Calls for Speakers and Scholarship Requests are Open ~ 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference!
2026 Gather to Grow
Forest Farming Conference
Rooted In and Branching Out
October 23 - 25th, 2026 | The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
The Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition is excited to welcome the community together again to share knowledge and celebrate this fall in Blacksburg, Virginia!
Calls for Speakers,
Exhibitors, and Scholarship Requests thru June 22
Early Bird rate of $249 thru July 15
$299 Adult Registration
Limited $199 Student Tickets
$149 Youth with Adult
About the 2026 Conference
The 2nd Gather to Grow multi day Forest Farming conference will be held in Blacksburg, Virginia on October 23-25, 2026 and feature learning and networking with the community at the heartwood of forest farming in Appalachia and beyond.
The conference will be held at the Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, and will feature learning, networking, and growing with the community surrounding forest farming of botanicals, mushrooms, syrups, and decorative products in Appalachia. Keynote speakers, an industry panel, regional meet-ups, producer stories, and an expanded expo are all things to look forward to.
2026 Keynote Speakers
The 2026 Gather to Grow Keynote Speakers are Graham Rigby, American Herbal Products Association President & CEO, and Elspeth Hay, journalist and author of Feed Us with Trees.
Accommodations
Room blocks are available at the Inn at Virginia Tech (conference venue), the Residence Inn Blacksburg, and Hyatt Place Blacksburg for Friday and Saturday nights (October 23-24th, 2026). Local Camping options below.
Please book accommodation directly with the hotels with the group rate links.
The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
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$132 per night single occupancy
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901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, 24061
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Phone: 540-2318000
Residence Inn Blacksburg
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$122 per night
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850 Prices Fork Road | Blacksburg, VA, 24060
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Phone: 540-750-4400
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Group Name: Gather to Grow
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Reservation Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1774983505671&key=GRP&app=resvlink
Hyatt Place Blacksburg / University
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$122 per night
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650 University City Blvd | Blacksburg, VA, 24060
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Phone: 540-552-7500
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Group Name: Gather to Grow
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Reservation Link: https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/CLTZB/G-GRDV
Camping
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Visit https://www.recreation.gov/ to find campsites in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest near Blacksburg.
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Claytor Lake State Park (30 mins from venue) (https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake
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Eggleston Springs Campground (20 mins from venue) https://egglestonspringscampground.net/
Travel
Reasonable prices and access by trains, planes, and automobiles make for a highly accessible event!
Driving Directions to The Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center - 901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, 24061
From Interstate 81, take Exit 118-B onto U.S. 460 West to Blacksburg. Follow the signs for Blacksburg/Virginia Tech. To reach the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, continue on U.S. 460 for 8.5 miles to the Prices Fork Road exit for “Downtown.” Merge onto Prices Fork Road and continue for approximately 0.5 miles. Turn right on Inn Lane and you’re there!
The Forest Farming Field Extravaganza will be held on Friday October 23, 2026 and will take place throughout Virginia Tech’s main campus. Check-in for this event will be at the Skelton Conference Center. Visit https://www.vt.edu/maps.html to explore campus maps.
The main conference events will begin with the Friday evening reception and continue through Sunday October 25, 2026 at 12:00pm at the Skelton Center. For more information please visit The Skelton Center’s website: https://www.innatvirginiatech.com/
Sponsorship
Sponsor the 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference. To our supporters of the 2024 inaugural event, thank you for your continued partnership.
● All sponsors receive recognition throughout the event promotions and benefit from digital and in-person opportunities.
● An absentee sponsorship option is available for tabling materials.
● Contributions of physical items for conference attendees or raffle are welcome.
Many thanks to our Sponsors to date:
The Barnes-Berry Family Trust
Traditional Medicinals
Native Botanicals
Rural Action
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Opportunities for the 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference October 23-25, 2026 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Up to 300 people are expected and the event will feature keynote speakers, interactive panels, and practical sessions.
Gather to Grow Expo spaces include one 6 foot long rectangular table and are available for set up Friday evening, and should be taken down by Sunday noon.
Exhibitor fees are $200 and are included in many Sponsorship packages.
Scholarship Opportunities
Thank you sponsors Rural Action and the Barnes-Berry Family Trust
Please fill out the Scholarship Request google form to be considered for a scholarship:
https://forms.gle/LqCwZX7sayNiGCCS6
Priority scholarship requests are accepted through June 22nd, 2026. All applicants will receive notice by July 10th, 2026 prior to the early bird registration deadline of July 15th, 2026.
Scholarship recipients will receive one regular conference registration including some meals ($299 Value) and two nights hotel accommodation on October 23rd and 24th, 2026. Travel is currently not covered but may be considered for those in need if funds become available.
Contact Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu with questions.
Speaker and Topic Nomination
Suggest topics and nominate speakers to lead one-hour sessions at the October 23-25th, 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center in Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Fill out this Speaker and Topic Nomination Google Form: https://forms.gle/iJAUofK7XtdViAN6A
A separate form is required for Speaker Proposals and will be forwarded to those nominated.
Call for Speaker Proposals
Submit a proposal to lead a one-hour session on a timely topic that is relevant for advancing forest farming opportunities and competitiveness. Please fill out the Speaker Call for Proposals google form: https://forms.gle/GGC6wjQi2aHN8ooDA
Proposal abstracts may be up to 250 words. Topics include but are not limited to: traditional ecological knowledge, planting stock supply, business planning and workforce development, industry partnerships and policies, tourism and community development, marketing and sales, product processing, value addition, and distribution, forest farming policy and advocacy, education, research, and communication.
Individual stakeholders or stakeholder teams are welcome to submit. Proposals will be evaluated against a rubric that balances proposal quality, topic relevance, and vision. Speaker selection is at the discretion of the conference planning team.
Speaker proposals are accepted through June 22nd, 2026, speakers will be notified by July 10, 2026. One conference registration including some meals are offered for selected speaker sessions ($299 Value). Teams of speakers will be offered registration as possible. Accommodation and travel may be available depending on need and conference numbers.
Please contact Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu with questions.
2026 Gather to Grow Conference Media
Downloadable
2024 Gather to Grow Conference
A Conference to Honor the Past and Shape the Future of Forest Farming
Watch videos, find program, media and more at the 2024 Gather to Grow Conference page.