Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit
Agenda (Updated 4/22/19)
DAY 1 – Tuesday, April 23
10:00 a.m. Registration opens (Refreshments)
REGISTRATION DESK
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Welcome session
Session host
Dave Close, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Speaker
Dr. M. Ray McKinnie, Dean and 1890 Extension Administrator, Virginia State University
Introduction of the Planning Committee
Dr. Leonard Githinji, Urban Agriculture Specialist, Virginia Cooperative Extension / Virginia State University
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 1-2
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Buffet Lunch
Session host
Diane Lenoir-Giles
Public Relations Outreach Specialist, FSA
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, VDACS Commissioner
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 1-2
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Break (Visit our vendors and exhibitors)
Coordinator: Michelle Olgers, Director of Marketing & Communications, Virginia State University
BALLROOM FOYER
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. PANEL A: Concurrent
What is the Potential of Industrial Hemp in Urban Agriculture?
Moderator: Dr. Laban Rutto, Associate Professor of Alternative Crops, Virginia State University
Panel:
Margaret Taylor-Collins, Hemp Grower (Moderator)
Dr. John Fike, Associate Professor, Virginia Tech
Ellen Williams, VDACS
JEFFERSON AMPHITHEATER
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. PANEL B: Concurrent
Green Acres in Grey Spaces: Overcoming Urban Agriculture Challenges
Moderator: Kirsten Conrad, ANR/Horticulture Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent, Arlington County
Panel:
Richard Morris, Director of Farm and Foodroots
Urban Agricultural Collective of Charlottesville
Maria Velikonja, Arlington VCE Master Gardener
Patrick Johnson, Urban Farmer, NANIH Farm
JAMES MADISON
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Break (Visit our vendors and exhibitors)
Coordinator: Michelle Olgers, Director of Marketing & Communications, Virginia State University
BALLROOM FOYER
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Oral Session 1: Concurrent
Session host: Odiney Alvarez, Virginia Tech
Reducing food waste in Baltimore City, MD through cross-sector partnerships (A. Draddy & A. Richardson)
Lettuce Break the Cycle: A Green Collar Revolution to Fight Recidivis (A. M. George)
Create a Hentopia for Food Justice: Making Backyard Chicken-Keeping Doable for the Busy and the Budget-Constrained (F. Hayman)
JEFFERSON AMPHITHEATER
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Oral Session 2: Concurrent
Session host: Andrea Davis, ANR/Horticulture Agent
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Beach
Water Use Efficiency of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Cultivars Grown in Greenhouse Using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) (D. Leskovar & V. Cerven)
Impact of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on Plant Growth and Soil Health: A Comparison (E. Washington, H. Gao, J. Andrews and L. K. Rutto)
Mushrooms, Mycelia, and Mycorrhizae for Urban Agriculture (M. Jones)
JAMES MADISON
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Poster session (Authors to be present)
BALLROOM FOYER
5:30 p.m. Networking Dinner Reception
UPPER OUTDOOR TERRACE
Note: Continuous refreshments will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including fresh whole and sliced fruit, vegetables with dip, cheese and crackers, one hot item, and an assortment of freshly baked cookies, brownies, bite-size chocolates, nuts, and candies, plus a selection of beverages including coffee, decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, bottled water, fruit juices, and soft drinks.
DAY 2 – Wednesday, April 24
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast /Registration opens
Session host
Dr. Jayesh Samtani
Assistant Professor and Small Fruit Extension Specialist
Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia tech
Keynote Speaker
Duron Chavis, Community Engagement Manager,
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
BALLROOM FOYER
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Panel C
An Urban Farmer’s Perspective on USDA Programs and Services
Moderator: Keith Boyd, Asst. State Conservationist for Field Operations, NRCS
Panel:
Bernadette Vaughan, Virginia Beach
Roy Flanagan, Virginia Beach
Rep from RD (TBD)
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 3-4
10:15 p.m. - 10:30 a.m. Break (Visit our vendors and exhibitors)
Coordinator: Michelle Olgers, Director of Marketing & Communications, Virginia State University
BALLROOM FOYER
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Oral Session 3: Concurrent
Session host
Chris Epes, Associate Extension Agent – Horticulture
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Norfolk,
Exceptional Quality Biosolids Amendments for Vegetable Production in Urban Agriculture (O. Alvarez-Campos & G. K. Evanylo)
Important considerations for the use of orchard bees in urban agriculture (L. Horth)
Invasive Plants and Urban Agriculture (J. Koci)
JAMES MADISON
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Oral Session 4: Concurrent
Session host
Roy Flanagan, Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Beach
Networking Indoor Farms by Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology to Eliminate the Supply Chain for Fresh Produce (A. Olesen & B. Etienne)
Pamunkey’s Heritage Farming Project Educational tools to foster Native American community into conserving cultural values, history, and the environment (W. Orozco)
Assisting Berry Crops Production in an Urban Environment (J. Samtani)
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Bus Tours
(Pick up your boxed lunch/board buses)
Hosts
Andrea Davis: Tour 1: Virginia Beach
Chris Epes: Tour 2: Norfolk
Michael Andruczyk: Tour 3: Chesapeake
OUTSIDE THE LOBBY
Evening Dinner on Your Own
Note: Continuous refreshments will be available from 8 a.m. to noon, including fresh whole fruit, Danishes, croissants, turnovers, muffins, assorted breakfast breads, and one hot item, plus coffee, decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, fruit juices, and soft drinks.
DAY 3 – Thursday April 25
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast/Registration opens
Session host
Michelle Olgers, Director of Marketing & Communications, Virginia State University
BALLROOM FOYER
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Oral Session 5: Concurrent
Session host
Dr. Joyce Latimer, Professor and Extension Specialist, Greenhouse Crops, Virginia Tech
Michael Schwarz, Director of Virginia Seafood AREC
Brian Nerrie, Aquaculture Specialist, Virginia State University
Jonathan van Senten, Assistant Professor, Virginia Seafood AREC
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 3-4
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Oral Session 6: Concurrent
Session host
Dr. Jayesh Samtani
Assistant Professor and Small Fruit Extension Specialist
Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia tech
Grant Funding Opportunities For Urban Agriculture (L. Githinji)
Understanding & Maintaining Your Financial Health in Urban Agriculture (L. Connatser)
JEFFERSON AMPHITHEATER
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Oral Session 8: Concurrent
Session host
Dr. Joyce Latimer, Professor and Extension Specialist, Greenhouse Crops, Virginia Tech
David Crosby, Extension Specialist, Virginia State University
Jim Hilleary, Director of the VCE Office in Loudoun County
Reza Ovissi, Virginia Seafood AREC
Chris Mullins, Extension Specialist, Greenhouse, VSU
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 3-4
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Oral Session 9: Concurrent
Session host
Dr. Leonard Githinji, Urban Agriculture Specialist, Virginia Cooperative Extension / Virginia State University
What Am I Doing and is Worth It? Optimizing Your Urban Farm Business & Marketing with Awesome Computer Spreadsheet Templates (T. Nartea)
Turn Your Website Into a Marketing Power Tool for Urban Agriculture (R. Connell)
JEFFERSON AMPHITHEATER
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Buffet Lunch
Session host
Kevin Camm, Virginia Cooperative Extension, City of Lynchburg
Keynote Speaker
Shelley Blades, Farm Manager and Executive Director, Lynchburg Grows
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 1-2
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony
Dr. Leonard Githinji
Urban Agriculture Specialist, Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia State University
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 1-2
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Closing remarks
VIRGINIA BALLROOM 1-2
2:30 p.m. Adjourn
Note: Continuous refreshments will be available from 8 a.m. to noon, including fresh whole fruit, Danishes, croissants, turnovers, muffins, assorted breakfast breads, and one hot item, plus coffee, decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, fruit juices, and soft drinks.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Mollie Klein (mklein@vsu.edu) or call (804) 524-5960 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
