2009 Workshop

VAFEP Mission

The purpose of the Virginia Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship Program (VAFEP) is to support new and existing innovative value-added food processing and food production enterprises and to strengthen agriculture and food economic development opportunities in the Virginia Piedmont region through a series of educational workshops.

The VAFEP presents an excellent strategy for local agriculture and food entrepreneurs to immediately and positively impact the piedmont area economy and regional foodshed by gaining valuable information about important food safety regulations, business planning tools and local food marketing techniques. 

Learning from experts such as local agriculture and food entrepreneurs, professionals at the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Thomas Jefferson Health District, Virginia Tech, Central Virginia Small Business Development Center and Piedmont Environmental Council will allow new and existing agricultural and food-based business developers to strengthen there knowledge and understanding of these important topics, which will ultimately help generate economic impacts for there businesses and for the local economy.

The direct producer-to-consumer exchange of locally produced food with those who consume it, helps to create local economic development and sustainable community food systems, integrating all members of a community, promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening our family farms, enhancing socio-economic wellbeing and incubating new generations of farmers. This relationship also connects rural residents with urban dwellers, and unites agricultural lands with non-farming land, in the process, strengthening our communities.

Enhancing our communities through the development of local and regional food systems gives us the ability to strengthen the web that interconnects all aspects and all members of society, thereby creating a more unified community. As a result, we construct an environment that is more economically diverse, environmentally sustainable and socially interconnected.

Day 2 - Business Planning and Marketing

In the spring of 2009, a series of workshops will be held in Albemarle County that will provide information and training on how to start and operate a food-based business in Virginia. The program aims to increase the quality and quantity of regionally produced food and value-added food products as a means to incorporate sustainable agriculture into our local economy. The curriculum will include the following topics:

  • How to comply with Virginia food processing and food safety regulations
  • Which inspections and certifications are recommended or required for which products
  • When food products need to be analyzed and evaluated
  • How to market and sell locally-made products
  • How to develop business plans and manage bookkeeping
  • Panel discussions featuring successful food producers and retailers looking for locally made foods
  • And more!

 

The VAFEP will also develop a free downloadable handbook, as well as resources and website links, covering the content of the workshops that will be available through this website.

Business and Marketing Highlights

  • Keynote Speaker
  • Business Start-Up, Business Plans, Product Pricing
  • Risk Management & Liability Insurance
  • Marketing Opportunities in Virginia
  • Panel: Producers & Growers
  • Panel: Meat & Dairy Producers
  • Panel: Value-Added Food Producers

Day 2- Monday, April 6, 2009

7:45am to 8:45am- Sign-in & registration

8:45am to 9am- Welcome

9am to 10am-Keynote Address: "The Changing Landscape: Food & Agriculture Business and Markets"

            Andy Hankins, Virginia State University

10am to 11am- Food-based Business Start-Up, Product Costing/Pricing & Writing a Business Plan

Nora Gillespie, Central Virginia Small Business Development Center

11am to 11:20am- Break

11:20am to 12:15am- Risk Management- Business Product Liability & Insurance

Jesse Richardson, Virginia Tech

12:15pm to 1:15pm- Lunch

1:15pm to 2:00pm- Panel Discussion: Marketing Opportunities for Virginia's Agriculture & Value-AddedFood Producers

Melissa Willey, Piedmont Environmental Council (Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign)

Charles Green, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

2:00pm to 3:15pm- Panel Discussion "Learning from The Field: Marketing Local Grown Products"

Michael Clark, Planet Earth Diversified

Corey Childs, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Susan Swales, Wild Oats Farm

& Others

3:15pm to 3:30pm- Break

3:45pm to 4:45pm- Panel Discussion: "How to Cultivate Food Retail & Value-Addes Opportunities"

Kate Collier, Feast

Ryan Ford, The Organic Butcher

Daniel Perry, Jam According to Daniel

& Others

4:45pm to 5pm- Wrap-up & Adjourn