**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY WILL PARTNER WITH THE AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY ALLIANCE TO HOST THE 2024 NATIONAL FARM VIABILITY CONFERENCE IN CHARLESTON, WV. THE CONFERENCE WILL CONVENE APPROXIMATELY 300 PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS THE NATION FOR PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING AND NETWORKING WITH A FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING FARM SUSTAINABILITY, BUILDING STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS, AND SUPPORTING THE LONG-TERM PROFITABILITY OF FARMING AND AGRI-ENTREPRENEURS FROM START-UPS TO GENERATIONAL BUSINESSES.OUR THEME, MOUNTAINS OF EXCELLENCE - GROWING EQUITY, INCLUSION AND SUSTAINABILITY WILL FOCUS ON 1) MODELS TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED AGRIBUSINESS THROUGH FARM AND FOOD BUSINESS PLANNING, FINANCIAL PLANNING, AGRICULTURAL FINANCING, FARMLAND CONSERVATION, AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT, AND FOOD HUB MANAGEMENT; AND 2) MODELS TO IMPROVE THE SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION OF LIMITED RESOURCES AND UNDERSERVED AUDIENCES ACROSS THE NATION THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE ENTRY AND FARM VIABILITY, AND BY INCREASING THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO THEM.OVERALL, THIS CONFERENCE AIMS TO INCREASE THE REACH AND EFFECTIVENESS OF NATIONAL FARM VIABILITY PROGRAMS AND PRACTITIONERS BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES, RESOURCES, EDUCATIONAL CURRICULA, AND TRAINING TOOLS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS AND AGRIBUSINESSES.