A main component of any project is the development of human resources. The HR component of the program involves general education, training, and applied research.

By training farmers to adapt to the changing agricultural climate and sell more food directly to consumers, we will increase their profitability and, in many cases, help save the family farm.

The following table summarizes the beneficiaries that have participated in VA FAIRS coordinated projects since 2008:

The training areas covered by VA FAIRS include business management, grant writing, marketing, economics, quality, sustainability, and other areas. VA FAIRS organizes the various training activities through surveys and specific requests from farms.

The training and technical assistance provided by VA FAIRS are coordinated so that both activities complement each other. The results translate into higher productivity for the participants.  

The facilities at Virginia Farm Bureau have proven to be useful and cost effective for our clients. In addition, USDA and other government agencies and non-governmental organizations coordinate efforts with us to make training activities productive for the farmers, farm workers, food hub directors, food and agriculture industry suppliers, and other beneficiaries.

The agriculture and food areas covered include:

• Aquaculture
• Beekeeping/honey
• Fruits/Vegetables to processed value added products
• Grains/bio-energy/identity preserved
• Grape and wine growing, mead
• Livestock/meat
• Milk and dairy products
• Other value added products (through food hubs)
• Water/bottled water

Each curriculum is tailored to the demands of the beneficiaries. With clear objectives, goals, support materials, and learning methodologies, the training has proven successful as evaluated by the participants. We use the resources of our expert staff, as well as outside consultants and nationally known speakers.

VA FAIRS has created numerous workshops, seminars and conferences for producers. The following are just a few examples:

• We have conducted at least 15, day-long planning workshops on the Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG) and Rural Energy for America Programs (REAP).
• We have conducted training on how to write USDA Grants, attended by more than 500 participants
• We have conducted seminars on value added products
• We have created summits on bio energy for a state wide audience
• We regularly conduct seminars and workshops on risk management for our clients.

• VA FAIRS actively seeks to transfer its knowledge to other states and regions.
• VA FAIRS encourages out of state participants to attend its training sessions and conferences.
• VA FAIRS has set up and presented training workshops in Maryland and Delaware.
• VA FAIRS has presented a day-long Value Added Producer Grant and Rural Energy for America Program planning workshop in South Carolina at the request of the SC State Center.
• VA FAIRS has presented at the Farm Bureau Southern Region Commodity Conference. We have also presented programs at American Farm Bureau Federation informing a national audience about our techniques.
• VA FAIRS staff has given presentations on risk management throughout the Southeast innumerous workshops and seminars. These events have had audiences ranging in size from hundreds to thousands.
• USDA staff in North Carolina, Maryland, and South Carolina has asked VA FAIRS for assistance with projects. The center has worked in all these states with the USDA Rural Programs.
• VFBF, a major partner and sponsor of VA FAIRS produces a monthly magazine that has a circulation in excess of 145,000. VA FAIRS has access to the magazine and has the opportunity to have articles published regarding cooperative business and market development.
• VFBF also has an extensive national network through the American Farm Bureau Federation. VA FAIRS uses the opportunity to utilize the network and share its experiences and successes in cooperative development in all 50 states. We shares our experiences, philosophies, and "lessons learned" with others both through individual professional networks and through multi-state and national venues including the activities, meetings and conferences sponsored by Farm Bureau.

VA FAIRS believes in applied research and is currently leading multiple applied research projects:

• Food Hubs. We have developed reports on issues impacting the development of local food hubs. Parts of this report have been published in three different media outlets, including the Rural Cooperative Magazine in May/June 2011.
• Guidebooks. The Virginia Business Legal Structures guide was finished in April 2011. This research created a guidebook for groups attempting to determine what legal structure will best serve them. The paper compares these forms and the relative strengths and weaknesses of each. The paper has been provided to many groups.
• Marketing Guides. Virginia Local Beef Processing Market Guide. VA FAIRS staff have researched and written a background and marketing report on local VA beef marketing endeavors. Several of our client cooperatives are utilizing this report.
• Mobile Processing. We have developed reports on issues impacting the development of mobile animal processing facilities. These have been utilized by several client cooperatives in planning their expansion approaches
• Biomass Crops. We participated in applied research to develop a system that will guarantee good stands of switchgrass and other warm season grasses. As part of our research results into suitable biomass crops for the Southeastern U.S., a specific variety has been identified that yields promising results.