2022 Grow & Fortify Value-Added Agriculture Summit

500 Pier 1 Road,Stevensville MD 21666

01 December, 2022

Description

ABOUT OUR CONFERENCE Powered by Grow & Fortify, this bi-annual conference unites local value-added and agritourism businesses and will return for its first post-Covid event in December 2022. 

Our summit introduces key industry players to strategic partners from the government and private sector and is one of the only professional gatherings geared towards innovation and value-added agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic region. The 2022 Grow & Fortify Value-Added Agriculture Summit would not be possible without the incredible support of our event partners. Thank you to Farm Credit, the Rural Maryland Council and the Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center for their generous support of this year's event. WHO ATTENDS OUR CONFERENCE Are you a value-added agriculture producer, small food business, state or county agency representative, elected official, food and agriculture organization, media, blogger, or food policy organization? The Grow & Fortify VAA Summit conference draws farmers, food system professionals, educators, advocates, researchers, market managers, homesteaders, gardeners, and change-makers who are passionate about building a better food system. GENERAL CONFERENCE AGENDA Below is an outline of this year's conference agenda. Specific information about the conference agenda, including details about speakers, presenters and participants, is available on our event website. EVENT REGISTRATION 8:00-9:00 am | Event Registration & BreakfastPLENARY 9:00-9:15 am | Welcome: Grow & Fortify9:15-10:00 am | Success Stories: Changing The Culture Of "No!"10:00-10:45 am | Legislative Update and Future Of VAA10:45–11:00 am | Coffee & Pastries / Exhibitor Visits11:00-11:45 am | Keynote Address: Kim Bremmer11:30 am-12:30 pm | Rapid Fire PanelLUNCH 12:30-1:45 pm | Lunch & NetworkingBREAKOUTS 2:00-2:45 pm Sessions Sustainability: Better For The Earth, Better For Your Bottom LineCreatively Connecting With Your ConsumerValue-added Forest Products: Opportunities for Growth?3:00-3:45 pm Sessions Emerging and Potential MarketsThe Buy Local Resurgence And How To Keep It GoingThe New Frontier In Agritourism: Unique Partners And Unique IdeasNETWORKING 4:00-5:30 pm | Craft Beverage Happy HourSOCIAL & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES The Summit’s educational sessions are interspersed with networking and a craft beverage happy hour featuring products from select producer members of the Brewers Association of Maryland, the Maryland Distillers Guild and the Maryland Wineries Association. We certainly appreciate how important it is to unwind and connect with one another!