Farm-to-table dinner spotlights New River Valley farmers; funds agriculture literacy

Riner, VA – Oct. 28—Taste of Virginia, a fundraising event benefitting Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom held in various regions of Virginia, will take place Friday, Nov. 13, from 6-9 p.m. at The 84, located at 5178 Webbs Mill Road N. in Riner.

Media credentials are available to area newspaper, radio and television personnel covering the event. Availability is limited, so media are encouraged to reserve their spot by emailing Christina Amano Dolan at christina.dolan@vafb.com no later than 4 p.m. Nov. 2.

AITC has partnered with Hethwood Market in Blacksburg to feature foods from farmers and agribusinesses in the New River Valley. The dinner will bring together quality proteins, exceptional produce and delicious local spirits from nearby farms and other producers. Guests will even hear from some of the farmers that provided the ingredients for the dinners—all while supporting agriculture literacy in Virginia schools.

Virginia Farm Bureau President Scott Sink said the organization is “proud to celebrate the region’s diverse agricultural landscape, highlight our hardworking members behind the meal, and help foster meaningful farm-to-table connections in the local community and beyond.

 “AITC’s efforts to connect children across the commonwealth to agriculture—the state’s No. 1 industry—are integral to Virginia Farm Bureau’s mission of protecting and cultivating a future for all Virginians,” he noted.

AITC is a nonprofit organization that provides resources, training and support to schools, educators and volunteers so that they can meaningfully connect children to agriculture. That is accomplished through AITC-designed lessons and resources, educator training workshops, newsletters, school grants, teacher awards, and volunteer projects and initiatives such as Agriculture Literacy Week. Lessons are designed to support core subjects and uphold the Virginia Standards of Learning.

AITC is fully funded by donations, so fundraising events are crucial to its success.

“This is our second year hosting regional Taste of Virginia events,” noted Christy Murphy, AITC’s director of development. “Our goal is to offer attendees the unique opportunity to meet their local producers and hear their stories while supporting our program’s efforts to teach the next generation about where their food comes from, and why agriculture is so important.”

The Nov. 13 event falls on the eve of Virginia Tech’s annual Ag Day, hosted by Virginia Farm Bureau, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Virginia Cooperative Extension to celebrate Virginia’s agricultural industry, which is the state’s No. 1 economic driver.

Taste of Virginia sponsorships are still available, and tickets also can be purchased at app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/VirginiaFoundationforAgricult_2/TasteofVANRV.html.

Contact Christina Amano Dolan, VFBF communications, at 804-401-0793.