2026 Gather to Grow
Forest Farming Conference
Rooted In and Branching Out
October 23 - 25th, 2026 | The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

The Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition is excited to welcome the community together again to share knowledge and connect this fall in Blacksburg, Virginia!

Update - May 2026

Early Bird Registration thru July 15th

Calls for Speakers and Scholarship Requests are now open!

Thank you to our sponsors to date:

Barnes-Berry Family Trust

Traditional Medicinals

Rural Action

Conference Registration

Early Bird rate of $249 thru July 15

$299 Normal Registration

Limited $199 Student Tickets

$149 Youth with Adult

About the 2026 Conference

The 2nd Gather to Grow multi day Forest Farming conference will be held in Blacksburg, Virginia on October 23-25, 2026 and feature learning and networking with the community at the heartwood of forest farming in Appalachia and beyond.

The conference will be held at the Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, and will feature learning, networking, and growing with the community surrounding forest farming of botanicals, mushrooms, syrups, and decorative products in Appalachia. Keynote speakers, an industry panel, regional meet-ups, producer stories, and an expanded expo are all things to look forward to.

Accommodations

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). Please book accommodation directly with the hotels with the group rate links.

The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center

$132 per night single occupancy
901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, 24061
Phone: 540-2318000
www.innatvirginiatech.com
Reservation Link: https://be.synxis.com/?adult=1&arrive=2026-10-23&chain=5388&child=0&currency=USD&depart=2026-10-25&group=GATA1026&hotel=32532&level=hotel&locale=en-US&productcurrency=USD&rooms=1

Residence Inn Blacksburg

$122 per night
850 Prices Fork Road | Blacksburg, VA, 24060
Phone: 540-750-4400
Group Name: Gather to Grow
Reservation Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1774983505671&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Hyatt Place Blacksburg / University

$122 per night
650 University City Blvd | Blacksburg, VA, 24060
Phone: 540-552-7500
Group Name: Gather to Grow
Reservation Link: https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/CLTZB/G-GRDV

Sponsorship

Sponsor the 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference. To our supporters of the 2024 inaugural event, thank you for your continued partnership.

● All sponsors receive recognition throughout the event promotions and benefit from digital and in-person opportunities.

● An absentee sponsorship option is available for tabling materials.

● Contributions of physical items for conference attendees or raffle are welcome.

Sponsorship Package

Scholarship Opportunities

Thank you sponsors Rural Action and the Barnes-Berry Family Trust

Please fill out the Scholarship Request google form to be considered for a scholarship:

https://forms.gle/LqCwZX7sayNiGCCS6

Priority scholarship requests are accepted through June 22nd, 2026. All applicants will receive notice by July 10th, 2026 prior to the early bird registration deadline of July 15th, 2026.

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.

Contact Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu with questions.

Scholarship Request

Speaker and Topic Nomination

Suggest topics and nominate speakers to lead one-hour sessions at the October 23-25th, 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center in Blacksburg, VA, USA.

Fill out this Speaker and Topic Nomination Google Form: https://forms.gle/iJAUofK7XtdViAN6A

A separate form is required for Speaker Proposals and will be forwarded to those nominated.

Speakers and Topics

Call for Speaker Proposals

Submit a proposal to lead a one-hour session on a timely topic that is relevant for advancing forest farming opportunities and competitiveness. Please fill out the Speaker Call for Proposals google form: https://forms.gle/GGC6wjQi2aHN8ooDA

Proposal abstracts may be up to 250 words. Topics include but are not limited to: traditional ecological knowledge, planting stock supply, business planning and workforce development, industry partnerships and policies, tourism and community development, marketing and sales, product processing, value addition, and distribution, forest farming policy and advocacy, education, research, and communication.

Individual stakeholders or stakeholder teams are welcome to submit. Proposals will be evaluated against a rubric that balances proposal quality, topic relevance, and vision. Speaker selection is at the discretion of the conference planning team.

Speaker proposals are accepted through June 22nd, 2026, speakers will be notified by July 10, 2026. One conference registration including some meals are offered for selected speaker sessions ($299 Value). Teams of speakers will be offered registration as possible. Accommodation and travel may be available depending on need and conference numbers.

Please contact Margaret_Bloomquist@ncsu.edu with questions.

Speaker Proposals

2026 Gather to Grow Conference Media

Downloadable