Since our last newsletter wishing everyone a happy holiday season, the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, the state of West Virginia, and this country have undergone significant change. While a new year often elicits change, we transition into 2017 with both promising and uncertain change. The West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition's local efforts and our growing food and farm community are essential in resisting and overcoming challenges these coming years. 

As the 2017 legislative session quickly approaches, we'll continue to advocate for a resilient local food system in West Virginia and be actively engaged with our legislators with your support.  Join an issue team to stay informed and participate during this legislative session. Sign up here

Attend Local Food and Farms Day 2017 @ The Legislature on February 23rd in Charleston, West Virginia. Look for more information on Monday. 

Looking forward to seeing all of you this winter season,

West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition

P.S. Be sure to scroll down to the Job Announcements to check out several farm apprenticeship/internship/management positions right here in West Virginia! 

We've Moved!
New Address:  3820 MacCorkle Avenue,
 Charleston, WV 25304
Phone Number:  (304) 926-0567
FOOD AND FARM EVENTS
Visit our events calendar:  http://wvfoodandfarm.org/news-media/events
W.Va. Small Farm Conference on
February 12th-14th in Charleston, WV

WVU Extension Service will be holding their annual Small Farm Conference in Charleston.  The conference is a gathering of small farmers and stakeholders that is filled with educational seminars, networking opportunities, trade shows, auctions, and even seed trades among farmers.  If you would like to learn more about what this conference will be offering, click here.
Southern SAWG 2017 Conference: Practical Tools & Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms
January 25th - 28th, 2017 in Lexington, KY

The SSAWG conference "provides a forum to learn about sustainable farming techniques and marketing strategies, community food systems, and federal farm policies and programs that promote sustainable agriculture." To register, click here.

OEFFA Conference 2017: Growing Today, Transforming Tomorrow on February 9th - 11th in Dayton, Ohio

Attend Ohio's largest sustainable food and farm conference to learn, network, and to be inspired. Workshops address a diverse range of topics including, cover crops, dairy milking facility options, business planning, homeopathy, growing chestnuts, and much more. Learn more and register here online before January 23rd. 

Biological Farming Workshops: Principles & Practices of Biological Management- Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio

Two-day course provides an overview of the principles and practices of biological farming. Our goal is to build upon your knowledge and experience to find ways to increase the health of your soil and crops for greater yields, healthier produce and better marketability. Learn more and register  here .
SAVE THE DATE: NC Choices- Pastured Pork and Poultry Walk, Paddock Demo & Intensive for Beginning and Transitioning Farmers 
April 20, 2017 at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina 

"This interactive workshop is taught by leading farmers, educators, and researchers; and provides comprehensive niche meat training from pasture to sale for beginning and transitioning farmers. Producers will learn about pasture management techniques including rotational grazing, mobile units, and paddock demos for pork and poultry, nutrition and feeding guidelines including when to use alternative feeds, how to determine markets and scale, and liability requirements and coverage." Registration opens here on February 1, 2017.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Organic Valley's Grant Program "Farmers Advocating For Organic" is accepting Grant applications for 2017, supporting research, education and advocacy


Deadline: February 1st, 2017


Deadline: March 5th, 2017


Deadline: January 31, 2016
Deadline: March 27, 2017
Deadline: March 27, 2017
No Deadline
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Deadline

No Deadline


Open Until Filled


No Deadline
Allegheny Mountain Institute is Hiring a Farm Manger

No Deadline


No Deadline


No Deadline
No Deadline

FOOD AND FARM RESOURCES
Visit our free library:  http://wvfoodandfarm.org/resources/
Farm Commons offers the "Building a Legally Sound Intern and Volunteer Program for Farm Work" resource online. View the video here.

USDA announced a new opportunity for the  Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)  to further benefit beginning farmers. To learn more, click here.  
FOOD AND FARM POLICY CORNER
State and National Policy Page:  http://wvfoodandfarm.org/initiatives/policy/

Under Contract: Farmers and the Fine Print Premieres February 2017 in NYC. The movie will be made available online after the premiere in NYC. Watch the trailer here.
Support the WV Food & Farm Coalition!
Your support will further our work to make local food more viable in West Virginia.