Central ND News

The 21st Annual Local Foods Conference is scheduled to take place from October 16 to 18 at the Chieftain Conference Center in Carrington, North Dakota. The event is organized by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and the North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association (NDFMGA).

The conference will focus on the theme “Building Resilience in a Vibrant Ecosystem.” According to Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, “This year’s conference includes in-depth sessions focusing on marketing for small businesses, food safety, season extension strategies, Farm to School, soil health and community food access. There will also be plenty of opportunities for participants to network with each other.”

Activities begin Thursday evening with a workshop and social event hosted by FARRMS. A new addition this year is the Local Foods Conference Farmers Market, which will be open to the public on Friday, October 17, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Chieftain Conference Center. Several sessions are planned for both Friday and Saturday.

The conference aims to bring together farmers, ranchers, food businesses, educators, Extension staff, nonprofits, cooperatives and community leaders to strengthen local food systems in North Dakota. Registration for both the conference and farmers market can be completed online at www.ndda.nd.gov/local-foods-conference. The NDFMGA will reimburse the conference fee for the first 25 first-time attendees from North Dakota.

For more information about the event or registration details, individuals can contact Jenna Nieters at NDDA or Keith Knudson at NDFMGA.