Farm to Fork Connections

By
Rondle Dines
March 10, 2025
Food & Agriculture
Business Networking
News

Over 170 people gathered at the Nevada, MO Community Center on Friday, March 7, for the 2025 Farm to Fork Summit and Expo. The event was a celebration of local food, farm businesses,and the connections that strengthen our rural communities.

The summit featured 30 exhibitors and 10 total engaging sessions, bringing together farmers, food producers, business owners, and community leaders from across the region. Attendees had the opportunity to network, share ideas, and learn from experts on topics ranging from farm business planning to value-added production, food safety, and local market development.

A highlight of the day was the delicious locally sourced lunch, catered by the Osceola FFA Competition BBQ Team. The meal was not just a feast for the palate but a true reflection of the farm-to-fork spirit, showcasing the bounty of our region and the hard work of local producers.

"Events like this are where ideas take root and grow," said Patty Cantrell, New Growth Food System Network Builder. "It's about creating spaces for learning, connection, and collaboration, so our food systems and rural economies can thrive."

The Farm to Fork Summit and Expo is part of New Growth's ongoing mission to build resilient food systems and strengthen local economies. It offers a valuable platform for learning, relationship-building, and advancing the farm and food businesses that nourish our communities.

Understanding the Food Value Chain and the Power of Local Connections

A food value chain is the network of relationships and processes that move food from the farm to the table. It includes every step—growing, processing, packaging, distributing, and selling— and the businesses that support every step of the process along the way. The value chain includes all the people and businesses that make it happen. Each connection in the chain adds value, ensuring that food is safe, high-quality, and easily accessible to consumers.

Building strong local connections within the food value chain is essential for creating resilient local food systems. When farmers, processors, distributors, retailers, and consumers connect and collaborate, they strengthen the local economy, reduce transportation costs, and increase food security. Local value chains also foster trust and transparency, helping consumers know where their food comes from and how it is produced.

This Food Value Chain Directory submitted by attendees of the 2025 Farm to Fork Summit is meant to support these vital local and regional connections. By bringing together local producers, suppliers, and buyers, the directory helps businesses and communities find the partnerships they need to grow and thrive. It's a one way for building stronger, more sustainable local food systems—one connection at a time.

Thank you to all who attended, exhibited, and shared their knowledge. Together, we are cultivating stronger local food systems and growing opportunities across our region.

Local Food Value Chain Directory

Here’s a directory of the farms, businesses, and organizations that attended the 2025 Farm to Fork Summit and chose to be listed. Together, we're cultivating stronger local food systems and growing opportunities across our region.

Helping these local businesses grow will help make local food an easier choice!

Farmers

  • Swift Creek Farm and K-Manufacturing
  • Harvick Farms
  •  Eclectic Flora Farm
    •  Products: Veggies, nursery plants, house ornamental      plants
    •  Address: 15235 Lawrence 1180, Aurora, MO 65605
    •  Phone: 417-609-1688
  •  Pepper Berries Farm
    •  Contact: preciouspetals64076@yahoo.com
  •  Tinker Creek Ranch
    •  Products: Cattle, meat goats
    •  Contact: Cynthia Spangler, cspangler1768@gmail.com
    •  Facebook: Tinker Creek Ranch
  •  Terra Verde Acres
    •  Products: Worm Castings
    •  Email: terraverdeacres24@gmail.com
    •  Phone: 417-844-3151 / 417-262-3896
    •  Facebook: Terra Verde Acres LLC
  •  Harvest Haven LLC
    •  Products: Produce, herbs, dried herbs, edible flowers, garden planning, and consulting
    •  Facebook: @harvesthaven
    •  Phone: 417-812-1168
    •  Location: Springfield, MO
  •  WEMO Wagyu
    •  Products: Beef, pork, poultry
    •  Email: wemowagyu@gmail.com
    •  Facebook: WEMO Wagyu
  •  Ruthie Mae Bloom LLC
    •  Products: Cut flowers
    •  Phone: 660-909-7962
  •  Centennial Roots Homestead
    •  Products: Homestead hands-on workshops, nursery plants, herbs, flowers, variety of berries
    •  Contact: Kristin Robertson
    •  Website: https://www.centennialroots.com
    •  Phone: 417-262-0481

Farmers' Markets

Distributors

  • Little Farm Association
    •  Services: Easy access for buyers to connect with producers, logistical support, home delivery for producers
    •  Website: https://littlefarmstore.com
    •  Phone: 417-929-1338
    •  Email: office@littlefarm.store
  • Farmstop Online
    • Services: online marketplace that offers a year-round outlet for producers, with the aim of helping  connect producers with local customers.
    • Website: https://farmstop.online
    • Contact: Kevin Williams
    • E: kevin.williams@farmstop.online,

Input Suppliers

Business Services

Hunger-Relief Institutions

  • Ozarks Food Harvest
    •  Services: Gleaning, pickups for donation, connections to hunger-relief organizations, local purchasing opportunities in SWMO

Schools/Institutions

  • Lincoln University
    •  Services: Outreach and education opportunities
  • MU Extension Barry County
    • Services: Training for dairy producers
    • https://www.facebook.com/BarryCoExtension
     

Plans are already underway for an even bigger Farm to Fork Summit next year! Stay connected online by joining our Farm to Fork Heartland Facebook Group and be sure to sign up for New Growth News at the bottom of this page for news on this and more events across our region!

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