Hillsboro, W.Va. (WVDN) — The West Virginia Forest Farming Initiative (WVFFI), in partnership with the Yew Mountain Center, invites the public to a full weekend of learning, land-based connection, and cultural exploration during the Forest Farming Field Day Weekend, taking place May 1–3, 2026 in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. This is the seventh year that the event has been hosted at the Yew Mountain Center and this year’s event is full of great educators and learning opportunities.
The main event of the weekend is the West Virginia Forest Farming Field Day on Saturday, May 2, from 8 AM – 8 PM at the Yew Mountain Center’s forest farm. This immersive event offers participants the opportunity to learn how to rejuvenate forested land through the cultivation of medicinal herbs, mushrooms, and maple syrup, while exploring viable pathways for generating income through sustainable forest-based agriculture.
The 2026 WV Forest Farming Forum will feature a diverse range of workshops and hands-on sessions led by experienced growers, educators, and tradition bearers.
Workshops and sessions include:
● Forest Farming Expert Panel
● Site Selection for Forest Crops
● Forest Botanical Propagation
● Getting Started with Honey Bees
● Silvopasture & Farming Your Forest Margins
● Maple Syrup: From Tree to Table
● Wild Appalachian Sericulture: Collaborating with North American Silk Moths
● From Totems to Beds: Cultivating Gourmet Mushrooms in Your Forest Garden
● Three Sisters of Silviculture: Living in Covenant with the Land
Featured presenters include: Margaret Bruning, Larry Jent, Joe & Brenda (E.B. Fungi), Mary Hufford, Joey Aloi, Wes White, Will Lewis, and Ed Daniels.
The weekend begins on Friday, May 1 at 5:30 PM with a Wild Edibles Walk at the Yew Mountain Center, offering a guided introduction to safe and responsible foraging practices in the Appalachian forest.
On Sunday, May 3 at 12 PM, participants are invited to the Pocahontas County Opera House for a special gathering, “The Living Roots of Appalachian Music.” This presentation explores the Indigenous influences on traditional Appalachian music, featuring Native American musician
Larry Jent and old-time fiddler Myra Morrison. Attendees are encouraged to bring an instrument, pack a lunch, and join in a shared musical and cultural conversation.
Registration for the May 2 Field Day includes a full day of workshops, lunch and dinner, and forest farming materials and technical assistance. In keeping with WVFFI’s commitment to accessibility, the event is offered on a sliding scale. While the true cost exceeds $150 per person, participants may choose a rate that reflects their means:
● Sustaining Rate: $100
● Essential Cost: $60
● Scholarship Rate: $20
Scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance. Requests can be submitted to info@wvforestfarming.org prior to registration.
Event Location: The Yew Mountain Center, 9494 Lobelia Rd, Hillsboro, WV (Approximately 30 minutes from Marlinton; GPS may be unreliable—please do not take George Hill Rd.)
The Yew Mountain Center serves as the home base for WVFFI and is a 500-acre nature sanctuary, community and educational center, and lodging and camping destination. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its mission is to provide programs that explore Appalachian ecology, culture, and the arts while promoting personal and community wellness.
The West Virginia Forest Farming Initiative is a collaborative effort to grow a thriving ecosystem and economy for non-timber forest products and the people who steward them. Through education, technical support, and initiatives like the Mountain Medicine Trail, WVFFI is helping cultivate a more sustainable and resilient future rooted in the forests of Appalachia.
“This weekend is an invitation,” organizers share, “to learn from the forest, from one another, and from the deep cultural roots that continue to shape this region.”
For more information or to register, please visit wvforestfarming.org or contact info@wvforestfarming.org.
