The 2025 Farm to Fork Summit and Expo was a huge success, bringing together over 170 people to celebrate and strengthen local food connections. See the listing of local contributors to the food value chain who attended and are helping build a resilient regional food system.

The Farm to Fork Summit isn’t just serving up knowledge—it’s serving up a farm-fresh meal that celebrates Missouri’s local food system. With ingredients sourced from numerous local farms and food producers, small food businesses, and representing over 9 rural communities, this year’s menu highlights the power of local food in strengthening rural economies while delivering a delicious experience for attendees.

The free forum, Farm to Fork Heartland Facebook Group, is a growing online community connecting local food producers, buyers, and supporters across Missouri, Kansas, and the Heartland region. It serves as a hub for networking, resource sharing, and promoting local food businesses, fostering collaboration within the regional food system.

New Growth's connections include partners like Kelly Asbury at the SBDC. By providing resources like microloans and specialized expertise, New Growth assists entrepreneurs like Lindsey Star of Artistic Isle in achieving their business goals.

Growing a business in our local rural region can have unique challenges. New Growth wants to bridge the gap by connecting both farm and non-farm business owners of West Central Missouri and Eastern Kansas to resources they may not know about.

The START HERE Business Acceleration Network is a team of resource partners working together to ensure rural small business success.