Buy Fresh Buy Local Virginia is the most comprehensive database for Virginians to find local food resources and to eat seasonally all year round while supporting family farmers throughout the state. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/index.php Get ahead of your shopping list. Join a CSA! http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/seasonal.php The purpose of the Virginia Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship Program is to support new and existing value-added food processing and food production enterprises and to strengthen direct producer-to-consumer partnerships in the Virginia Piedmont region through a series of educational workshops. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php The conference is planned to provide farmers, landowners, rural business owners, local elected and appointed officials, and Extension educators, economic development and planning professionals an opportunity to see and hear industry leaders discuss innovative practices and methods for agricultural development. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php This online workshop sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension is designed to help growers learn about vegetables with market potential, principles of produce marketing, principles of organic production, and the importance of food safety. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Join PEC and the Local Food Project at Airlie for a two-session workshop called "Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is it Right for You?" During these workshops, landowners will explore approaches to creative partnerships with small farmers. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Joel Salatin, third generation alternative farmer, creator of Polyface Farms, and author of many acclaimed books will be giving a community talk on Broad Scale Agriculture: Creating a Local Food System that Works. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php The Virginia Association for Biological Farming (VABF) will host their 10th Annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference in Richmond, VA. This year's theme is "Community Based Food Systems" and will feature guest speakers from around the country. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Join Virginia Cooperative Extension for the Virginia Cut Flower Growers Conference in Petersburg. Participants will hear from a number of speakers on topics ranging from an introduction of growing cut flowers to financial considerations and marketing of flower crops. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php PEC is hosting a seminar "Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is it Right for You? This seminar is an introduction to farm partnerships for landowners and will explore the potential for profit on your land. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Join best-selling author Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto), and critically acclaimed author and scientist Marion Nestle, Ph.D., MPH (What to Eat?, Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health) as they guide us through the various methods of food production in the United States, and up and down the aisles of our supermarkets. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Enjoy good folks, good food, good music, and good fun at the 3rd Annual February Fest and Food Showcase from 7pm to 10pm at Harrisonburg's Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php What is it? A directory to connect farms and chefs. It lists food producers interested in selling to restaurants and chefs who are interested in buying locally grown food in the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley regions. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/farmer_chef.php Are you from an area that is still open for a new Buy Fresh, Buy Local chapter? There are currently six active chapters in Virginia. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/startchapter.php Building on the success of its Buy Fresh Buy Local Summer and Holiday Guides, the Piedmont Environmental Council is inviting all interested farmers and restaurants to participate in the "Farm to Chef" Directory. The "Farm to Chef" Directory will help farmers and restaurants to develop relationships and make it easier for them to purchase and sell local produce, dairy, meat and specialty food products. http://www.pecva.org/anx/index.cfm/1,263,1886,44,html/Calling-All-Farmers-to-Participate-in-Farm-to-Chef-Directory Support Buy Fresh, Buy Local by purchasing a gift box from Feast! http://www.pecva.org/anx/index.cfm/1,93,814,44,html/Buy-a-Virginia-Favorites-Gift-Box-from-Feast-to-Support-PEC Visit the Clarke Winter Market in Berryville and shop for local eggs, jams, baked goods, produce, meat and much more! New this season is local wine. http://www.clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com/farmers_winter_vendors.html Learn about the art and science of making fresh cider and participate in a demonstration and discussion of preparing, blending, and pressing apples for cider. http://www.vintagevirginiaapples.com/index.html This workshop will focus on planning, managing and cultivating the home orchard, and will include a tour of Rural Ridge Orchards. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Join Vintage Virginia Apples in North Garden, VA to learn how careful pruning ensures a more bountiful harvest. Find out how much to prune, where to make the pruning cuts, and when it should be done. http://www.vintagevirginiaapples.com/index.html Since apples do not reproduce true from seed, propagation depends on grafting the desired variety onto a reliable rootstock. Experts will guide you in the fine art of grafting at this workshop. http://www.vintagevirginiaapples.com/index.html The course lays the foundation for understanding and working with natural systems to design sustainable environments that produce food, shelter, and energy. http://www.blueridgepermaculture.net/courses.html This one day workshop that will have both a beginners and an advanced track for vendors who wish to grow produce and provide value-added products for market. http://www.centerforruralculture.org/events.php The Clarke County Winter Farmers Market will be open once again for its second winter season. http://www.clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com/ Celebrate the new Tri-County Farmers' Market on Thursday, December 11, 2008 from 3pm-dark at Wollam Gardens in Jeffersonton, VA. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Attend workshops focused on assisting agriculture producers and small businesses interested in applying for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program (REEP). http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/events.php Visit these winter markets and eat local all year long! http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/seasonal.php Get your new Buy Fresh Buy Local Holiday Guide! http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/localChapters.php Make a donation and support the Buy Fresh Buy Local efforts in Virginia. https://secure.citizen-networks.org/08/buyfreshbuylocal?source=bfbl Find locally grown produce near you with our search tool. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/search-local.php Get your local area's guide in printable PDF format. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/localChapters.php The Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign helps consumers find local products while building relationships between growers, food artisans, farmers’ markets, retailers, restaurants, and institutions. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/bfbl/index.php