Posted by Leif Riddervold on March 24th, 2010

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the sixth annual “Forum for Rural Innovation: New Approaches for Agriculture and Rural Prosperity” in Winchester, Va.  This was my second year attending this Forum, and was once again very impressed with the level of discussion and the number of people interested in sustainable farming ventures.

Over 150 people attended this Forum to learn about everything from the latest trends in specialty crops, how to use social networking as a marketing tool, how to direct market a product, to new innovations in the Mid-Atlantic region.  There were also panel discussions on innovative uses of large acreage tracts, and folks presenting successful projects around the region. 

These types of workshops are incredibly useful to both established farmers as well as people that are contemplating a new agricultural venture.  The lessons learned can help direct someone into growing a particular crop, using new and more efficient tools, and learning from other people’s mistakes.  For us working on Bundoran Farm, not only do we have an opportunity to be exposed to and learn about innovative programs that we may what to explore here on our property, but we also great to meet and rub elbows with others who care as much as us about preserving productive agriculture lands.  Its great networking opportunity for people to establish new connections.  And to top it all off, a wonderful lunch was served that featured products from local farmers!

This Forum was co hosted by the Offices of Agricultural Economic Development and Cooperative Extension in Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick and Loudoun Counties, Virginia, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia, Potomac Headwaters and Shenandoah RC & D, Virginia Cooperative Extension and WVU Extension.

Filed under: Agriculture, Education and Inspiration, Nature/Environment