The conference focuses on the business side of farming, offering beginning and established farmers financial, legal, operational and marketing tools to improve farm businesses and make professional connections. Farmers and specialists will lead more than a dozen workshops, including new offerings such as “Alternate Capital: Grants and Fundraising for Farmers” and “Planning for Retirement.” 

The popular Grower-Buyer Meeting, in which farmers meet with chefs, grocers, wholesalers and other buyers to discuss their products and potential business relationships, will be held at lunchtime. Other networking opportunities include one-on-one sessions and an exhibitor hall. Embedded within the conference is the Farmers Market Summit, a chance for farmers market managers from across the region to come together for peer-sharing, technical assistance support and annual planning. 

Organized by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. Register at asapconnections.org. Cost is $75 by Feb. 1 before rising to $95, with a discount for farm partners registering together and scholarships for limited-resource and BIPOC farmers. Cost includes locally sourced breakfast and lunch.