Events and Speakers

Below is a list of upcoming and recent events that are either directly or indirectly related to the work being done by the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation.
If you would like to share related events, please send an email including the event title; dates; a short summary; and any flyers, attachments, or hotlinks to Katie Trozzo.
Upcoming Events
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Article ItemCFSCT May Fellows Series: Revisiting UVA’s BIPOC Procurement Initiative: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Wholesale Acquisition , article
Join us for the day in learning how the University of Virginia and UVA's Sustainable Food Collaborative (UVA SFC) have increased the procurement of goods for local BIPOC farmers. We will hear from Michael Carter Jr, Allie Berry, and Tom McDougall – and how UVA's BIPOC Procurement Program supports the wholesale acquisition of produce from minority farmers for UVA dining facilities, connects chefs directly with these producers, and educates culinary staff about purchasing and incorporating healthy, local produce into their menus.
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Article ItemAgriculture of the Middle Webinar , article
This webinar will feature the Extension and applied research insights of Drs. Becca Jablonski of Cornell University, Mary Hendrickson of the University of Missouri, Patrick Bauer of the University of Rhode Island, Michelle Miller of the University of Wisconsin, and host Eric Bendfeldt of Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension. In addition to the brief presentations and comments on the importance, values, and vitality of mid-size farms on a state and national level, there will be facilitated small group discussions on Extension educational needs and applied research opportunities that can strengthen this important sector of the agricultural community.
Recent Events
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Article ItemCFSCT March Fellows Series: Results from the 2024 Virginia Tech Employee Food Access and Wellbeing Study , article
Since 2019, Virginia Tech has paid significant attention to the food security of students, officially launching The Market of Virginia Tech in 2022 that now provides around 115 students with a range of nutritious food items each week. However, limited knowledge exists on food security among university employees and its possible impact on the functioning and mission of Virginia Tech. This presentation will share findings from the 2024 Virginia Tech Employee Food Access and Wellbeing Survey, which was administered online during the Spring of 2024. The survey aimed to examine the level of food security among Virginia Tech employees, focusing on staff and non-tenure track faculty.
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Article ItemCFSCT February Fellows Series: The Grassfed Beef Partnership: Linking Principles of Regenerative Agriculture and Adaptive Grazing with Local Economic Resilience , article
The Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center’s (CSC) Grassfed Beef Partnership works to explore an alternative to commodity beef production by purchasing calves from local farmers to then be adaptively grazed in an effort to produce quality grass finished beef that is then distributed back into the local food economy. During their life at the CSC, the beef are utilized to restore, rebuild, and enhance ecosystem function and diversity for life in the soil, on the soil, and above.
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Article ItemVirginia Urban Agriculture Information Session, Richmond VA , article
Are you interested in Urban Agriculture in Virginia? By attending this on-farm information session, discover how you can contribute to advancing urban agriculture in your community, and learn how to start your journey as an urban producer with USDA Farm Service Agency as a resource.
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Article ItemUrban Farming and the Law , article
Urban Farming is tough enough without having to have a law degree! Gray Montrose, a local Richmond land use attorney and urban farmer, will give a guided tour of basic legal concepts for urban farmers. Topics will include a primer on local ordinances, the Virginia Right to Farm Act (RTFA) and important RTFA case law, cottage food and farm stand laws, and resources for folks with legal needs.
Events Archive
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.