17th Annual VAFB Young Farmers Summer Expo
July 29-31, 2022


When
July 29 - 31, 2022

17th YF Summer Expo
Comfort Suites - Wytheville
695 Peppers Ferry Road
Wytheville, VA 24382


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Virginia Farm Bureau's largest networking event for young people in agriculture is so much fun... and there is still no cost for registration!  See the latest Agenda at the bottom of this page.  

Please note: You must register on this site to attend any activities and meals, so please be sure to confirm your registration at the end -- if you do not receive an email immediately, then you are not registered, so be sure to double check.  

HOTEL IS SOLD OUT!  Our hotel is the Comfort Suites - Wytheville, VA   Breakfast is included in the hotel room rate.  
Contact Dana Fisher at dana.fisher@vafb.com if you would like to know about other hotel options in the area - or do a quick search.  There is a Ramada across the street that is cheap (but no idea how nice - we used it several years ago when rennovated) and several other hotels in the area that are more expensive that you can Google - Member benefits for Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn/Quality Inn, etc.) can be found with your membership number at www.vafb.com or by contacting Dana.  

Expo registration includes all lunch and dinner meals, programs, workshops and tours.
VAFB Young Farmers are generally ages 18 to 35 and share an interest in supporting agriculture through production (farming), education, promotion, advocacy and/or leadership.  We welcome anyone with a passion for agriculture to join our Summer Expo for networking with Virginia's young agricultural professionals, experiencing great programs and becoming more effective advocates for agriculture.  
Parents - please note:  Children are welcome to attend and are the full responsibility of their parents. 
 
This event closed for registrations on 7/26/2022 12:00 PM
 
 
Thanks to our sponsors for making the 17th Annual Summer Expo a success and for helping us continue Growing Agriculture’s Future!  
Sponsors are Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance, and Virginia's Farm Credit Associations - Thank you!

Young Farmers 17th Annual Summer Expo
2022 Schedule of Events as of July 28, 2022
Friday – July 29th:
1:00 PM – Riner Ridge Farm – VAFB Vice President, Scott Sink’s farm – Events, Festivals, Produce, Cattle - GPS: 3129 Riner Rd. Christiansburg, VA 24073
2:30 PM – Red Sun Farms –Greenhouse produced tomatoes and vegetables - GPS: 5400 State Rd 790, Dublin 24084
 
4:00 PM: Hotel check-in – Wytheville
Comfort Suites – (mostly for those who made their own reservations)
GPS: 695 Peppers Ferry Rd, Wytheville 24382
Country Inn & Suites – (most contestants are in this hotel)
GPS: 697 Peppers Ferry Rd, Wytheville 24382
 
5:00 PM:Registration – Wytheville Meeting Center
GPS: 333 Community Blvd, Wytheville 24382
 
6:00 PM: Dinner Program at Wytheville Meeting Center
  • Welcome and introductions – conference kick-off!
  • Keynote speaker – Joe Guthrie - Commissioner, VDACS - “Exploring Global Opportunities”
  • Sign-up for Saturday morning workshops and afternoon tours – check on contest schedules
  • Networking, enjoying meeting new and old friends!
 
Saturday – July 30th:  (Unless noted all activities through lunch will take place at the Wytheville Meeting Center)
6:30 AM:Breakfast at the hotel or on your own
 
7:30 AM:Wytheville Meeting Center opens for Contests and Saturday Expo Registration
              GPS: 333 Community Blvd, Wytheville 24382
7:45 AM:Young Farmers Contests begin (spectators welcome and encouraged)
Contestants must check their schedule at registration – arrive 10 minutes before assigned time
  • Outstanding Young Agriculturalist Finalist Speeches (WMC Meeting Room 2)
  • Young Farmers Discussion Meet (at Wytheville Community College)
  • Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Presentations (WMC Evansham Ballroom A)
  • Sign-up for afternoon tours – at registration table
 8:30 AM:Pesticide Applicators Re-certification Workshop – Evansham Ballroom C
Drone Piloting Workshop – Evansham Ballroom B
 
9:00 AM:Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Workshop – Evansham Ballroom B
Children’s Agriculture Workshop and Activities – Meeting Room 3
 
10:30 AM: Opening General Session – Evansham Ballroom B & C
  • Welcome and introductions
  • Young Farmer Promotions Subcommittee – Interactive Survey
 
11:00 AM:Final rounds of Discussion Meet and Outstanding Young Agriculturalist contests
 
Noon: Lunch and Townhall meeting with VDACS Commissioner Joe Guthrie and legislators
“Biggest Issues Facing New and Beginning Farmers”
 
1:30 PM: Depart for driving tours
Tour 1   -Stephens Dairy – 3rd Generation Commercial Beef and Dairy Farm
GPS: 1396 Rockdale Rd, Wytheville
              -Richdale Farm – Cattle, Katahdin Sheep, Pumpkins, Fall Produce & Fall Farm Activities
GPS: 378 Richdale Rd, Wytheville
 
Tour 2 – Huffard Dairy – Over 200 year old, Registered Jersey Dairy Farm
GPS: 165 Huffard Lane, Crockett, VA 24323
              -Duchess Dairy Products– bottling all-Jersey milk from local Dairies
GPS: 439 Gienow Rd, Rural Retreat VA 24368
-Dalton Enterprises/Adam Trailers–Aluminum livestock & utility trailers and more.
GPS: 439 Gienow Rd, Rural Retreat VA 24368
 
Tour 3 - Beagle Ridge Herb Farm- Agrotourism Venue Specializing in Lavender
GPS: 1934 Matney Flats Rd, Wytheville, VA 24382
 
5:30 PM: Tours & Awards Dinner– Bottomley Evergreens & Farms
GPS: 200 Kenton Run, Wytheville
  • Tours of Bottomley’s Facility
  • Young Farmers Contest Awards
  • Farm Bureau Young Farmers national competitors’ recognition!
  • Games & Activities
  • Networking
 
Sunday – August 1st:  Wytheville Meeting Center
8:30 AM:Sunday Morning Devotional – Emily Edmondson, VFBF Board of Directors, District 1

9:00 AM: Family Dynamics on the Farm
 
10:00 AM: Wrap-Up and Adjourn, followed by a brief State Young Farmers Committee Meeting
 
 


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