HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A conference for lovers of fresh food will take place in Huntington next month.

The 2012 Tri-State Farm and Food Conference invites farmers, producers and locavores to the two-day event for in-depth training and discussions on the agricultural community in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.

The conference will focus on the food system within 50 miles of Huntington.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Oct. 12, when attendees select one workshop for the day. The four discussion-based workshop topics are farm to school, farmers markets, direct marketing and good handling and good agriculture.

Farm Festival, a new event for the conference, kicks off at 5 p.m. Oct. 12. It features a farmers market and a food fair. Local vendors will sell their farm products while area chefs use farmers' ingredients to showcase their dishes. The Farm Festival is open to the public.

Throughout the day on Oct. 13, guests will choose from 30 session subjects -- from dairy regulations to vegetable storage -- to learn about.

High school and college students interested in attending are eligible for a discounted registration fee.

To register for the conference, call 304-293-2565 or visit http://smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu/farmfoodconference.