Cultivating Sustainability and Strategic Directions for Scaling up the Shenandoah Valley’s Regional Food System

The project and effort to cultivate sustainability in the Shenandoah Valley is ongoing—a long-term endeavor, since many small and mid-sized farmers continue to struggle to survive financially. The strategic planning session with Larry Yee and Ron Doetch and concurrent conference will help achieve the following goals: 1) help more Virginia farmers and food system practitioners gain knowledge in the work of the 3 Agriculture of the Middle Task Force and their effort to help small and mid-sized farms remain economically viable and develop equitable and sustainable value chains; 2) develop strategic directions for scaling up the  Shenandoah Valley’s local and regional food systems; 3) create and strengthen value chains and supply with area institutions for more opportunities for local producers; 4) address local procurement policies and adopt favorable procurement policy language that can be used in contractual agreements; 5) expand opportunities for farmers to work with the health community; 6) develop long-term strategies for making local foods a more common part of institutional cafeterias and food businesses.