Virginia Farm to School and Directors Conference
Join us in Richmond on September 21–23, 2026!
The Virginia Farm to School and Directors Conference is a free, 2.5-day, dynamic education event hosted by the VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. The event convenes Virginia school and community nutrition program operators, producers, distributors, nonprofit organizations, and other farm to school stakeholders for program capacity building and networking sessions. It includes two separate conferences and pre-conference activities.
Submit your Session Proposal & Register Today
We Want to Hear from You!
- Submit your session proposal to highlight the great work you are doing. Submissions are due by July 10, 2026.
- Proposals should be for 60-minute dynamic, interactive breakout sessions in the form of presentations, panel discussions, or workshops.
- Speakers who propose the same or similar topics may be paired together in one conference session. Proposals will be scored with the Proposal Scoring Rubric.
- Submit your pre-conference site visit by July 10, 2026 to showcase your good work with attendees. Pre-conference site visits will be on September 21.
Community Partner Table Interest Form
Are you a community partner who wants to host a table at the Conference to enhance the educational experience of attendees? Submit the interest form by July 10, 2026. This is a great opportunity for organizations with resources to share.
Conference Registration
Register for the Conference by August 7, 2026! The Directors Conference day (and Both Days selection) is only open to leadership within school and community nutrition programs. The Virginia Farm to School Conference day is open to the public.
Need to change your registration details? Email SchoolNutritionPrograms@doe.virginia.gov if you need to change your registration details.
Agenda At-a-Glance
The conference agenda will be available soon!
Pre-Conference Field Trips (September 21)
- Registration coming soon!
Virginia Farm to School Conference Day (September 22)
- Open to the Public
Directors Conference Day (September 23)
- Child Nutrition Program leadership only
This Year’s Theme: Rooted in Partnerships
For Virginia's farm to school movement, partnerships lay the foundation for programs to grow, adapt, and thrive. This year’s theme, Rooted in Partnerships, highlights how stakeholders can work together with shared purpose to build strong, lasting programs.
The Commonwealth is also celebrating its tenth anniversary of the Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth on October 8, 2026. For ten years, stakeholders throughout Virginia have been making noise for farm to school programs and celebrating the connections between Virginia farms, students, and communities. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone together at this year’s conference!
Conference Hotel & Travel Information
The 2026 Virginia Farm to School and Directors Conference will be held at the OMNI Richmond Hotel. Attendees can book the conference hotel through the hotel block. Rooms are available until August 30, 2026, or until sold out.
Parking for the conference is available beneath the OMNI Richmond Hotel, which can be accessed via entrances on Canal Street or Cary Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit/cancel my registration?
Yes, email SchoolNutritionPrograms@doe.virginia.gov if you need to cancel or change your registration details.
Can I see what sessions are available prior to the conference?
Yes, VDOE-SCNP will provide the agenda to attendees before the conference via email and it will be available on the conference website.
How do I attend the pre-conference site visits?
Registration for the pre-conference site visits is coming soon. Optional pre-conference site visits will have limited space and registration will be first come first served. The VDOE-SCNP will inform attendees when the pre-conference site visit registration will open.
Are hotel rooms available for attendees?
Yes, please review the Conference Hotel & Travel Information section for more information. Space is limited!
Is there a conference app?
No, there is no conference app this year. The Conference website contains all the information. If additional information is needed, please reach out to SchoolNutritionPrograms@doe.virginia.gov.
Will meals be provided?
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided on both days. Please indicate dietary restrictions and food allergies when you register for the conference.