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 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. Visit
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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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.
[Illinois Farm Bureau]
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