ISSUED: 13 March 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Farmers, food producers, and regional food system leaders will gather at Shepherd University’s Agricultural Innovation Center on April 3–4 for Soil Health to Shelf: Build Your Soil. Build Your Brand, a free, hands-on conference designed to help growers strengthen their operations and expand their markets.
Sponsored by Shepherd’s Agricultural Innovation Center, the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, and the Virginia Association for Biological Farming, the two-day event will bring together farmers exploring organic and regenerative practices, value-added food producers who transform agricultural products into specialty foods, cooperative leaders supporting regional food systems, and buyers interested in sourcing locally and regionally produced goods.
Attendees will participate in farmer-led demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and practical sessions focused on growing farm businesses, developing value-added products, and positioning goods for wholesale and cooperative markets. The event also aims to strengthen collaboration within the regional food economy and expand opportunities for farm and food businesses.
The conference will take place at Shepherd’s Agricultural Innovation Center, a hub for sustainable agriculture education, workforce development, and community engagement that is also home to the University’s Tabler Student Farm.
The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.soilhealthtoshelf.com.
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