Growing Regional Agriculture Through Connection & Collaboration

Strengthening Southern Virginia’s local food system requires more than helping producers grow great products.

It requires connections.

That belief is at the center of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research’s (IALR) Value Chain initiative and will be on full display during Growing Regional Agriculture, an upcoming regional gathering designed to connect farmers, producers and agricultural partners from Southern Virginia and Northern North Carolina.

Hosted at IALR on May 6 from 9-11 a.m., the event will spotlight opportunities for farms of all sizes, introduce participants to emerging regional food hub efforts and encourage collaboration across county and state lines.

The gathering builds on recent momentum, including a visit earlier this year from Piedmont Community College, whose leadership, faculty and students toured IALR to explore shared goals around agricultural innovation, workforce development and food systems coordination.

“Events like this are about bringing people into the same room so connections can happen,” said Mitchell Doss, IALR’s Value Chain Coordinator. “When producers, educators and institutional partners understand each other’s needs, it becomes much easier to build a food system that works for everyone.”

Filling Gaps in the Food System

While many farmers and producers want to expand their reach, they often lack the time or resources to effectively market their goods. At the same time, institutional buyers, including schools, hospitals and large employers, want to source local produce but can’t realistically manage relationships with dozens of individual suppliers.

By serving as a connector, IALR helps bridge that divide.

The effort, which is supported by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, supports producers and purchasers across Bedford, Brunswick, Campbell and Charlotte counties, the City of Danville, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward counties, as well as Martinsville.

“This is about keeping food dollars local and helping farms remain viable,” said Scott Lowman, IALR’s Vice President of Applied Research. “When we can align production, aggregation and purchasing, the entire region benefits.”

Regional Collaboration in Action

That regional mindset was evident during Piedmont Community College’s recent visit to IALR. The group toured several facilities, including the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center, which is jointly operated by IALR and Virginia Tech, and discussed opportunities for collaboration as PCC advances its Center for Educational and Agricultural Development (CEAD) in Caswell County, North Carolina.

CEAD is an emerging regional initiative that will include a food hub, incubator farm space for beginning producers and workforce training programs. Like IALR’s Value Chain work, the project is designed to expand market opportunities, strengthen agricultural entrepreneurship and support rural economic development.

At Piedmont Community College, we believe the future of agriculture in our region depends on strong partnerships and shared vision,” said Dr. Kevin Lee, President of Piedmont Community College. “Our visit to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research reinforced that when education, industry and producers come together, we can create meaningful opportunities for our communities. Initiatives like our Center for Educational and Agricultural Development (CEAD) project are designed to strengthen local food systems, support entrepreneurship and ensure that our rural economies continue to grow and thrive.”

An Invitation To Get Involved

The Growing Regional Agriculture event is intended to continue and broaden that conversation around the best ways to connect producers with buyers in the region.

The event will introduce attendees to CEAD and other regional food hub efforts, provide space for farmers and partners to connect and highlight opportunities for commercial farms, diversifying operations and beginning producers alike.

IALR’s Value Chain coordinator also collaborates year-round with extension agents, nonprofits, food hubs and other partners to identify logistical barriers, share best practices and explore innovative distribution methods. Workshops and convenings like this one play a key role in building a more resilient and vibrant food system.

“Whether you grow food, buy food or support agriculture in other ways, there’s a place for you in this work,” Doss said.

Those interested in attending the Growing Regional Agriculture event are encouraged to REGISTER in advance.