Everything Local Conference
strengthens Illinois food supply chain
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[January 21, 2025]
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — From Food to Flowers:
Everything Local Conference is returning Jan. 29 in Springfield to
bring together more people than ever from across Illinois’ local
food, specialty crop and farmers market supply chains.
The three-day event is a collaborative effort between producers and
agribusiness leaders to enhance local food systems, hosted in
partnership with Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers
Association (ISGA) and the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA).
“The From Food to Flowers Everything Local Conference is a special
time of year that truly brings together everyone working across the
regional food system to discuss issues, learn from each other,
connect and build for the future,” said Raghela Scavuzzo, IFB
associate director of food systems development. “A huge effort is
made to make sure there are educational topics, vendors and
networking opportunities for everyone. The connections built at this
event help create new markets, impacts regulation and develop
relationships that last.”
Everything Local will take place Jan. 29-31, at the Bank of
Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza.
Go here for more information or to register. Media interested in
attending should email Sierra Henry at shenry@ilfb.org.
The conference will feature more than 80 trade show exhibitors and
more than 100 speakers, three general sessions with industry
leaders, eight breakout session tracks, four specialization tracks
and Produce Safety Certification. Session topics will include
specialty crop production, farmers market management, urban
agriculture, community food systems, agritourism and more.
This year’s keynote speaker is Ambassador Ertharin
Cousin, managing director and CEO of FSF Ventures, and impact
investment fund, and CEO of Food Systems for the Future Institute,
the fund’s sister nonprofit. Both organizations support her vision
of a world without hunger and malnutrition. Cousin also serves as a
distinguished fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; a
Bosch Academy, Robert Weizsäcker fellow; and as a visiting scholar
at the Stanford University Center on Food Security and Environment.
Cousin served as the executive director of the United Nations World
Food Programme (WFP) from 2012 to 2017. During her tenure, the
14,000-member WFP annually provided life sustaining food assistance
to over 80 million people. Under her leadership the organization
began the longer-term work of identifying, championing and
implementing more sustainable solutions for global hunger and
malnutrition.
Aside from networking opportunities to develop and share new ideas,
attendees of the conference will have the chance to:
Hear perspectives from general session keynote speakers who
understand and champion the specialty and local food markets.
Participate in breakout tracks covering topics from digital
marketing to grant writing.
Engage with vendors, associations and nonprofits during the trade
show.
“This one-of-a-kind conference connects farmers and agribusiness
leaders across the state to enhance the robust Illinois local and
specialty agriculture system through a variety of networking
opportunities in one location,” said Jenna Spychal, Illinois
Specialty Growers Association chairman. “Everything Local provides
opportunities to growers, buyers and local food leaders to network
and connect.”
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From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference is returning Jan. 29 in
Springfield to bring together more people than ever from across Illinois’ local
food, specialty crop and farmers market supply chains. (Photo by Catrina Rawson,
Illinois Farm Bureau)
Other highlights taking place
will be the Illinois Apple Cider Contest, the three hosting
organizations’ annual meetings, awards, meet-the-buyer events,
stakeholder meetings, specialized trainings and workshops.
“In addition to offering ample networking opportunities,
attendees will gain valuable experience through dozens of
workshops,” said Janie Maxwell, Illinois Farmers Markets
Association executive director. “Sharing experiences and lessons
learned while building those crucial connections are really what
make this conference so valuable.”
About Illinois Farm Bureau
Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the
Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots
membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide
network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through
impactful advocacy, trusted information, and meaningful
development to support their careers and Illinois farm families.
Learn more about Illinois agriculture at www.ilfb.org. Connect
with Illinois Farm Bureau on Facebook: Illinois Farm Bureau |
Facebook, Instagram @ilfarmbureau, X @ILFarmBureau, or on TikTok
@illinoisfarmbureau.
About Illinois Specialty Growers Association
The purpose of Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) is
the promotion and development of the Illinois specialty crop
industry. ISGA was formed in 1989 to improve the coordination
and cooperation among our individual associations. ISGA is an
umbrella organization for the following affiliated associations:
Illinois Herb Association, Illinois Irrigation Association,
Illinois State Horticultural Society and Illinois Vegetable
Growers Association.
About Illinois Farmers Market Association
The Illinois Farmers Market Association was founded in 2012 to
connect the growing number of Illinois farmers markets, market
managers, producers, and consumers and provide coordinated
resources, advocacy, technical services, and training to ensure
the continued vibrancy and sustainability of Illinois Farmers
Markets. Additionally, ILFMA partners with local, state,
regional, and national organizations in educating market
managers, producers, and the general public on economic, health,
and social benefits of providing, promoting, and expanding
access for the increased consumption of fresh, local farm
products at farmers markets statewide.
[Text received from Illinois Farm
Bureau]
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