The 8th Annual Forum for Rural Innovation Draws in a Record Crowd

The eighth annual Forum for Rural Innovation brought in close to 200 guests last Friday morning in Winchester, VA to hear a variety of speakers discuss innovative practices relevant to the agricultural community. The Forum, which focused this year on “Direct Marketing Beyond Farmers Markets,” is a cooperative educational effort by the Offices of Agricultural Economic Development and Cooperative Extension in Clarke, Fauquier and Loudoun Counties in Virginia; Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, West Virginia; the Town of Berryville; and the Small Business Development Center of the Eastern Panhandle. Kellie Boles, Agricultural Development Officer for Loudoun County said, “The Rural Regional Group represents areas that have similar agricultural strengths, identifies the diverse assets of participating communities and collaborates to strengthen the region’s rural economy. The eighth annual Forum for Rural Innovation has become the signature event to highlight the multi-state, multi-county regional effort to promote rural business development. The rural economy is no longer defined by the political boundaries of a city, county, or state line-the rural economy of the Washington DC Metropolitan region is formed around the assets of multiple communities.”

Friday’s diverse presenters shared their personal experiences and were met with a receptive and attentive audience. One of the most energetic and interactive presentations was given by Loudoun resident and rural business owner Stephen Mackey, co-owner of Mesh Multimedia and Notaviva Vineyards in Purcellville, VA. Mackey provided a crash course on the use of QR Codes in the marketing of businesses and products. He also provided a live demonstration, and walked the group step-by-step on how to generate the code and scan them using a smart phone device.

Kate Zurschmeide of Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA also presented to the group as a past recipient of the Rural Innovation Award, which recognizes an area farm or agricultural business for their innovative ideas, projects, programs and/or production practices. Kate discussed the history of her farm, which includes a thriving CSA program and a host of agritourism events, as well as new opportunities and projects she is currently undertaking.

Amongst this year’s 2012 Rural Innovation winners, Loudoun’s own Doug Fabbioli of Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, VA was honored. Fabbioli Cellars opened five years ago and consists of 25 acres, with eight acres of wine grapes and two acres of raspberries, asparagus and pears. The farm winery produces and sells approximately 4, 000 cases of wine annually, which are sold at local farmers markets as well as wholesale throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

Copies of the presentations given by the host of speakers are available by contacting the Department of Economic Development. Please contact Coco Lyons at coco.lyons@loudoun.gov to obtain a copy.

The Forum for Rural Innovation is hosted annually and the next one tentatively scheduled for March 8, 2013.
About the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development
The Loudoun County Department of Economic Development (LCDED) provides excellent customer focused economic development services to attract, grow and retain targeted businesses and promotes entrepreneurism, in order to diversify and strengthen Loudoun’s economy. The LCDED provides site location and business development assistance, and facilitates connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies expand, locate, and launch. www.biz.loudoun.gov

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