Rural Forum Offering Innovative Ideas
Registration is underway now for the 10th Annual Forum for Rural Innovation, a day-long conference featuring insights into what’s new and successful in local agriculture. The event is aimed at farmers, rural landowners, business owners, educators, government officials and economic developers.
“This 10-year event is a cooperative effort of seven agricultural development and cooperative extension offices in the region,” said Kellie Hinkle, Loudoun’s Agricultural Development Officer. “It’s a great opportunity to find out what is succeeding now, and what the rural community is doing to ensure that farming continues to be successful in the future.”
Located again this year at the Best Western Lee-Jackson Conference Center in Winchester, a few of the conference highlights will include:
- Hinkle will share how she and a team of stakeholders engaged the rural community and worked together to create the 2013 Rural Economy Business Development Strategy.
- Planners from four regional counties will discuss how their specific local planning policies and regulations affect the success of agriculture in their communities.
- Dr. Kim Niewolny of Virginia Tech will explain how the university is improving opportunities for new farmers and ranchers in Virginia.
- The 2013 Innovation Awards will be presented to four leading rural businesses in recognition of their success in adapting new methods of agricultural business development.
The event is limited to 150 participants, and registration information is available by calling 703-777-0426. The $40 forum registration fee also includes access to exhibits, lunch and refreshments. Food and beverages will be provided from local farms and vendors, including Orr’s Farm Market of Berkeley County, West Virginia; the Blue Ridge Cattlemen’s Association; Mackintosh Fruit Farm and Locke Store of Clarke County, Virginia; Oak Spring Dairy in Fauquier County, Virginia; Young Harvests and Black Dog Coffee of Jefferson County, West Virginia; and George’s Mill Creamery and South Street Under of Loudoun County, Virginia.