HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — With the expansion of area farmers markets and a new local food market, opportunities are plentiful for farmers and producers in the Tri-State.

The WVU Small Farm Center wants to make sure everyone capitalizes on all of the potential in the area by utilizing the 2012 Tri-State Farm and Food Conference.

For the third straight year, farmers, producers, locavores and foodies will converge on Huntington for in-depth training and discussions on the agricultural community. The conference is Oct. 12 and 13, at Pullman Plaza Hotel, located at 1001 Third Avenue in Huntington, W.Va.

The conference will focus on the food system, or foodshed, within 50 miles of Huntington. This encompasses 15 counties in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. West Virginians spend more than $7 billion on food every year. Less than 1 percent of that wealth stays in West Virginia. But change is underway.

A new feature this year is the Farm Festival, which kicks off at 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12. The Farm Festival will feature a farmer’s market and a food fair. Local vendors will offer their farm products, while area chefs use local ingredients to showcase their best dishes at the food fair. These events are open to the public and will be held at Heritage Station.

The fun continues Saturday, when registrants will be able to choose from 30 session options.

Online registration is available by calling 304-293-2565 or visiting http://smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu/farmfoodconference.