.
We can post your message in our "Share Menu" at the bottom of this page, which will allow others to contact you by email. We will not post the visual email address, but only a link to send you an email. You should give sufficient information to target the right audience. (Example: Female VABF member willing to share room at conference Feb. 19.)
Conference Details
Select any of the following to open a PDF file which is easy to print.
FOOD FESTIVAL: Don't forget to bring a dish to share for the Food Festival potluck lunch prior to the conference, starting at 11:45 am on Friday. "Price" of entry is a contribution to the table. (Optional but suggested - bring your own plate, cup, eating utensils to make the festival more "green." )
SNACKS: Dear VABFers, Help support our constant grazing at the conference. Those who have attended the Virginia Biological Farming Conference before know that VABF and local businesses provide tasty nutritious snacks all day long. We need help during the breaks between sessions. All you need to do is keep it kind of neat and sumptuous and put out the good stuff and make sure that nothing perishable is left. Please email me at
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or call(804) 272-0725 if you’d like to assist with this. Patricia Stansbury Virginia Association for Biological Farming http://VABF.ORG (804) 272-0725 http://EpicGardens.com
Vendor spots available
Central locations in the conference atrium available for vendors with products or services related to responsible farming and organic production methods. Reserve your space now by contacting Chris Mullins at
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or (804 524-5834.
Directions
The 2010 conference takes place at The Institute Conference Center at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, 150 Slayton Ave, Danville, Virginia 24540, (434)766-6700 http://www.ialr.org/contacts-a-directions
From the north and Lynchburg Regional Airport- Take 29 South. At Danville, take 29 South Bypass. Exit right onto Highway 58 East towards South Boston. Take immediate right onto River Point Road. Turn left onto Slayton Avenue at the Cyber Park sign. The Institute Conference Center is on the hill.
South -- Take 29 North Bypass. Exit right onto Highway 58 East towards South Boston. Turn right onto River Point Road (by the Pilot gas station). Turn left onto Slayton Avenue at the Cyber Park sign. The Institute Conference Center is on the hill.
East-- From South Boston on Highway 58 West, take a left at the Pilot gas station before you get to Danville. This is River Point Drive. Take another left onto Slayton Avenue at the Cyber Park sign and go to the hilltop.
West-- Take Highway 58 East. Stay on Highway 58 East towards Greensboro/South Boston. This will take you around Danville. Stay on Highway 58 East / Highway 29 North towards South Boston / Lynchburg. Exit right onto Highway 58 East towards South Boston. Take first right onto River Point Road. Turn left onto Slayton Avenue at the Cyber Park sign. The ICC is on the hill.
West from Blacksburg-- Take I-81 North to Roanoke. Take exit 143, and merge onto US 220 South to Martinsville. Take the Highway 58 East exit towards Danville. Stay on Highway 58 East towards Greensboro/South Boston. This will take you around Danville. Stay on Highway 58 East / Highway 29 North towards South Boston / Lynchburg. Exit right onto Highway 58 East towards South Boston. Take first right onto River Point Road. Turn left onto Slayton Avenue at the Cyber Park sign. The ICC is on the hill.
Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro-- Take Interstate 40 East. Exit onto Highway 29 North towards Reidsville. Stay on Highway 29 North / Highway 58 East towards South Boston / Lynchburg. Exit at River Park Drive / Dan Daniel Memorial Park exit. Turn right at the top of the ramp, then left on River Point Drive. Turn Right onto Slayton Avenue at the Cyber Park sign and go to the hilltop.
Raleigh Durham International Airport-- Take I-40 West to Highway 147 (Durham Freeway). Stay on 147 until it merges onto I-85 South. Take Exit #170 on US-70 toward Hillsboro. Stay straight on US-70. Turn right onto Highway 86 North in Hillsboro. Take a right onto Highway 29 North. Exit at River Park Drive / Dan Daniel Memorial Park exit. Turn right at the top of the ramp, then left on River Point Drive. Turn Right onto Slayton Avenue at the Cyber Park sign and go to the hilltop.
Train Service The Amtrak Southern Crescent #19 (1-800-USA-RAIL) provides service to Danville’s historic 1899 train station southbound from D.C.’s Union Station, through Alexandria, Manassas, Culpepper, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg to Danville. The train arrives once daily at 11:14pm and departs northbound once daily at 4:57am. Amtrak advertises rates from Charlottesville as low as $27 and as low as $15 from Lynchburg. www.amtrak.com