Early bird conference registrations close on July 15th! ~ 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!
June 2026: Early bird conference rates end July 15; calling all Sponsors and Exhibitors; Speakers & Topic nominations, limited scholarships now closed. Forest Farming Expo and Pre-conference activity information coming soon!
Early Bird rate of $249 thru July 15
$299 Adult Registration
$199 Student Registration (Limited)
$149 Youth Registration (with Adult)
About the 2026 Gather to grow 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 on campus 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
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
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Author of Feed Us with Trees, Creator of the Local Food Report (featured on CAI - Cape and Islands NPR Station)
Gather to Grow Expo and Pre-conference
activity information coming soon!
Conference Sponsorship
Sponsor the 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference! All sponsors receive recognition throughout the event promotions and benefit from digital and in-person opportunities.
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See the information package for more details.
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Want a table at the Gather to Grow Expo on Sat & Sun? Most sponsorship packages include an exhibitor table as well as conference registration (Fri - Sun including meals).
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An absentee sponsorship option is available if you wish to sponsor and send table materials for the Expo.
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Contributions of physical items (books, gear, products, etc.) for conference attendees or raffle are welcome.
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Contact the planning team at info@appalachianforestfarmers.org with questions.
Many thanks to our Sponsors to date:
The Barnes-Berry Family Trust
Traditional Medicinals
Native Botanicals
Rural Action
Conference Expo and Exhibitors
Branch out and grow with us at the Gather to Grow Expo on Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th. Drawing up to 300 land and forest owners, producers, forest farmers, professionals and more from Appalachia and beyond, this is a special opportunity to exhibit your farm products, work, or goods to our vibrant group in person. The 2026 Gather to Grow Conference features keynote speakers, pre conference activities, interactive panels, and practical sessions for all experience levels.
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 (see above).
Contact info@appalachianforestfarmers.org with questions.
Scholarship Opportunities
Thank you to our scholarship sponsors
Rural Action and The Barnes-Berry Family Trust
Limited scholarships are now closed. Thank you to all who applied. 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.
Speaker and Topic Nomination
Speaker Proposals and Speaker & Topic Nominations are now closed. Thank you to all who submitted. Proposed and nominated speakers will be notified as soon as possible, prior to the early bird registration deadline of July 15th, 2026. 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.
Call for Speaker Proposals
Speaker Proposals are now closed. Thank you to all who shared interest in participating. Proposed and nominated speakers will be notified as soon as possible, prior to the early bird registration deadline of July 15th, 2026.
Submit a proposal to lead a one-hour session on a timely topic that is relevant for advancing forest farming opportunities and competitiveness.
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.
Conference Accommodations and Travel
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 Options
Visit 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)
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Eggleston Springs Campground (20 mins from venue)
Travel Information
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/
2026 gather to grow Conference media
Downloadable from gallery.
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.