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 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.
Friday, October 23rd: Explore pre-conference activities like outdoor learning stations, an old growth forest tour, and more before the 5 pm Welcome Reception. Enjoy Blacksburg for dinner on your own.
Saturday, October 24th: Kick off the conference with Keynote Speaker Graham Rigby, before a full day of sessions and discussion panels, alongside the Gather to Grow Forest Farming Expo. Later in the afternoon, there will be a regional meetup breakout session, poster session and book signing before dinner at 6 with Keynote Speaker Elspeth Hay. Wrap up a full day of learning with Appalachian music by Steve Krueger & band.
Sunday, October 25th: Saving the best for last, Sunday morning brings the final sessions with headliners on American Ginseng and more before departing, full of forest farming inspiration. Be sure to find the Speaker Announcement and forthcoming online conference schedule for more information.
September 2026:
Speaker Announcement, Poster
Sessions, & Book Signing is Live
Calling all Sponsors and Exhibitors!
Coming soon: Schedule, Speaker Bios
and more.
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$299 Adult Registration
$199 Student Registration (Limited)
$149 Youth Registration (with Adult)
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)
Gather to Grow Speakers
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.
Many thanks to our Sponsors to date!
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
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
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 15th, or by September 30, 2026 at the latest.
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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
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
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Reservation Link: https://be.synxis.com/?adult=1&arrive=2026-10-23&chain=5388&child=0¤cy=USD&depart=2026-10-25&group=GATA1026&hotel=32532&level=hotel&locale=en-US&productcurrency=USD&rooms=1
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
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.