Special Guest Speakers
Special guest speakers included Michael Quinn, Director, Montpelier Foundation; Richard Weeks, Deputy Director, DEQ; Patrick Fitzgerald, Policy Analyst, National Wildlife Federation; The Honorable Ed Scott, member, Virginia House of Delegates; and The Honorable Edd Houck, member, Senate of Virginia.

Locally Grown Sustainable Food
A major feature of the gathering was provision of locally grown and prepared meals. Lunch was provided by Paul Diegel of Real Foods and dinner catered by Spencer Yeager of Hen and Bacon BBQ. For example, the smoked and glazed pork loin and roasted chicken was from Papa Weavers farm, the garlic potatoes were from Hartland Farm, the tossed salad ingredients were from Brightwood Farm, Ashland Farm, Miller Farm and Marshalls Dairy. The apple sauce, fruit cobbler, and apple cider were from Graves Mountain Farm and the dinner rolls and apple cake came from local business, Valentine’s Country Meats.

Education Programs in the Field
Six half-day adventures by local educators highlighted regional EE programs

• White Oak Canyon  in Shenandoah National Park
• Project Underground Workshop – karst and watershed ecology
• Sustainable Niche: Sheep to Shawl – a sustainable farm
• Meaningful Watershed Experience – local watershed
• Canoe Trip at Lake Anna State Park
• Sustainability Begins with Historic Preservation at Montpelier

Click here to read about the field trips that were offered.