2026 Gather to Grow
Forest Farming Conference
"Rooted In and Branching Out"
October 23 - 25th, 2026
The Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center | Blacksburg, Virginia
Profy Countdown Timer: Visible on Live site
The Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition is excited to welcome the community together again to celebrate, share knowledge and network this fall in Blacksburg, Virginia! The 2nd Gather to Grow multi-day Forest Farming conference will be held on October 23-25, 2026 at the beautiful Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center, located in the heart of the Blue Ridge: Blacksburg, Virginia.
October 2026 Updates
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Registration remains open through October 15th
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Reduced price Youth ($149) and Student ($199) tickets available
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Poster Session deadline has been extended to October 8th: Poster submission form
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5 Exhibitor tables remain for the Forest Farming Expo
Quick Navigation Menu:
$299 Adult Registration
$199 Student Registration (Limited)
$149 Youth Registration (with Adult)
Registration open until October 15!
Gather to Grow Keynote Speakers
Author of Feed Us with Trees, Creator of the Local Food Report (featured on CAI - Cape and Islands NPR Station)
Conference Speakers & Sessions
The Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition and conference planning team are thrilled to share the list of speakers and sessions to date!
Whether you are a seasoned woodland grower, an educator, a researcher, an industry rep, or just beginning your forest farming journey, this conference program brings together voices from across the Appalachians and beyond to share insights on conservation, cultivation, market trends, history, ecology, & community.
Keep an eye on this conference page for updates and more information as we are adding more speakers and topics and announcement in the coming weeks.
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.
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Want an exhibitor table? Most sponsorship packages include a 6ft table and full conference registration.
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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.
Exhibiting at the Gather to Grow Expo
Branch out and grow with us at the Gather to Grow Expo!
Exhibitor fees are $200 and are included in many Sponsorship packages. Expo spaces include one 6 foot long rectangular table and are available for set up Friday evening, and must be taken down by Sunday noon. Please note that conference registration is not included in the exhibitor fees. Contact info@appalachianforestfarmers.org with questions.
Scholarship Opportunities
Thank you to our scholarship sponsors
Rural Action and The Barnes-Berry Family Trust
The GTG Scholarship Application remains open. Limited scholarships remain for beginning farmers of Appalachian counties of OH, KY & TN. The conference planning team is seeking sponsorship funding for additional scholarships. If you've already submitted a request for scholarship, your time stamped submission will remain in queue for consideration if additional funds become available.
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.
2026 Gather to Grow Poster Session
Poster Session deadline extended to October 8th!
Saturday October 24th from 4-5:30pm at the Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, Blacksburg, Virginia.
The recommended print size is 36” tall by 48” wide. Posters must be mounted on firm backing (poster board, cardboard) and will be presented on standard easels in a casual format.
Please fill out the poster session google form or email (margaret_bloomquist@ncsu.edu) the following information to be considered by our print deadline of September 15th, additional posters will be considered through September 30th, 2026 and published in the digital program.
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Author Name(s) (for printed program)
Please follow format: First Last [1], First Last [2], First Last [3]
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Affiliation(s) (for printed program)
Please follow format: [1] Title, Affiliation 1, Affiliation 2; [2] Title,
Affiliation 1, Affiliation 2; [3] Title, Affiliation 1, Affiliation 2
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Poster title (for printed program, aim for 10 words or less)
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Abstract/Summary (200 words maximum)
2026 Gather to Grow Book Signing
Saturday 4-5:30PM at the Forest Farming Expo
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Elspeth Hay Feed Us With Trees
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Jeanine Davis Growing & Marketing Ginseng, Goldenseal, and other Woodland Medicinals
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Jim Hamilton The Last Entry
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Chris & Katherine Parker The Mycelial Healer
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David A. Taylor Ginseng, the Divine Root
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Carol Bates Cannabis, Vinigars and Wild Foods, Oh My!
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Victor Harris Minority Landowner Magazine 30th edition
Would you like to participate in a book signing at the Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference? Saturday October 24th, 2026 from 4-5:30pm at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. Authors provide their own books and are welcome to sell books during the book signing at provided tables (two authors per table, 3 feet of table each).
Please submit your book title and author name(s) in the book signing google form or by email (margaret_bloomquist@ncsu.edu) for the printed program by September 30, 2026 or October 8 for digital media.
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Author(s) Name (for program)
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Book Title (for program)
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Author Biography, Optional (100 words maximum)
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Would you like to include a cover image or link? Please email to info@appalachianforestfarmers.org
Accommodations, Camping & Travel
Thank you for your questions about carpooling, opportunities for shared accommodations, and sharing your announcements to conference goers! There will be a community table to share business cards, network, and exchange information at the Forest Farming Expo.
Please email Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu with your requests or availability ahead of the event and we can attempt to connect folks who have an announcement to share, accommodation sharing, carpooling connections, etc.
All hotel room block deadlines are September 23, 2026
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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901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, 24061
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Phone: 540-2318000
Residence Inn Blacksburg
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850 Prices Fork Road | Blacksburg, VA, 24060
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Phone: 540-750-4400
Hyatt Place Blacksburg / University
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650 University City Blvd | Blacksburg, VA, 24060
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Phone: 540-552-7500
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/
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Walking and dancing shoes*
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Cash or payment apps for vendors and cash bar**
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Seeds, scions, and plants for the SE Seed and Plant Share***
*Bring your walking shoes and prepare for fall weather on Friday afternoon for pre conference activities, and throughout the weekend at your leisure. Walking destinations, a forested trail, and horticulture gardens are accessible from the conference center. The campus of Virginia Tech has many green areas to explore. Saturday and Sunday will be primarily indoors. Saturday night features Appalachian music and a dance floor.
**Vendors and a cash-bar may prefer cash or payment applications for purchases and tipping. Water, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available throughout the event. The Friday evening reception will provide appetizers. On Saturday, continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included with registration. Sunday continental breakfast will be provided.
***The Southeastern Seed and Plant Share has been sharing seeds, supplies, and educational plant propagation information for 30 years! Thank you to Lee Barnes & Friends for hosting. Stop by throughout the weekend to swap seeds, stories, and scions.
What to Bring
2026 gather to grow Conference media
Download from gallery below.
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.