Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability

Our Services
- Cooperative Development Services
  
  Whether you’re a farmers’ market or a commercial produce group, we can help you get organized. There are many considerations, including legal structures, setting your goals and objectives, and creating a strategy for governance and decision making. We can help you take the next step towards viability!
  
  Rural Business & Enterprise Development Services
  
  You might have a farm stand that you want to turn into a farm store, or just be wondering if you can afford to sell your chicken directly to consumers. Either way we can create a plan that will get you started and make you more competitive for financing and grants.
  
  Our Clients
  
  We have done projects in every corner of Virginia and most places in between too. We strive to provide solutions to every type of operation, big or small, niche or generalized.
Resources
- Business Center
  
  Library
  
  White Papers
  Additional Resources
  Grant Materials
  
  Useful Links
  
  Technical Resources
  Financial Resources
  Informational Resources
  
  VA FAIRS - Foundation For Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability VA FAIRS - Foundation For Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability is with Honey River Farm and 7 others.
  
  2 months ago
  
  🌾✨ We had a fantastic turnout at this year’s Virginia Agritourism Conference! It was inspiring to connect with producers, partners, and industry leaders from across the Commonwealth. The day was full of great conversations, engaging sessions, and exciting tours. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event such a success!
  
  #virginiaagriculture #agriculture #AgInnovation ... See MoreSee Less
  
  Photo
Bull Pen
Taste of Virginia
VA Farm Relief Fund
FAQ
About Us
- Our Mission
  
  To foster sustainable agricultural economic development opportunities that empower farmers, agribusinesses, and their communities.
  
  Our Staff
  
  Meet the Team
  
  Our Partners
Contact

MEET OUR BOARD

VA FAIRS Board of Directors

The VA FAIRS board of directors provides oversight and guidance for the foundation to accomplish its mission of assisting rural Virginians.

Board President, Virginia Farm Bureau

Wayne Pryor

Board President, Virginia Farm Bureau

Board Vice President, Virginia Farm Bureau

Scott Sink

Board Vice President, Virginia Farm Bureau

Board Secretary, Virginia Farm Bureau

Kathleen Early

Board Secretary, Virginia Farm Bureau

Board Treasurer, Virginia Farm Bureau

David Priddy

Board Treasurer, Virginia Farm Bureau

Board Assistant Secretary, Virginia Farm Bureau

Marc Follmer

Board Assistant Secretary, Virginia Farm Bureau

Director, Agricultural Producer

Suzanne Bates

Director, Agricultural Producer

Director, Meadowview Strategies

Brad Copenhaver

Director, Meadowview Strategies

Director, VSU Small Farm Outreach

William Crutchfield

Director, VSU Small Farm Outreach

Director, Bader Rutter

Emma Davis

Director, Bader Rutter

Director, Virginia Tech

Dixie Watts-Dalton

Director, Virginia Tech

Director, Virginia Farm Bureau

Emily Edmondson

Director, Virginia Farm Bureau

Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Joanne Jones

Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Director, Eastern Bioplastics

Cecil (Sonny) Meyerhoeffer Jr.

Director, Eastern Bioplastics

Director, Botanical Bites & Provisions

Anita Robertson

Director, Botanical Bites & Provisions

Director, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Stephen Versen

Director, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Director, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Rachel Meyers

Director, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Director, First Bank and Trust

Susan Upshaw

Director, First Bank and Trust