Virginia Farm to Table
Celebrating and connecting food, farms, and health for the common good.
Photo: Field of drying peanuts on Pop Son Farms
What is Virginia Farm-to-Table?
Virginia Farm-to-Table is a state-wide initiative to connect us to our food systems, from the soil to the plate. Through conferences and events, we gather to learn, strengthen, and help cultivate:
- Soil health
- Farms
- Food
- Health and wellness
- Local and regional economies
- Ecological stewardship
- Community resilience
- A bright vibrant, thriving future
Virginia Cooperative Extension started the collaboration in 2010 with Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, in partnership with the Virginia Food System Council, the University of Virginia, and other state agencies and organizations.
🌱 Growing Food
“Small- [and] mid-sized farms have great potential to be profitable.”
Attendee of Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024
🚜 Farming Networks
“The networking and topics covered were fantastic. Keep up the good work.”
Attendee of Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024
🍽️ & Community Health
“Delish food, wonderful fellowship and conversation!”
Attendee of Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024
Michael S. Gutter, PhD, Director Virginia Cooperative Extension and Associate Dean, College of Agriculture; Nicole Masters; Farmer Cee, and Eric Bendfeldt, Community Viability Specialist, VCE. 
Farmer Cee, Owner and CEO Green Heffa Farm 
Farmer Cee, Owner and CEO Green Heffa Farm 
Nicole Masters, Director and Owner of Integrity Soils 
Maureen McNamara Best, Executive Director of Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP) 
The Flip Charts, Eric Bendfeldt, and Farmer Cee 
Networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Appalache Chocolate at networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Shenandoah Valley Orchards at networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Pickle Dillish by Sunnyfield Farms 
Networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Musicians at the networking event 
Networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Networking event at Valley Pike Market 
Musicians at the networking event 
Musicians at the networking event holding a 4 The Soil yard sign 
Dr. David M. Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech 
Dr. David M. Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech and Elisha Barnes, Pop Son Farm, fourth-generation farmer 
Layla and Elisha Barnes, Pop Son Farm, 
Dr. David M. Kohl, Layla Barnes, and Elisha Barnes 
Dr. Kim Niewolny, PhD, Director of the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation 
A slide about the programs of Virginia Tech’s Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation 
Panel at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024 
Panel at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024 
Panel at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024 
Panel at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024 
Panel at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024 
Panel at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024 
Panel at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference 2024
Setting tHe Table: A Blog
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Virginia’s overall food system directly impacts the survival and viability of farms and farmland, the economic development of rural and urban communities, the care, restoration, and resilience of ecological resources, and critical health issues. Therefore, connecting food, farms, and health from the farm to the table can have a positive impact on the commonwealth and
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Over 130 guests joined the 2025 Virginia Farm to Table Feast & Harvest Celebration at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia on Saturday October 25. The crisp evening started with Harry Jarrett’s tour of the farm and stories about the family’s history and innovative agricultural practices. Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents Mike Parrish, Beth Sastre, and Thomas
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Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange was recognized as the 2025 Carl Luebben Soil Health and Water Quality Award for a lifetime achievement in conservation and reimaging gardening and our relationship to food and seed preservation. Ira is a renowned seed saver, educator, and author. She’s also the energy behind Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (SESE), a worker-owned
Virginia Farm to Table 