North Dakota Ag Connection - Dive into local foods - North Dakota's 20th annual celebration

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Dive into local foods - North Dakota's 20th annual celebration
North Dakota Ag Connection - 03/08/2024

Excitement is brewing in North Dakota as the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and the North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association (NDFMGA) gear up for the 20th Annual Local Foods Conference.

Themed "Fresh from North Dakota," this event promises to bring together local food enthusiasts, producers, and experts at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck, from Thursday, March 21, to Saturday, March 23.

Understanding the hurdles faced by farmers, particularly in revenue generation and consumer marketing, the conference is packed with sessions focused on innovative programs like Farm to School, as well as enhancing production practices and business development.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring highlights the conference as a premier opportunity for networking and growth within the local food community.

The conference will kick off with a "Fresh from North Dakota" social, featuring a feast prepared by a local producer and a cooking demo by celebrity chef Christy Rost, who will also deliver the keynote address on Saturday.

Attendees can look forward to a range of breakout sessions covering topics from high tunnel farming and regional food business centers to food safety and soil health.

Open to the public, the conference includes meals and snacks with registration. The Thursday evening social is $25 per person, while the full Friday and Saturday registration is set at $75 per person, with a $25 premium for walk-ins.

Registration details can be found at ndfarmersmarkets.org/conference.

An optional produce grower training session will coincide with the conference, offering insights into produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).

Registration for this session is available at forms.office.com/g/LUjWtSmVQz.

For any inquiries regarding the training session or the Local Foods Conference, Katrina Hanenberg, local foods marketing specialist, is available on 701-328-2659.

Don't miss this chance to dive deep into the heart of local food production and innovation in North Dakota.

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