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Alt text: Flyer with teal background and Virginia map highlighting Newport News region. Logos from Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Title: Listening Session & Refreshments on Addressing Food System Resiliency in Virginia AquacultureTogether. Event details: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 2:30 PM–4:00 PM at Newport News Marriott, City Center Pearl Ballroom. Description about preparing for food system disruptions and building resilience. Includes QR code for registration, deadline November 6, and contact info for Lia Kelinsky-Jones.

Listening Session on Addressing Food System Resilience in Virginia Aquaculture

November 15, 2025, 2:30 - 4:00 pm 

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George Washington Carver Agriculture Research Center, 9432 North James Madison Hwy,    4-H Room Rapidan, Virginia, 22733

What happens when a hurricane closes highways, when a processing facility shuts down, or when a season of heavy rain or drought ruins crops? These kinds of disruptions affect how food moves from fields and waters to our tables.     

At this listening session, we’ll talk about how people across Virginia — from farmers, fisheries, and food businesses to community organizations and local governments —can prepare for different challenges like these. The goal is to be proactive instead of reactive before and after these shocks to minimize immediate and lasting effects. Together, we’ll explore and listen to your ideas for building a food system that is dependable, adaptable, sustainable, and fair to everyone, no matter what comes our way.

Data from these listening sessions will be used to inform future food system resilience planning for the state.

If you have any questions, please contact Lia Kelinsky-Jones at kelinskyjones@vt.edu. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Lia Kelinsky-Jones at kelinskyjones@vt.edu or (540) 231-1534 during regular business hours at least 10 days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.