About VABF

The Virginia Association for Biological Farming is an active network of citizens in and around Virginia whose primary focus is to provide information and services to farmers, gardeners and consumers about biological agriculture.

New farming methods are being successfully and increasingly implemented in Virginia and around the world. With understanding of ecosystems and natural processes comes a decreased need for hazardous pesticides and other materials and practices which damage soil and contaminate groundwater supplies.

Biological agriculture involves the use of natural methods and materials, and focuses on soil building, recycling of organic farm materials, and protection of wildlife and water resources.

VABF has several regional chapters and active committees, operated by a dedicated group of volunteers and governed by an elected board of directors. Operating funds are raised from membership dues, donations and grants.

The Goals of VABF

• to provide producer and consumer education on ecological/ sustainable agriculture;
• to promote the adoption of ecological/ sustainable agricultural systems and practices;
• to enlarge the understanding of ecological agriculture through research and study; and
• to promote the viability of rural communities through activities that encourage locally-based food systems and their supporting infrastructures.

Membership in VABF

Our membership includes farmers, gardeners, consumers, merchants, educators and others, working together to strengthen biological agriculture. When you join VABF, you will:

• receive a subscription to our journal, The Virginia Biological Farmer;
• be notified of conferences, meetings, workshops and seminars on biological and organic farming and gardening;
• be kept abreast of changes in state and federal laws relating to healthy, nutritious food products.

Your membership also comes with a directory of members - a whole network of energetic, like-minded advocates for sustainable agriculture. Join us - and be part of the solution!

Membership Application -- just print and mail.

Active regional VABF chapters

Central Virginia Chapter

Sarah Hood
Tel. 434-591-0885, dirtunderhernails@yahoo.com

New River Chapter

Patty Kitchin, 4111 Hopper Lane, Riner, VA 24149
Tel. 540-381-1504, pkitchin@vt.edu

Richmond Chapter

Patricia Stansbury, Epic Gardens, 7800 Epic Rd., Bon Air, VA 23235
Tel. (804) 272-0725, EpicGardens@verizon.net

Tidewater Chapter

Charlie Maloney, HCR 74, Box 2885, Cologne, VA 23037
Tel. 804- 785-9401, dayspringfarm@aol.com

Appalachian Sustainable Development (Highlands region)

Anthony Flaccavento, Tom Peterson, ASD, P.O. Box 791, Abingdon, VA 24210.
Tel. 276-623-1121, asdfarm@eva.org

If there is no VABF chapter in your area, why not start one? It is not difficult. Contact Katherine Smith or Pam Dawling for information on starting a VABF chapter.

Active VABF committees

• Education
• Library and Archives - Ruth Klippstein
• Marketing - Andy Hankins
• Publications - Mark Schonbeck mark@abundantdawn.org
• Research - Mark Schonbeck

VABF Board of Directors

Katherine Smith, President

PO Box 503, Buena Vista, VA 24416
540-261-2562
persimmon@rockbridge.net

Kevin Damian, Vice President

9211 Camptown Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23116
804-550-2109
kevd1@vcu.org

Christine Burkholder, Treasurer

Glen Eco Farm
10943 Wills Creek Road, Linville, VA 22834
540-833-8802
glenecofarm@planetcomm.net

Lawrence Latane, Secreatry

737 Popes Creek Rd., Washington's Birthplace, Va. 22443
804-224-7039
lwlatane@sylvaninfo.net

Mike Burton

483 Eanes Road, Check, VA 24072
540-651-2427
mikeburton7@hotmail.com

Michael LaChance

Nelson County Extension, P.O. Box 298, Lovingston, VA 22949
804-293-4035
lachance@vt.edu

Tony Lagana

2697 Poindexter Rd., Louisa, Va. 23093
434-263-6868
ploughsharecsa@yahoo.com

Gary Scott

P.O. Box 472, Lovingston, Va. 22949
434-263-6868
twinspringsfarm@ceva.net

Patricia Stansbury

Epic Gardens, 7800 Epic Road, Bon Air, VA 23235
804-272-0725
EpicGardens@verizon.net

VABF Committees/Staff/Contacts

Marilyn Buerkens, VA Biological Farming Conference Registrar

5146 Plank Rd., Natural Bridge, VA 24578
540-291-4333;
vabfconference@live.com

Linda Davis: Office Manager

PO Box 1003, Lexington, VA 24450
540-463-6363
VaBioFarming@hotmail.com

Andy Hankins: VA Biological Farming Conference Coordinator

Virginia State University, Box 9081, Petersburg, VA 23806
804-524-5962 (w); 804-966-7129 (h);
ahankins@vsu.edu

Jeanne Harris: President of the VABF Foundation

1715 Blair St., Christiansburg, VA 24073
540-633-0089
harris.jeanne.n@gmail.com

Mark Schonbeck: Newsletter Editor, Liaison to Southern SAWG and National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture;

439 Valley Drive NW, Floyd, VA 24091
540-745-4130;
mark@abundantdawn.org

To contact VABF write:

VABF
P.O. Box 1003
Lexington, VA 24450
VaBioFarming@hotmail.com