Pre-conference intensives
Eight optional, deep-dive workshops on Friday: small groups, hands-on, often half- or full-day.
The 27th Annual Conference · January 8–10, 2027
The largest gathering of organic and biological growers in Virginia.
Three days at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center bringing together farmers, gardeners, consumers, educators, industry professionals, and advocates of sustainable, regenerative, biological, and organic agriculture.
8
Pre-conference workshops
56
Concurrent sessions
60+
Speakers
50
Tradeshow exhibitors
2027 Conference
Who you will hear from
Keynotes are confirmed. The rest of the lineup is announced as speakers are booked.
What happens at the conference
Twelve threads, three days, one weekend in Roanoke.
Concurrent sessions
56 sessions across Saturday and Sunday with 60+ speakers: workshops, panels, and presentations.
Locally-sourced farm meals
Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments thoughtfully prepared with ingredients purchased from member farms.
Tradeshow
Up to 50 exhibitor tables in the Roanoke ballroom, with direct access to every attendee.
Youth program (ages 6–13)
A fun, interactive, and educational program on Saturday and Sunday for the kids of conference-going families.
Silent auction
Bid on unique farm and garden products, books, tools, and homemade gifts. All proceeds support VABF.
Buyer-Grower social
A Saturday-evening connection space for farms looking for wholesale buyers, and buyers looking for sources.
Fireside chats
Informal small-group conversations with farmers, presenters, and policy makers throughout the weekend.
Local Food Summit
Part of the conference weekend. Details are being confirmed and will be posted here.
Morning yoga for farmers
Quiet, slow, hour-long sessions before sessions start, built for bodies that did this work all year.
Book sales and author signings
A pop-up bookstore featuring the speakers and presenters, with sit-down signing time built into the agenda.
Scholarships
A limited number of need-based scholarships, funded by sponsorships and donations. Apply by December 31.
Past keynotes
The kind of voices the VABF Conference brings to Roanoke.
Photo: Daniel James 2023 keynote · Leah Penniman
Black Earth Wisdom: Afro-ecological survival strategies.
Ecological humility is part of the cultural heritage of Black people. While our 400+ years immersion in racial capitalism has attempted to squash that connection to the sacred earth, there are those who persist in believing that the land and waters are family members, and who act accordingly.
Founding co-director of Soul Fire Farm. The 2023 keynote at the VABF Annual Conference.
The 2027 keynotes are Jesse Frost and Michael Carter, Jr.
Free and open to the public
The Taste of Virginia Expo & Market
Saturday, January 9 · 12 to 6 PM · Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Roanoke
Sampling and sales of Virginia-crafted foods, local libations, hand-made goods, herbals, and more. Included in conference registration, and free to the public on Saturday: the lowest-barrier way to step into VABF for the first time.
Sponsors and exhibitors
Put your name in front of every Virginia grower in the room.
Five packages, from $650 to $10,000.
Sponsorship carries brand recognition, conference registrations, program advertising and tradeshow access, and this year an early hour with attendees at the Friday welcome reception. Booth specs, program ad sizes and the December deadline are all on the sponsors page.
Photo: Daniel James Registration
Come for a day, or all three.
Every registration includes breakfast, lunch and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday, prepared with ingredients bought from VABF member farms. Members pay less at every level. Full rates, the youth and teen program, pre-conference workshops and scholarships are on the registration page.
Travel & lodging
Hotel Roanoke
A VABF room block is available at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. Downtown Roanoke restaurants and shops are an easy walk via the pedestrian bridge near the hotel entrance.
Reserve a roomVolunteer
Help us run it
Volunteers receive access to the event and meals on the days they work. We accept all volunteers 18 and over, and a limited number ages 15–17. Most volunteer shifts are half a day.
Apply to volunteerScholarships
Need-based assistance
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available, funded by sponsorships and donations. Apply by December 31, and all applicants will be notified by year-end.
Apply for a scholarship