When the first Tri-state Farm and Food Conference opens in Huntington on Nov. 6, food suppliers and consumers will discover revolutionary ways to keep both local foods and local food dollars in their communities.
Eventually, that transition could translate into millions of dollars staying in West Virginia, according to Carrie See, program coordinator for the West Virginia University Extension Service Small Farm Center.
As a learning laboratory, the conference is designed to help revolutionize the food system in the 50-mile radius surrounding Huntington, an area that encompasses parts of West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.
But the conference also will be productive for those who live beyond that territory.
“Anybody who is interested in local food can come,” See said. “We are focusing on producers, consumers, industry folks and everyone who’s interested in where their food comes from and how it gets to them.”
The WVU-ES Small Farm Center is sponsoring the event along with West Virginia State University, Ohio State University and Unlimited Future.
With more than $7.2 billion worth of food being consumed each year in West Virginia, See said that it is important to the sponsors to shed light on local production.
“West Virginia farmers report selling only $7 million worth of products through direct sales,” she said. “That’s less than a tenth of what we are buying from other states and countries. If we could increase production to feed ourselves, we could decrease the ‘food miles’ between production and consumption while supporting the West Virginia farmer.”
Experts who deal with various parts of the food system will share their knowledge about enhancing local “food sheds.” Presenters include Barbara Liedl of West Virginia State University, Joe Moritz of the WVU Extension Service, Linda Whaley of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and Tom McConnell of the WVU-ES Small Farm Center.
Classes will cover topics such as farmers markets, farm grants, food safety, small farm tax tips, poultry and broilers, record keeping, local farms and local school cafeterias, and culinary tourism.
See called the conference “a sharing of ideas” and said that the information both farmers and food buyers will receive should be invaluable to their local markets.
“I think it’s fantastic to watch the farmer and the consumer come together and learn about each other,” she said. “So many farmers don’t realize what it’s like to buy meat out of a store, and consumers don’t realize the work, risks and disadvantages it takes to be a farmer.”
But the conference won’t just educate participants about the local food shed. It will also support the work of farmers in the surrounding area. Food served at the conference during breaks and lunch will be from local sources.
The conference runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Douglass Center, 1448 10th Avenue, Huntington.
For registration details and other information, go to http://smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu/events/farmfoodconference or contact the WVU Extension Service Small Farm Center at 304-293-2642.
The Tri-state Farm and Food Conference is just one of many educational events sponsored by the WVU Extension Service. For information about agriculture, 4-H, nutrition, and other educational programs, check the web at www.ext.wvu.edu.
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CONTACT:
Ann Berry
WVU Extension Communications
304-293-5691 (office)
304-216-3938 (mobile)