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Virginia Association for Biological Farming
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  • 26th annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference
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    Why Does Diversity in Plant Species Causes Higher Farming Yield? Soil pathogens harmful to plants have a harder time thriving amongst diverse plant species Audience listening to a presentation in a conference room.Articles and Research

    Why Does Diversity in Plant Species Causes Higher Farming Yield? Soil pathogens harmful to plants have a harder time thriving amongst diverse plant species

    LAWRENCE, Kan. — A study appearing in Nature Communications based on field and greenhouse experiments at the University of…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminDecember 27, 2023
    SOUTHERN PIEDMONT CLIMATE-SMART PROJECT Aerial view of agricultural fields with different crops growing in striped patterns.Articles and ResearchProjectsVABF News

    SOUTHERN PIEDMONT CLIMATE-SMART PROJECT

    Rodale Institute, in partnership with a team of twelve universities, farming NGOs, and consulting firms,…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminJune 19, 2023
    Transitioning to Organic Production Audience watching a presentation in a conference room.Articles and ResearchVA Farming Resources

    Transitioning to Organic Production

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminJanuary 25, 2023
    2022 National Organic Research Agenda A herd of sheep grazing in a sunny green field with a cow nearby.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVABF NewsVirginia Farming Resources

    2022 National Organic Research Agenda

    The Organic Farming Research Foundation presents the 2022 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA), a report…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminDecember 26, 2022
    Sowing Hunger – Reaping Profits Report A colorful poster titled 'Sowing Hunger and Profits' with agricultural imagery.Articles and ResearchVABF News

    Sowing Hunger – Reaping Profits Report

     
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkOctober 25, 2022
    Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future A scenic farm landscape with a river and hills under a partly cloudy sky.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVABF NewsVirginia Farming Resources

    Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future

    Farms Under Threat is American Farmland Trust’s multi-year initiative to document the status of and threats…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminJuly 25, 2022
    State of the Organic Seed – Organic Seed Alliance Schedule of sessions for a conference day with times and topics.Articles and ResearchInformation Sheet Archives

    State of the Organic Seed – Organic Seed Alliance

    State of Organic Seed (SOS) is an ongoing project to monitor organic seed systems in the…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminMarch 30, 2022
    2022 National Organic Research Agenda – Organic Farming Research Foundation Cover of 2022 National Organic Research Agenda.Articles and ResearchInformation Sheet Archives

    2022 National Organic Research Agenda – Organic Farming Research Foundation

    2022 National Organic Research Agenda The Organic Farming Research Foundation presents the 2022 National Organic Research…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminMarch 30, 2022
    Beneficial Uses of Cover Crops- VCE Fact Sheet Rows of green bean plants growing with bamboo supports in a garden.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVirginia Farming Resources

    Beneficial Uses of Cover Crops- VCE Fact Sheet

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminMarch 30, 2022
    Building Soils for Better Crops: Ecological Management for Healthy Soils A bowl of creamy pumpkin soup garnished with sliced almonds.Articles and Research

    Building Soils for Better Crops: Ecological Management for Healthy Soils

    SARE Outreach Fred Magdoff, Harold van Es | 2021 | 394 pages
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminOctober 21, 2021
    Can direct-market vegetable farmers make a middle-class income? A scarecrow in a farm field with a house and birds.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVirginia Farming Resources

    Can direct-market vegetable farmers make a middle-class income?

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminSeptember 23, 2021
    Soil Health Benchmarks 2021 Report – Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Flyer for a workshop on community-scale food waste composting in Virginia.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVirginia Farming Resources

    Soil Health Benchmarks 2021 Report – Pasa Sustainable Agriculture

    Photo: New Morning Farm, Huntingdon County, PA. Photos for this post provided by Pasa. Editor’s…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminApril 27, 2021
    New Soil Health Guidebook for the Southern Region Freshly harvested sweet potatoes with green leaves.Articles and ResearchVirginia Farming Resources

    New Soil Health Guidebook for the Southern Region

    New Soil Health Guidebook for the Southern Region The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 27, 2021
    FARMS UNDER THREAT: THE STATE OF THE STATES Executive Summary Logo of American Farmland Trust with a green farm silhouette.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVABF News

    FARMS UNDER THREAT: THE STATE OF THE STATES Executive Summary

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminMay 23, 2020
    Resilient Seed Systems Shared Action Framework A variety of colorful beans and lentils arranged in a wooden grid.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVirginia Farming Resources

    Resilient Seed Systems Shared Action Framework

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminApril 16, 2020
    The Agricultural Justice Project: Social Stewardship Standards in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Two hands tightly grasping a flower with words radiating around them.Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVirginia Farming Resources

    The Agricultural Justice Project: Social Stewardship Standards in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminApril 10, 2020
    On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR): The Next Step in Preparing for FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule People working together preparing for compliance in a produce growing setting.Articles and ResearchVABF News

    On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR): The Next Step in Preparing for FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule

       
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminSeptember 18, 2019
    Composting by Permaculture Gardens A volcanic mountain erupting with lava visible.Articles and ResearchVABF News

    Composting by Permaculture Gardens

    "There's no such thing as waste. Just stuff in the wrong place" -Formidable Vegetable.   Permaculture…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminAugust 23, 2019
    Paper Pot Transplanters for Organic Operations Young seedlings growing in soil-filled peat pots on an orange tray.Articles and ResearchVABF News

    Paper Pot Transplanters for Organic Operations

    Transplants in paper pots at Certified Naturally Grown certified Patchwork Farm in Copper Hill, Virginia.…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminMay 16, 2019
    OFRF Continues Funding for Plant Breeding Project A pile of fresh cucumbers with dark green skin.Articles and ResearchVABF News

    OFRF Continues Funding for Plant Breeding Project

    Press Release Contact: Brise Tencer, Executive Director (831) 426-6606 April 29, 2019–Development, testing, and release of…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 30, 2019
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    admin@vabf.org

    1327 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke  VA 25015             434-299-8007
    501(c)(3)  EIN 54-1417875

    VABF’s mission is to educate about, advocate for, and promote organic and biological farming and gardening.

    vabfarming

    Join us at the 26th annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference, January 9th-11th , 2026 in Roanoke, Virginia!
    Tickets are limited, register now! https://rodalei Tickets are limited, register now! https://rodaleinstitute.org/investing-in-regenerative-organic-agriculture/
    Better hurry! The deadline to submit an abstract f Better hurry! The deadline to submit an abstract for our 26th Annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference is approaching fast! Details are in the link in our bio! #vabf #farmingconference #organic
    Join us now as an early supporting Sponsor of the Join us now as an early supporting Sponsor of the 26th Annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference! This year, more than ever, we are asking for your support to secure and grow the future of VABF and the Virginia Biological Farming Conference. Enjoy promotional benefits from your sponsorship date until the Conference in January 2026. Find all the details on our site or via our l°nk·tree Contact us with questions or for a custom sponsorship package!
    Join us as a Speaker for the 26th annual Virginia Join us as a Speaker for the 26th annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference! The Conference will be held January 9th - 11th, 2026 at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. Speaker Proposals are due by August 15th. Speakers will be notified of acceptance before October 1. Proposals are being accepted below for both: ··· Pre-Conference Workshops Half & Full Day Intensives on Friday, 1/9/26 ··· Conference Sessions 90 Minute Sessions on Saturday-Sunday, 1/10 & 11/26 Find out more info including inspiring topics on our Speaker Page at V · A · B · F ◊dot◊ O· R · G
    🌿🌟🌾🥕Save the date! 🥦🌱🌻✨ The 🌿🌟🌾🥕Save the date! 🥦🌱🌻✨ The 26th Annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference will be held in Roanoke, Virginia from January 9th to 11th! #vabfarming #sustainableag #farmingconference
    Highlights from this month's e-news! Highlights from this month's e-news!
    🌾 Interested in renewable energy solutions & sm 🌾 Interested in renewable energy solutions & small grain harvesting? Join us next Saturday for a free event to Explore Small-Scale Organic Grain Farming Equipment & Renewable Energy Solutions with a Field Day at Living Energy Farm! June 21, 2025 1PM to 5PM Louisa, Virginia *Free* Must register in advance! visit vabf · org / events for more info This field day is hosted with sponsorship from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program in partnership with Common Grain Alliance & the Virginia Association of Biological Farming. @commongrainalliance @livingenergyfarm
    VABF 2024 in Review 🌱 Our Farmer Listening Se VABF 2024 in Review 🌱 Our Farmer Listening Sessions, 1-on-1 Farmer Support, and On-Farm Events reached Farmers all over Virginia; providing support for long-time regenerative growers and those just starting in the field. Our Annual Conference was a great success (even through the snow and ice!) and we are thankful for everyone of you who joined us as speakers, vendors, participants and volunteers! Membership continues to grow (join us!) and we look forward to introducing you to our Regional Ambassadors later this year! Find the full Annual Impact Report on V•A•B•F•.•0•R•G Shoutout to @herd.ventures for our Conference Photos (and find the full recording of both keynotes on our YouTube thanks to Daniel as well!)
    A few highlights from our Monthly E-News: 🌱 Ve A few highlights from our Monthly E-News: 🌱 Vegetable Gardening Tips from Ira Wallace: "Time to thin!" 📗 Book Review by Pam Dawling: Food Science for Gardeners 🌾 Policy Updates by Mark Schonbeck plus News & Updates 🌿 Events listed on VABF
    Register today to join us for Monday's Farm Tour & Register today to join us for Monday's Farm Tour & Social at Lazy Pigg Farm in Ferrum, VA. See you there! @roanokefoodshednetwork @lazypiggfarm
    Hey VABF Members! It’s time to vote on Nominees Hey VABF Members! It’s time to vote on Nominees and Current Directors of the VABF Board. Election ends May 29, 2025.
    The Roanoke Foodshed Network, the Virginia Associa The Roanoke Foodshed Network, the Virginia Association for Biological Farming, and Partners present our May Farm Tour with Lazy Pigg Farm ··· Monday, May 19th ··· 3:00-6:00pm ··· Ferrum, Virginia · Please register to join ·· Details on our VABF event calendar! · The Lazy Pigg Farm is a multigenerational farm on 45 acres in Franklin County, Virginia. It was originally a dairy farm, but Dana and Sean Lydon raise Dexter cattle, Katahdin sheep and laying hens. They practice managed intensive rotational grazing to improve soil health and to leave the land better than they found it. In April 2023 they installed five acres of silvopasture. This will provide shade for the animals, as well as fence posts, nuts, and willow for additional forage. The Lydons are also starting woody perennials and perennial flowers to sell through the Blue Ridge Flower Exchange. For more information, contact Becki DeRusseau at becki.derusseau@vabf.org. Detailed directions will be shared with registrants.
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    © 2025 Virginia Association for Biological Farming.

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    • About VABF
    • 26th annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference
      • Registration
      • Event Details
      • Event Schedule
      • Event Location
      • Taste of Virginia
      • Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities
      • Buyer/Grower EXPO
    • Events
    • News & Resources
      • Articles and Research
      • Book Reviews
      • Classified Ads
      • Gardening Tips
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    • Find a Farm
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