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Virginia Association for Biological Farming
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  • 26th annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference
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    A person standing on a wooden bridge surrounded by trees at sunset.

    News & Resources

    Produce Safety Rule Draft Guidance Recorded Webinar: How and Why Growers Should Comment Colorful poster for Southern Exposure Seed Exchange with garden imagery.VABF News

    Produce Safety Rule Draft Guidance Recorded Webinar: How and Why Growers Should Comment

    Educational Webinars Produce Safety Rule Draft Guidance Recorded Webinar: How and Why Growers Should Comment…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminApril 17, 2019
    Carrot and Stinging Nettle Moss Cake & Cupcakes A dessert topped with green crumbles and purple flowers.RecipesVABF News

    Carrot and Stinging Nettle Moss Cake & Cupcakes

    Two flavors from the season spring from the earth into these beautiful, delicious and nutritious…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 17, 2019
    Book Review: The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration Book cover featuring red okra on a red background with green text.Book ReviewsVABF News

    Book Review: The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration

    The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration Chris Smith, Chelsea Green, June 2019 ISBN…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 17, 2019
    April Policy Updates A financial document comparing loan details and EMI calculations.PolicyVABF News

    April Policy Updates

    2019 Conservation Stewardship Program Open for Signup Deadline for Initial Application is May 10  …
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 17, 2019
    April Gardening Tips Close-up of green papaya plant leaves.Garden TipsVABF News

    April Gardening Tips

    April is the month to start your succession plantings of beets, lettuce and carrots every…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 17, 2019
    ASIAN RICE NOODLES & VEGGIES Fresh bok choy and sliced shiitake mushrooms on a wooden surface.Recipes

    ASIAN RICE NOODLES & VEGGIES

      Makes 4 entree servings or 6-8 side dish servings.   ½ lb. Size M…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 13, 2019
    Book Review: The Seed Underground: Growing a Revolution to Save Seeds Various seeds labeled for planting in small containers.Book ReviewsVABF News

    Book Review: The Seed Underground: Growing a Revolution to Save Seeds

    Book Review The Seed Underground: Growing a Revolution to Save Seeds Janisse Ray Chelsea Green,…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 13, 2019
    March Policy Updates: NRCS National Conservation Practice Standards, USDA listening sessions & President’s 2020 Budget A yellow sphere encircled by two green arrows forming a ring.PolicyVABF News

    March Policy Updates: NRCS National Conservation Practice Standards, USDA listening sessions & President’s 2020 Budget

    Review of NRCS National Conservation Practice Standards Public input requested.  Deadline April 25   In…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 13, 2019
    March Vegetable Gardening Tips A close-up of purple and green leafy plants.Garden TipsVABF News

    March Vegetable Gardening Tips

    Last month had such variable weather that I hope you were able to take time…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 13, 2019
    Organic diet intervention significantly reduces urinary pesticide levels in U.S. children and adults Yellow flowers blooming among green leaves at night.Articles and ResearchVABF News

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

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminFebruary 13, 2019
    Farmer John’s Column February 2019 A woman with braided hair amidst purple flowers in a green garden.VABF News

    Farmer John’s Column February 2019

    Leah Penniman is a bright light with lots to say, and we need to hear her messages…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkFebruary 13, 2019
    Shiitake Kombu Miso Broth A bowl of clear soup with herbs and spices.RecipesVABF News

    Shiitake Kombu Miso Broth

    SHIITAKE KOMBU MISO BROTH Makes about 6 cups (4-6 servings) ½ ounce dried organic kelp…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkFebruary 12, 2019
    February 2019 Policy Updates: NSAC Meeting, Green New Deal, VA Delegates A smiling man wearing a hat and bow tie.PolicyVABF News

    February 2019 Policy Updates: NSAC Meeting, Green New Deal, VA Delegates

    National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Meets in DC to Identify and Initiate Next Steps What happens…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkFebruary 12, 2019
    The New Organic Grower Book Review Cover of 'The New Organic Grower' book with a man holding a hoe.Book ReviewsVABF News

    The New Organic Grower Book Review

    The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkFebruary 12, 2019
    2019 February Gardening Tips Rows of young green plants growing in soil.Garden TipsVABF News

    2019 February Gardening Tips

    Here in central Virginia February is the month to start sowing seeds so by mid-month…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkFebruary 12, 2019
    Mulches and Soil Fertility Young green onion plants growing in straw mulch.Articles and Research

    Mulches and Soil Fertility

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminFebruary 7, 2019
    2018 NEMA Agroforestry Webinar Series Abstract bamboo stalks in black and green on white.VABF News

    2018 NEMA Agroforestry Webinar Series

    Join us for the 2018-19 NEMA Agroforestry Webinar Series! Neither Wild nor Cultivated: Insights into…
    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminJanuary 24, 2019
    Book Review: The Organic Seed Grower: A Farmer’s Guide to Vegetable Seed Production Cover of 'Organic Seed Grower' by John Navazio showing two farmers working in a field.Book ReviewsVABF News

    Book Review: The Organic Seed Grower: A Farmer’s Guide to Vegetable Seed Production

    by John Navazio The slower growing season has arrived, and we start to think about…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkDecember 18, 2018
    Farmer John’s Column, December Smiling older woman in a red turtleneck sweater outdoors.VABF News

    Farmer John’s Column, December

    Becoming Jeffersons people. Thank God its over. The political junkies among us probably have a…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkDecember 18, 2018
    Sausage Balls A plate of homemade shumai dumplings with corn.Recipes

    Sausage Balls

    This time of year it’s nice to have a simple appetizer recipe that you can…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkDecember 18, 2018
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    A red rose with green leaves on a white background.
    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
      • Grants & Funding
      • Job Opportunities
      • Policy
      • Recipes
      • Surveys & Action Items
      • Resources
    • VABF Projects
    • Find a Farm
    • Donate
    • Join or Renew
    • Member Benefits
      • List your Farm/Business
      • List an Event
      • List a Job Opportunity
      • List a Classified
      • Manage Listings
      • Volunteer
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