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    A person standing on a wooden bridge surrounded by trees at sunset.

    News & Resources

    Recipe: Herb-Crusted Pastured Chicken A cooked whole chicken in a pan.Recipes

    Recipe: Herb-Crusted Pastured Chicken

    If you can’t find local pasture-raised poultry at your farmer’s market in June then you…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkJune 16, 2018
    Garden Tips For June: Mulching and Sowing Successions Powdery mildew on squash plant leaves with yellow flowers.Garden Tips

    Garden Tips For June: Mulching and Sowing Successions

    Early in June  mulch tomatoes, peppers, okra, squash, cucumbers and asparagus if it hasn't already…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkJune 16, 2018
    Book Review: The Tao of Vegetable Gardening: Cultivating Tomatoes, Greens, Peas, Beans, Squash, Joy and Serenity Book cover of "The Tao of Vegetable Gardening" by Carol Deppe with vegetables in the background.Book Reviews

    Book Review: The Tao of Vegetable Gardening: Cultivating Tomatoes, Greens, Peas, Beans, Squash, Joy and Serenity

    An independent and iconoclastic gardener, Carol introduces each chapter with a passage from her own…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkJune 16, 2018
    House Farm Bill Defeated A woman with glasses speaking outdoors against a blue sky.Policy

    House Farm Bill Defeated

    On May 18, 30 Republican Representatives joined 183 Democrats to defeat HR 2, the Agriculture…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkJune 16, 2018
    WANTED! Yes, you! VABF News

    WANTED! Yes, you!

    We have two existing board positions recently vacated and would like to fill them asap. …
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkJune 16, 2018
    Garden Tips For May: Weeding, Thinning and Sowing Fresh green and red lettuce leaves growing closely together.Garden Tips

    Garden Tips For May: Weeding, Thinning and Sowing

    When May comes around it’s time to start weeding and thinning. Thin your beets and…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMay 16, 2018
    Book Review: The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast Illustration of green peppers with gardening tips for the Southeast region.Book Reviews

    Book Review: The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast

    By Ira Wallace January 2014, 200 pages, $19.95. ISBN-13: 978-1-60469-371-3 This book is valuable firstly to…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMay 15, 2018
    Recipe: Arugula Salad with Strawberries and Asparagus A fresh salad with strawberries, almonds, and cheese on greens.Recipes

    Recipe: Arugula Salad with Strawberries and Asparagus

    The first signs of spring bring cravings for fresh greens and salads. From chickweed to…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMay 15, 2018
    Recipe: Spring Frittata with Morels, Asparagus and Spring Greens A cheesy vegetable omelette with bread on the side.Recipes

    Recipe: Spring Frittata with Morels, Asparagus and Spring Greens

    Our calendars say we are four weeks into spring but we had snow flurries April…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 17, 2018
    Agricultural Policy: Farm Bill Action Updates, Soil Health Webinar, SARE Grant Applications, 2018 Appropriations Bill Freshly harvested carrots from Richmond Farm Tour with a hand holding them.Policy

    Agricultural Policy: Farm Bill Action Updates, Soil Health Webinar, SARE Grant Applications, 2018 Appropriations Bill

    Farm Bill Action As congress returns from its two week Easter Recess, the 2018 Farm…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 16, 2018
    Garden Tips For April: Succession Planting, Seeds to Start, Ordering Sweet Potatoes & More Freshly harvested orange and purple carrots laid on soil with green tops.Garden Tips

    Garden Tips For April: Succession Planting, Seeds to Start, Ordering Sweet Potatoes & More

    Early in April is a good time to harden off your cabbages, broccoli and other…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 16, 2018
    Book Review: Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers Book Reviews

    Book Review: Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers

    by Lisa Kivirist New Society Publishers, 2016, ISBN 978-0-86571-805-0. $24.95 Although women are not a minority,…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkApril 16, 2018
    Caring for the Soil as a Living System Black and white diagram of plant root cells and structures.Articles and Research

    Caring for the Soil as a Living System

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminMarch 31, 2018
    Book Review: The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook Cover of The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower's Handbook featuring colorful tomatoes and a greenhouse.Book Reviews

    Book Review: The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook

    by Andrew Mefferd Organic Vegetable Production Using Protected Culture. Chelsea Green March 2017, $34.95 ISBN 978-1-60358-637-5…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 15, 2018
    Cover Cropping: On-farm Solar-powered Soil Building A green grassy path between two rows of dried crops.Articles and Research

    Cover Cropping: On-farm Solar-powered Soil Building

    VABF Admin
    VABF AdminMarch 15, 2018
    VABF Tips: Fabric Grow Bag to SIP: Three Easy Steps VABF News

    VABF Tips: Fabric Grow Bag to SIP: Three Easy Steps

    I hope you will excuse me, but I start this article off with an assumption!…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 14, 2018
    Recipes: Dandelion Salad, Cookies, and Maple Mushroom Martinis Recipes

    Recipes: Dandelion Salad, Cookies, and Maple Mushroom Martinis

    The inspiration for this month’s recipes come from the tastes of late winter when the…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 14, 2018
    March Gardening Tips: Planting and Transplanting Garden Tips

    March Gardening Tips: Planting and Transplanting

    March is the perfect time to sow radishes. They're quick and easy to do right…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 14, 2018
    Agricultural Policy: Special Opportunity to Build a Better Farm Bill Smiling elderly man with white hair and beard outdoors.Policy

    Agricultural Policy: Special Opportunity to Build a Better Farm Bill

    Call your Representative today! The House Agriculture Committee is drafting its proposed 2018 Farm Bill…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkMarch 14, 2018
    February Garden Tips: Tips from a Master Gardener Garden Tips

    February Garden Tips: Tips from a Master Gardener

    F is for February and flats.  In early February, be sure you have all your…
    Mark Schonbeck Mark
    Mark Schonbeck MarkFebruary 14, 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.

    Close Menu
    • 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
    • Log In
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