Farm to Fork 2025

Happiness is one of the most important and least recognized parts of building a farm that can withstand weather extremes and, in the process, generate cost savings and new market options. Farm to Fork 2024's keynote speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Heilman, helps farms and ranches realize the personal and business satisfaction that resilient agriculture principles and practices promise.

She is a professor in the School of Education at Witchita State University and a member of the Regenerative Wisdom consulting group led by The Drought Resilient Farm author, Dale Strickler. Mr. Strickler will offer drought resilient farm session at Farm to Fork. Dr. Heiolman will kick us off with a close look at the assumptions and beliefs we must understand to consider and implement change.

Embark on a transformative journey into the world of drought-resilient farming with agricultural expert, Dale Strickler. Dale will offer insights into strategies that empower farmers to not only survive but thrive in arid conditions. This presentation is designed for farmers seeking sustainable and resilient solutions in the face of drought. Join in and learn how to cultivate a future-proof farm.

Learn about efforts right here in Nevada and Vernon County, MO, to build local food into school meals and education. Dana Redburn will explain the Healthy Nevada farm to school program; how it started and where it is headed. She will discuss working with farmers and other partners. Discover how you can get involved or how you can connect with a farm to school program near you.

Learn about best practices for increasing local food offerings at grocery stores. Erica Blair with Kansas State university's Rural Grocery Initiative will share innovative local sourcing models from across the country. Chelsea Davis, owner of Root Cellar in Columbia, Missouri, will share firsthand experience as a farmer and grocer selling locally grown food from 80+ producers.

This session is tailored to equip you with strategies to maximize your farm's visibility and profitability. It is designed for farmers, agribusiness professionals, and anyone interested in the intersection of agriculture and marketing. Walk away with actionable insights and practical tips to evaluate your farm's marketing game in today's competitive market.

Now that you're interested in using conservation practices on your farm, how do you start? Today, there are many services and resources out there to help you get going! This session will provide an overview of different financial and technical assistance programs available in Missouri aimed at helping farmers implement conservation practices.

Gain valuable insights for funding sustainable agriculture, community-driven projects, or technical innovations. This session provides a unique platform for attendees to actively participate in discussions, share experiences, and form connections that extend beyond the session. Join us to learn about grant opportunities and the customer and community-driven designs that win.

This informative breakout session explores strategies, challenges, and successes in the realm of wholesale distribution to schools and early childhood education facilities (ECE). It is tailored to farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs. Join us for an engaging discussion on how local businesses can play a pivotal role in shaping healthier, more sustainable food environments for schools and beyond.

Across Missouri and the "Heartland" Midwest region, organizations are teaming up to build a more comprehensive and robust support system for small and mid-sized food and farm businesses serving local and regional markets. Learn what this team can do for you, including assistance in preparing applications for upcoming business-building grant opportuinities.

Whether you have a backyard garden, community plot, or farm, this informative and inspiring session will empower you to become a steward of agricultural biodiversity. Sow the seeds of knowledge and contribute to the resilience of our food systems through the time-honored practive of seed saving. The Buffalo Seed Company presentation will focus on the benefits of seed saving for a more sustainable food system. Nancy Kost will demonstrate how to clean various kinds of seeds (wet seeds, dry harvest seeds, and small seeds).