About Our Conference
Powered by Grow & Fortify, this bi-annual conference unites local value-added and agritourism businesses and will return for its first post-Covid event in December 2022. Our summit introduces key industry players to strategic partners from the government and private sector and is one of the only professional gatherings geared towards innovation and value-added agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The 2022 Grow & Fortify Value-Added Agriculture Summit would not be possible without the incredible support of our event partners. Thank you to Farm Credit, the Rural Maryland Council and the Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center for their generous support of this year’s event.
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General Conference Agenda
This year’s Summit features a great lineup of presenters covering a variety of topics. The table below includes the day’s agenda. To learn more about our participating speakers, panelists and moderators, please visit our biographies page.
| Event Registration | ||
| 8:00-9:00 am | Event Registration & Breakfast | |
| Plenary | ||
| 9:00-9:15 am | Welcome: Grow & Fortify | |
| 9:15-10:00 am | Legislative Update and Future of VAA Moderated by Kevin Atticks, Grow & Fortify, this panel includes:
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| 10:00-10:45 am | Success Stories: Changing the Culture of “No!” Moderated by Janna Howley, Grow & Fortify, this panel includes:
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| 10:45-11:00 am | Coffee & Pastries / Exhibitor Visits | |
| 11:00-11:45 am | Keynote Address: Kim Bremmer Kim Bremmer shares her true passion of speaking up for agriculture everywhere she travels, from the grocery store to the airport. Kim will inspire you to feel confident in answering consumer questions, telling your story and sharing your enthusiasm. | |
| 11:45 am-12:45 pm | Rapid Fire Panel Moderated by Kelly Dudeck, Grow & Fortify, this panel includes:
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| Lunch | ||
| 12:45-1:45 pm | Lunch & Networking | |
| Breakout Sessions | ||
| 2:00-2:45 pm | Sustainability: Better For The Earth, Better For Your Bottom Line Laura Armstrong, Director, Sustainability Program at Maryland Department of the Environment leads a panel discussion on how sustainable practices can improve the environment and strengthen your business’s viability. This panel includes:
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| 2:00-2:45 pm | Creatively Connecting With Your Consumer Grow & Fortify’s Director of Communications, Jim Bauckman, explores creative ways to connect with today’s consumers. Hear from marketing experts and those who are using social media to creatively connect with new audiences. This panel includes:
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| 2:00-2:45 pm | Ag Law: Navigating Laws Applicable to the Creation of Value-Added Products from Specialty Crops When farmers decide to create value-added products, they have to navigate and understand the food safety, processing, and labeling laws that apply to their particular type of product. Sarah Everhart, Senior Legal Specialist from the Agriculture Law Education Initiative will lead a discussion to discuss exciting new resources to help farmers comply with the law and get products on the shelf sooner. | |
| Exhibitor Visits | ||
| 3:45-3:00 pm | Exhibitor Visits | |
| Breakout Sessions | ||
| 3:00-3:45 pm | Emerging and Potential Markets Emiliano Espinosa, Program Director for the Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center, leads a dynamic discussion with community leaders who are helping farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs tap into exciting new markets. This panel includes:
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| 3:00-3:45 pm | The Buy Local Resurgence And How To Keep It Going The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a resurgence in the Buy Local movement as consumers struggled to find goods in grocery stores and online. Kurt Fuchs, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Horizon Farm Credit, explores this renewed interest and discusses how farmers and value-added producers can help maintain its momentum. This panel includes:
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| 3:00-3:45 pm | The New Frontier In Agritourism: Unique Partners And Unique Ideas Agritourism thrives in areas where there is community support and engagement. Shelby Watson-Hampton, Director of Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, moderates this panel to explore unique partnerships and ideas that are paving the way for a new frontier in agritourism. This panel includes:
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| Networking | ||
| 4:00-5:30 pm | Craft Beverage Happy Hour |
Who Attends Our Conference
Are you a value-added agriculture producer, small food business, state or county agency representative, elected official, food and agriculture organization, media, blogger, or food policy organization?
The Grow & Fortify VAA Summit draws farmers, value-added producers, educators, advocates, researchers, market managers, homesteaders, gardeners, and change-makers who are passionate about growing, producing, selling and buying more local products.
Social & Networking Opportunities
The Summit’s educational sessions are interspersed with networking and a craft beverage happy hour featuring products from select producer members of the Brewers Association of Maryland, the Maryland Distillers Guild and the Maryland Wineries Association. We certainly appreciate how important it is to unwind and connect with one another!
2022 Grow & Fortify Summit Partners & Sponsors
Thank you to our 2022 Grow & Fortify Value-Added Agriculture Summit partners and sponsors. Without the support of these organizations, this conference would not be possible.
Conference Partners
Premier Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
