Registration Information
We are excited to welcome you to the 22nd annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference in February! Click the "Register" button for the opportunity to learn, network, and have fun all at the same time. Annually, the conference boasts a variety of useful topics, unique events and informative speakers across dozens of sessions. We have a wide selection of sessions and topics to meet your needs. Learn how to improve production, market effectively, and feed your local community and beyond.
Register by February 18, 2026 to SAVE!
Online registration will end on the 18th, walk-in registration will be available at the event for an additional $25 fee.
Conference Goals
- Unlock the potential of West Virginia small farms to produce food profitably.
- Help small farms transition from commodity production to food production for community and local consumption.
- Support West Virginia's 23,000 small farm families by:
- Providing reliable, tested knowledge about current trends, needed skills, and latest production and operation information.
- Building an understanding of how to develop a successful small farming enterprise.
- Support and further develop West Virginia's food system and local communities by encouraging local production, processing, wholesale and retail marketing, and consumption.
Keynote Speaker
A sought-after speaker, Farmer Cee is a TEDx presenter whose work challenges audiences to rethink who belongs in agriculture, how climate-positive farming can drive economic justice, and what it means to build profitable businesses rooted in land stewardship. Her insights draw from both lived experience and deep business expertise, bridging sustainability, food systems, and cultural leadership.
Her leadership has earned national recognition, including 2025 Good Farmer US, 2023 Gamechanger: Black Women in Food, and the UNC Sustainability Inaugural Distinguished Entrepreneurial Venture Award. Green Heffa Farms and Farmer Cee have been featured on NBC Nightly News and in O Magazine, Essence, Ebony, Fast Company, and other global outlets.
Before founding Green Heffa Farms, Farmer Cee was an award-winning fundraising and marketing executive and holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. She holds degrees in Marketing and Education, is a graduate of NC State Extension’s Farm School, serves on the Southern SARE Advisory Council, and is the author of the forthcoming book, Black Girl’s Guide to Building a Boutique Farm, which blends practical strategy with cultural insight for the next generation of farm entrepreneurs.
Winter Blues Farmers Market
The 17th annual Winter Blues Farmers Market will be held
Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 12-5 p.m. at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention
Center located at 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV.
This indoor event is held in partnership with the West
Virginia Department of Agriculture to showcase the bounty that West
Virginia can produce during winter months. During the five hours of
operation, thousands of shoppers from the Kanawha Valley and beyond shop a
diverse array of products - fresh vegetables, maple syrup, meats, soaps, salsa
and more! This event is free to the public and will include activities
for children. Shoppers will have the chance to talk to vendors and find
out how they grow, make or produce their goods. Vendors will offer samples of their products.
The Winter Blues Farmers Market has been proven successful with sales topping $210,685 in 2025.
If you would like to apply as a vendor, you can find the application here.
Reggie Blackwood is a founder of the DMV Seed Commons, member of Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, and co-director of the film series "Southeast Seed Saving," documenting the importance of preserving regional biodiversity.
Dr. Wilson has been at WVU for 26 years and his research focuses on Precision Livestock Farming with particular interest in individual, daily grazing feed intake and water intake in beef systems.
VA FARMS Veterans Growing Togethers Agritherapy Program at Hershel "Woody" Williams VAMC, Huntington, WV
Dr. Mohammad Masudul Alam is a seasoned public health researcher with hands-on knowledge and experience in research design, program evaluation and implementation.
Faith Hokanson is an Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist with the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS), the state AT Act program for West Virginia.
Canaan Valley Flower Company grows cut flowers, edible flowers and herbs in Tucker Co, WV. After a 20+ year international career, Lizz Frost Yocum established the farm to bring the beauty of flowers and the benefits of gardens to all ages and abilities.
Ward Cattle Company successfully used virtual fence technology with a group of cows in 2025 on a property that had very little perimeter fence.
Provide a hands-on, non-clinical pathway to healing, growth, and renewed purpose by combining beekeeping education with community connection and environmental stewardship for Veterans, Active Duty, First Responders & immediate family.
The Who's Who of farming opportunities in Appalachia emceed by a veteran farmer who understands unique needs.
Courtney Altice is an herbalist trained at the Maryland University of Integrative Health and former owner of Elder Moon. She now works in nonprofit communications, focusing on environmental justice, Appalachian ecology, and community wellness.
Dr. Jacek Jaczynski is a Professor of Food Science at WVU who helps small farms apply practical, science-based food preservation methods to reduce losses, extend shelf life, and protect food safety in real-world WV conditions.
Olivia McConnell is a Program Manager with the Nourish WV Initiative at the Institute for Community and Rural Health.
From Intake to Impact highlights a novel Willing-Ready-Able (WRA) framework that pinpoints readiness for food safety adoption and streamlines targeted support.
Laura Akgerman is the Disability Services Coordinator for Ohio AgrAbility & Ohio State University Extension.
I tie brands together by marrying classic design elements with a modern approach to connecting with audiences.
As a Medicinal Chemist, Rebecca Linger has studied the plants of Applachia for their therapeutic properties. She has co-authored a book about medicinal plants and has given lectures on this topic throughout West Virginia.
Facing Hunger Food Bank serves 17 counties in West Virginia (12), Kentucky (4), and Lawrence County, Ohio. We represent three USDA regions and provide several programs that we utilize local food producers and processors, while supporting local economies.
Director of Agriculture. Owner of Weeping Willow Ag Services. Co-Owner of Weeping Willow Cattle Company.
Jenn Brown is the Operations Manager at Mountain State Co-Hop (DBA Appalachian Cellar) and the co-owner of Turtle on a Post Farm.
Candace Nelson is the Deputy Executive Director at Capitol Market, where she plays a key role in supporting local entrepreneurs, farmers, and nonprofit partners.
Regional Food Systems Partnership (RFSP) Project Coordinator. Co-owner of Wonder Valley Farm.
Agricultural engineer focused on on-farm energy efficiency, conservation planning, and USDA NRCS cost-share programs, helping small and diversified farms reduce costs and improve long-term sustainability.
I have worked with Agricultural producers throughout the United States and abroad for the last 11 years to help improve their operations.
Value Added Products Program Manager at WV Food and Farm Coalition. Owner Member and Board Secretary of Mountain State Co-Hop/Appalachian Cellar, Owner of Random Rabbit, LLC, and Co-Owner of Pure Serenity.
Dr. Pena-Yewtukhiw is an Associate Professor at West Virginia University and Director of the WVU Soil Testing Laboratory. She connects soil science with practical management to help farmers improve productivity while protecting soil and water resources.
Amanda is the Program Coordinator for the WV Department of Agriculture's Farm to School, Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBGP), and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition (SFMNP) Programs.
Ana Claudia Sant’Anna is an Assistant Professor in the School of Agriculture and Food Systems at West Virginia University. The main driver of her research is to foster an environment where agribusinesses can thrive.
Spencer Moss, Executive Director of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, has spent a decade advancing food systems and agriculture. They specialize in policy, grants, and partnerships that support farmers, rural communities, and producers.
I have "postage stamp" farm where I raise vegetables, mushrooms, honeybees, and very soon...apples.
Holly Morgan, Executive Director of the WV Farmers Market Association, is dedicated to strengthening local food systems and supporting farmers statewide. As a Conservation District Supervisor, she advocates for sustainable agriculture and soil health.
Our Mission: We deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world.
Jesse is a Business Program Director for the USDA Rural Development in West Virginia. Based in the McMechen USDA Service; he assists in managing the Business Programs, such as Rural Energy for America Program and the Value-Adde Producer Grant Program.
Dr. Mahfuz Rahman is a Professor and plant pathology specialist at WVU. Rahman joined the WVU Extension Service in 2011.
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Agri-Waste Technology, Inc. or AWT is an agricultural engineering firm from NC that has been helping producers all over the United States since 1984.
Mission Beelieve is dedicated to providing sustainable beekeeping education to Veterans, Active Duty, First Responders and their immediate Family by embracing the therapeutic and vocational benefits of beekeeping.
West Virginia Farmers Market Association
WVFMA strengthens farmers markets across the state through data-driven coordination, shared infrastructure, and education.
At The Wild Country, we specialize in Permaculture Design, creating regenerative, functional landscapes for both residential and commercial spaces.
Michael Gwinn Insurance Agency
Michael Gwinn Insurance Agency specializes in farm insurance offering customized coverage for farm property, equipment, liability, and livestock. We provide dependable protection built around the unique needs of agricultural operations.
Since 1914, WVU Extension has been a trusted source of evidence-based information that supports families and communities to improve their lives. EXCITE continues that work by encouraging individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
West Virginia Assistive Technology System
WVATS provides services and resources to help West Virginia residents of all ages and abilities make informed decisions about assistive technology. AT can be borrowed from our library for short-term accommodations or to trial a device.
Black by God (BBG) is at the forefront of community-led news and storytelling in West Virginia. We are committed to showcasing the diverse experiences of Black and BIPOC communities in the Appalachian region.
The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities.
At the Natural Resources Conservation Service, we have a proud history of supporting America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.
WVU Extension Small Farm Center
Working to improve the lives and livelihoods of all small farms in West Virginia.
Rimol Greenhouses are designed and manufactured to be, simply put the most dependable greenhouse structures around.
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