Forum for Rural Innovation

The purpose of the Forum for Rural Innovation is to showcase replicable innovative ideas, projects and programs that enhance farm and rural business profitability, conserve farm land and natural resources, or develop new approaches to rural prosperity that are viable in an expensive farmland upscale consumer environment. The Forum features a series of presentations that emphasize farming for high profitability through the use of innovative and sound business approaches particularly suited to the Mid-Atlantic region.  The forum began in March of 2005 and has been held every year since at the Lee Jackson in Winchester, Virginia.

The Forum for Rural Innovation is a cooperative educational effort by the

Offices of Agricultural Economic Development and Cooperative Extension in

Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, and Loudoun Counties, Virginia; Berkeley and

Jefferson Counties, West Virginia; Potomac Headwaters and Shenandoah

RC&D; Virginia Cooperative Extension; and West Virginia University Extension Service

Forum for Rural Innovation Planning Committee

Christie Dunkle (Town of Berryville)

Ray Pickering (Fauquier County Development Authority)

Kellie Boles (Jefferson County Agriculture Development Office)

Gary Hornbaker, Warren Howell, Ann Higgins Melissa Piper Nelson, Lou Nichols (Loudoun County Agriculture Development Office)

Rebecca McLeod ( Potomac Headwaters RC&D)

Corey Childs, Jacob Grove, Leslie Blischak,Tim Mize (Virginia Cooperative Extension)

Mary Beth Bennett, Craig Yohn ( West Virginia Extension)

Recorded presentations are available in several formats depending on the year.  Use the side bar on the right to access information from past Forums.