• Join
  • Member Benefits
    • List your Farm/Business
    • List an Event
    • List a Job Opportunity
    • List a Classified
    • Volunteer
    • Learning Library
  • Log In
Virginia Association for Biological Farming
  • About VABF
  • Events
    • Virginia Farming Event Calendar
  • 2022 Biological Farming Conference
  • News & Resources
    • Articles and Research
    • Book Reviews
    • Classifieds
    • Gardening Tips
    • Grants & Funding
    • Job Opportunities
    • Policy
    • Recipes
    • Reko Market Startup
    • Surveys & Action Items
    • Virginia Farming Resources
  • Find a Farm
  • Connect
  • Donate
    • Kroger Community Rewards
    • Amazon Smile
    • Ovanova Solar Energy Initiative
  • Join
  • Member Benefits
    • List your Farm/Business
    • List an Event
    • List a Job Opportunity
    • List a Classified
    • Volunteer
    • Log In
Press enter to begin your search
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
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 SchonbeckApril 27, 2021
Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVABF News

FARMS UNDER THREAT: THE STATE OF THE STATES Executive Summary

VABF Admin
VABF AdminMay 23, 2020
Articles and ResearchVA Farming ResourcesVirginia Farming Resources

Resilient Seed Systems Shared Action Framework

VABF Admin
VABF AdminApril 16, 2020
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
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
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
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
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 SchonbeckApril 30, 2019
Articles and ResearchVABF News

Organic diet intervention significantly reduces urinary pesticide levels in U.S. children and adults

VABF Admin
VABF AdminFebruary 13, 2019
Articles and Research

Mulches and Soil Fertility

VABF Admin
VABF AdminFebruary 7, 2019
Articles and ResearchVABF News

Organic Practices for Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, and Carbon Sequestration

Press Release Contact: Diana Jerkins, Research Program Director (831) 426-6606 December 4, 2018—Today the Organic…
Mark Schonbeck
Mark SchonbeckDecember 4, 2018
Articles and ResearchVABF News

Report: Agricultural Cooperatives

Opportunities and Challenges for African American Women in the South November 8, 2018 | Michael Paarlberg…
VABF Admin
VABF AdminNovember 27, 2018
Articles and ResearchVABF News

How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch

Online Version (Free): Download File Online Text Version Print Version: Free This 32-page Ag Innovations…
VABF Admin
VABF AdminOctober 17, 2018
Articles and Research

Bugs in a Jug: making the best use of Microbial-Based Biostimulants (MBBS)

Recent years have seen a proliferation of commercial microbial products that are claimed to improve…
VABF Admin
VABF AdminAugust 30, 2018
Articles and Research

Fresh from the Fields: OFRF Farmer Stories

Farmer stories are often the best way to gain practical, down-to-earth information and guidance to…
VABF Admin
VABF AdminAugust 30, 2018
Articles and Research

Reduced Tillage and Cover Cropping Systems for Organic Vegetable Production

 
VABF Admin
VABF AdminJuly 31, 2018
Articles and Research

Caring for the Soil as a Living System

VABF Admin
VABF AdminMarch 31, 2018
Articles and Research

Cover Cropping: On-farm Solar-powered Soil Building

VABF Admin
VABF AdminMarch 15, 2018
Articles and Research

Tomatoes: Organic Production in Virginia

VABF Admin
VABF AdminNovember 30, 2017
Next Entries »

News & Resources

  • Articles and Research
  • Book Reviews
  • Classifieds
  • Gardening Tips
  • Grants & Funding
  • Job Opportunities
  • Policy
  • Recipes
  • Surveys & Action Items
  • VA Farming Resources
admin@vabf.org

vabfarming

VABF's mission is to educate about, advocate for, and promote organic and biological farming and gardening.
@vabfarming #vabf www.VABF.org

VABF
Speaker Proposals are being accepted for the 22nd Speaker Proposals are being accepted for the 22nd annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference which will be held in-person January 22nd-24th, 2022 at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. Themes for this year include Soil Health, Regenerative Grazing, & Beginning Farmers; however, all topics related to organic and biological farming and gardening will be considered. Proposals are being accepted for half and full-day Pre-Conference Workshops (Saturday, January 22nd) and Conference Sessions (Sunday, January 23rd & Monday, January 24th). Please submit this form by September 15th, 2021: https://forms.gle/zibjRuT9YPbF4CkB9 *link in bio* Questions? Email Lindsay at coordinator@vabf.org #VABF #agriculture #organicfarming #organic #virginiagrown #virginiaorganic #virginiaisforfarmlovers #virginiaagriculture #teachgrowlearn
Did you miss our Soil Health Webinar Series earlie Did you miss our Soil Health Webinar Series earlier this year? Now you can watch all of those excellent presentations (and more!) on the *new* VABF YouTube Channel! Link in bio, or type: bit.ly/VABFyoutube 🌱 Dig deep in to soil health with Dan Kittredge, Pam Dawling, Mark Schonbeck, and Cedric Shannon. 🍅 Learn about Lean Farming, Yoga for Farmers, Injury Prevention, Social Media for Farmers, and Winter High Tunnel Growing in Virginia in our series hosted in partnership with the Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition. 🌾 Discover how to better protect your crops from insect damage and disease in our three-part educational series created in partnership with the Common Grain Alliance. 🐓 Enjoy the Common Ground Soil Stories series with explorations into soil health on Laughing Water Farm (located in Marion, Virginia). Right now we're building our collection of past VABF Conference presentations. Let us know if you have recordings to share! P.S. More news on the VABF Conference coming soon! 🌿🎉 #Farming #virginiafarmers #organicfood #VABF
🎉🌱🌿🌳🌎Tomorrow, June 23rd, is Nation 🎉🌱🌿🌳🌎Tomorrow, June 23rd, is National Soil Health Day! 🌍🌳🌿🌱🎉 Celebrate with us by helping to launch #4theSoil! ·· Build the movement by learning more and pledging that you are #4theSoil at 4theSoil.org/#Pledge 🍀link in bio🍀 Ira Wallace of @southernexposureseed, Amy Hicks of @amysorganicgarden, and Renard Turner of Vanguard Ranch are just a few of the amazing Virginia farmers who have already pledged to be 4 the Soil! ·· Join @4thesoilva at 2pm on Wednesday, June 23rd for a Facebook Live event (see Events on Facebook @4theSoilVA) We'll hear from some of the Virginia farmers who have pledged to be 4 the Soil about their commitment to soil health! ·· Visit the Tip & Resources at 4theSoil.org to learn more about how to be 4 the Soil and what that means for the health of our planet. You can start today by following the four core principles of healthy soil management: 1. ​Keep Soil Covered It’s the first step in protecting it from erosion, but also buffers soil temperature, slows rainfall runoff, and aids rainfall infiltration. 2. Minimize Soil Disturbance ​Both physical and chemical. This proactive measure can heal and protect properties of the soil and ultimately enhance the biological component of soil life. 3. ​Maximize Living Roots ​Doing this longer throughout the year fuels biological activity, aids nutrient cycling, and contributes to improved soil structure. 4. ​Energize with Diversity ​Use different crop species and integrate livestock where possible for specific purposes to enhance chemical, physical and/ or biological aspects of the soil. It improves the whole system. Let's create a movement of #SoilLovers · #PlantLovers · #EarthLovers & #ChangeMakers - tell a friend, share the post, make the changes in your own backyard and become a 4 the Soil Ambassador to the world! 4 the Soil is an initiative of Virginia Tech and an awareness campaign of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition. #4theSoil #4theFuture #4theFarmers #4theFood #4theBees #4thePlants #4thePeople #4theAnimals #4theWater #4theBay #4theOcean #4theWorld
Celebrate National Soil Health Day next Wednesday, Celebrate National Soil Health Day next Wednesday, June 23rd with the launch of the "4 the Soil" initiative! Centered in Virginia and stewarded by VA Tech Co-operative Extension and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, 4 the Soil will build awareness about the critical importance of soil and following four core principles of healthy soil management - in VA, regionally and across the country. “Soil and water are the basis for all of life – human, animal, and plant,” said Danny Boyer of Four Winds Farm. “We need to sustain soil and water for ourselves and for future generations. Therefore, we all need to be 4 the Soil.” Find more of their partner organizations and farms (including many VABF member farms) on their website, find resources for how to be 4 the Soil, and get on their Mailing List for updates: 4theSoil.org IG @4thesoilva FB 4 the Soil
VABF has been supporting local biological and orga VABF has been supporting local biological and organic farming and gardening since 1978! VABF members include farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, students, teachers, researchers, and general supporters of local and sustainable food systems. We'd love to have you join us! https://vabf.org/join-or-renew/#join This week, VABF members can enjoy free access to "Understanding your Finances" with C&F Bank and Foodshed Capital - find event details from Real Local RVA: https://reallocalrva.com/event/understanding-your-finances-a-virtual-workshop/ All VABF members also have access to our Partner Discount Code Page (on the VABF website). Right now, don't miss 7% from Seven Springs Farm Supply! #organicfood #farming #localfood #VABF
Join us tomorrow for an exploration into building Join us tomorrow for an exploration into building soil health through rotational grazing with Cedric Shannon of @weathertopfarm! 🍀🐄🌱🐖Soil Health from the Grazier's Perspective 🌿🐑☘️🐓 Thursday, April 8th · 12 noon - 1:30 pm · Webinar with live Q&A · Replay & slides will be shared after · $15 / $10 VABF Members Register: https://bit.ly/Weathertopfarm (Link to VABF Events Page in Bio)
We've partnered with @commongrainalliance to produ We've partnered with @commongrainalliance to produce a series of free webinars about "Protecting Your Crops." The third and final webinar in the series will be April 13th with Charlie House of Earth and Sky Solutions about Flame Weeding! Charlie will discuss flame weeding for small and large scale operations, from gardens to market farms. · Next week, we will be hosting another webinar - Soil Health From The Grazier's Perspective with Cedric Shannon of Weathertop Farm. This webinar is one of our paid webinars that directly support VABF ($15/$10 for VABF Members). · Stay tuned to our newsletter and website for more webinars! · *Link to all VABF Events in Bio*
This Friday join us for the next VABF Webinar: Bui This Friday join us for the next VABF Webinar: Building Soil Health to Sustain Virginia's Farms and Protect Water Quality: an Organic Approach with Mark Schonbeck. $15 / $10 VABF Members Register to join: https://bit.ly/VABF_Mark In addition to his work with the Organic Farming Research Foundation, Mark serves as VABF policy liaison with National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition of which VABF is a member group, and writes the policy update column for the monthly VABF newsletter. In the past, Mark has led or participated in several on-farm research projects conducted by Virginia Association for Biological Farming, and collaborated with VABF and National Center for Appropriate Technology to help USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service programs better serve organic producers. We're looking forward to learning more from Mark and hope to see you there!
Re-Open Woodson's Mill! Sign the Petition: http:// Re-Open Woodson's Mill! Sign the Petition: http://bit.ly/Petition_CGA From Common Grain Alliance (@commongrainalliance) "Deep Roots Milling is a founding CGA member business and operates the historic Woodson’s Mill, the last commercially run water-powered mill in the state of Virginia and a cornerstone of Nelson County. In November, VDACS ordered Deep Roots Milling to cease operations because the historic mill did not comply with a new food safety regulation. We believe this new regulation does not take into account the needs of the milling industry, or the preservation of a historic building. Deep Roots Milling is a large buyer of Virginia-grown grain; its closure is a major setback to the emergent grain economy in Virginia. Join us in asking Secretary Ring to allow Deep Roots Milling to resume operation until the new regulations can be amended to protect the milling industry and historical milling infrastructure. Originally built in the 1790s, Woodson's Mill has been in continual operation throughout most of its history. It remains an integral part of the regional grain economy in Virginia today. As the mill’s current stewards, Deep Roots Milling is the primary producer of Virginia-grown grain products in the region, if not the entire state.
We have so much to share these days! The best way We have so much to share these days! The best way to stay up to date is to sign up for our newsletter (link in bio). · Today in the newsletter we sent out an #actionalert about the FDA's proposed traceability rule that could negatively affect small farms. Comments are needed from #farmers to urge the FDA to modify this rule and not place excessive traceability burdens on our small farms. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition & Carolina Farm Stewardship Association have shared guidance on how to send in your comments. · If you were thinking about joining us for Pam Dawling's webinar on Feeding the Soil you still have a chance! The new date is next Thursday, 2/25. Just from peeking at the handout Pam has sent over we can already say this webinar will be worth joining! Topics covered will include growing and maintaining healthy soils, crop rotations, cover crops, compost making, & organic mulches. · We also have more webinars to share, including Yoga for Farmers (with VBFRC) and Building Soil Health with Mark Schonbeck. · Go to VABF.org/events to register!
We invite you to join us next Thursday for the sec We invite you to join us next Thursday for the second VABF-hosted webinar: Feeding the Soil with Pam Dawling, author of Sustainable Market Farming and The Year-Round Hoophouse. In this workshop Pam will introduce ways to grow and maintain healthy soils, including: ·· how to develop a permanent crop rotation in 7 steps (and why your soil will benefit from this) ·· how to choose appropriate cover crops ·· how to make compost ·· how to benefit from using organic mulches You can apply these principles from backyard to homestead and beyond. Register today at VABF.org/events (link in bio) $15 / $10 VABF Members With these webinars we hope to support VABF while highlighting some amazing teachers in the field of regenerative agriculture and biological farming. This webinar will consist of Pam's presentation followed by a Live Q and A session. Audio recording with slides and notes will be emailed after the event to all who register. Check out our story for some more great webinars and events we wish to share with you! #farmer #growfood #feedthesoil #VABF #soilhealth #biologicalfarming #farmingwebinar
Dan Kittredge, founder of the Bionutrient Food Ass Dan Kittredge, founder of the Bionutrient Food Association, will be joining VABF tomorrow, February 2nd at 12 noon ET to teach us how to grow more nutrient dense food through practical applications and suggestions. There's still time to join, register on our website! https://bit.ly/VABF_DK · If you're interested in continuing to learn about creating healthy soil to produce food with higher nutritional content, the BFA's 10th Annual Soil & Nutrition Conference begins this Thursday, February 4th. The Conference this year will be weekly web-based sessions every Thursday from 3-4:30pm ET from February to September. At checkout be sure to use code VABF to send $25 to directly support us! Check out their website for more on this great conference! https://soilandnutrition.org/
Load More Photos... Follow on Instagram

© 2021 Virginia Association for Biological Farming.

  • About VABF
  • Events
    • Virginia Farming Event Calendar
  • 2022 Biological Farming Conference
  • News & Resources
    • Articles and Research
    • Book Reviews
    • Classifieds
    • Gardening Tips
    • Grants & Funding
    • Job Opportunities
    • Policy
    • Recipes
    • Reko Market Startup
    • Surveys & Action Items
    • Virginia Farming Resources
  • Find a Farm
  • Connect
  • Donate
    • Kroger Community Rewards
    • Amazon Smile
    • Ovanova Solar Energy Initiative
  • Join
  • Member Benefits
    • List your Farm/Business
    • List an Event
    • List a Job Opportunity
    • List a Classified
    • Volunteer
    • Log In