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.

5 Pre-conference workshops
50+ Concurrent sessions and speakers
50 Tradeshow exhibitors
Register Here Sponsor or exhibit

2027 Conference

Who you will hear from

Our two keynotes are below. The full program lists all 50+ sessions and the people giving them.

See all sessions and speakers

What happens at the conference

Twelve threads, three days, one weekend in Roanoke.

Pre-conference intensives

Five optional, deep-dive workshops on Friday: small groups, hands-on, half- or full-day.

Concurrent sessions

50+ sessions and speakers across Saturday and Sunday: 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.

Friday welcome reception

New this year. A relaxed Friday reception to connect with attendees, vendors, and sponsors.

Local food summit

On Friday. Details being confirmed.

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.

Conference agenda

The full schedule, Friday to Sunday.

Pick a session to read its description, or a name to meet the speaker.

Friday

  1. 9:00 am–4:30 pm

  2. 1:00 pm–4:30 pm

  3. 5:00 pm–7:00 pm

    • Welcome Reception

      New this year. Come network and mingle with fellow farmers and partners.

Saturday

  1. 8:15 am

  2. 9:45 am–11:00 am

  3. 11:15 am–12:30 pm

  4. 2:15 pm–3:30 pm

  5. 3:45 pm–5:00 pm

  6. 5:30 pm–7:30 pm

    • Buyer Grower Social

  7. 5:30 pm–11:00 pm

    • Brewery Fundraiser

Sunday

  1. 8:15 am

  2. 9:45 am–11:00 am

  3. 11:15 am–12:30 pm

  4. 2:15 pm–3:30 pm

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.

Register as a conference sponsor, exhibitor, or Taste of Virginia vendor.

Sponsors and exhibitors

Put your name in front of every Virginia grower in the room.

Six packages, from $650 to $15,000.

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.

Two exhibitors smiling behind the Certified Naturally Grown booth at the 2025 VABF ConferencePhoto: 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 room

Volunteer

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 volunteer

Scholarships

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