Monday, June 2, 2:00-3:30 pm EST

Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech’s Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation, and members of the National Agriculture of the Middle (AOTM) Research Workgroup (NC1198) invite you to an upcoming webinar planned for Monday, June 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EST that will explore the importance, values, and vitality of mid-size farms in Virginia and the U.S.

The 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.

What is the Agriculture of the Middle (AOTM)? The Agriculture of the Middle encompasses a spectrum of mid-size farms and ranches that are declining. The decline relates somewhat to economies of scale but also business organization and production and marketing strategies. These farms and ranches are generally too small to be served well by commodity markets and are too large or otherwise unsuited to be served well by direct-to-consumer markets. Overall, these farms rely on farming as a key source of household income; one or more family members make most on-site management and business decisions; contribute substantially to the labor requirements of the operation; and play a significant role in the community and conservation of natural resources like soil, water, farmland, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Who should attend this webinar? Farmers, market gardeners, Extension agents, specialists, agricultural educators and researchers, soil and water conservationists, and agriculture advocates.

Please REGISTER to attend.

Presenters and speakers:

Patrick Baur, PhD, is an associate professor of Food Systems Innovation and Policy in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program, Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences with a limited joint appointment in the Department of Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island. His research focuses on equitably and sustainably balancing human livelihoods and ecosystems through improving how food is produced, distributed, and eaten.

Mary K. Hendrickson, PhD, is Professor in Rural Sociology at the University of Missouri and serves as Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security (ICFS). She is a rural sociologist whose passion is making the world a better place through food. As Director of the ICFS, she focuses on building resilient, food secure communities across Missouri and beyond. Hendrickson has been a leading scholar on consolidation and concentration in the food and agriculture system, the impacts of such a system on farmers, workers and communities, and new ways of conceptualizing policy responses around anti-trust. She is also recognized for her work examining food system alternatives – local food systems, community food systems and organic and regenerative agriculture – particularly the potential they hold for building sustainable livelihoods, thriving communities and resilient futures for rural people.

Becca Jablonski, PhD, will be the featured presenter and speaker for the Agriculture of the Middle webinar, which will include facilitated small group discussions. Dr. Jablonski holds a MS from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies and a PhD from Cornell University and is a member of the National Agriculture of the Middle (AOTM) Research Workgroup (NC1198) that focuses on different policy, education, infrastructural, organizational approaches and interventions to support this sector of the agricultural community. Presently, Dr. Jablonski is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management in the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University. In addition to research related to the Agriculture of the Middle and local food economies, Becca is presently investigating the role of municipalities in leveraging food policies to achieve progress towards sustainable development (e.g., food and nutrition security, farm and ranch viability, regional economic development, and environmental sustainability) across regions https://www.cityfoodpolicy.com/.

Michelle Miller, MS, is a practicing economic anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. Michelle holds degrees from UW-Madison in landscape architecture (emphasis: regional planning and restorative ecology), and at the Nelson Institute on sustainable development (emphasis: agriculture and food). In 2012, farmers asked, "How do we get our food into the Chicago market, just 2-hours away?" This research question launched Center work on food distribution and logistics, especially for rural regions. Michelle serves on the Transportation Research Board's Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food Transportation, works closely with the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative and the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition.