The Kansas Rural Center’s 2016 Farm & Food Conference will offer a wealth of information around the theme of transforming our farm and food system to better meet future environmental, economic and social challenges. With three dynamic keynote presentations and over 25 breakout sessions, the conference promises to appeal to a broad spectrum of attendees. The conference will be held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan, Kansas, on November 18 – 19, 2016. A complete agenda and registration information can be found at http://kansasruralcenter.org/conference-2016.

This year’s conference includes a track sponsored by North Central Region – Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE), titled “The Farmer Forum.” This track will highlight SARE-funded farmer research projects, with presentations by eight farmers from across Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

The farmers will discuss their research projects which include creating a depository of local honey bee strains from feral hives; the economics of haying/grazing cover crops; economic analysis of cover crops, soil health and livestock; evaluating the roller crimper for cover crop control; mobile processing units for poultry; growing mushrooms with ag byproducts; and reduced tillage. NCR-SARE staff will also offer a workshop on grant writing for farmers who might be interested in applying for a SARE farmer/rancher grant, or other grant proposal.

Other workshops, presentations, and panel discussions will cover a wide range of topics, offering very practical how-to information for farmers and ranchers, community organizing ideas for civic leaders and engaged citizens, and policy analysis, discussion of issues, and inspiring models of paradigm shift around farming and food systems for all who attend.

Topics to be covered include opportunities in organics; pollinator habitat on the farm; specialty crop planning, production and profitability; the state of local foods in Kansas; weathering hard times on the farm; the food safety modernization act; stories of lessons learned and challenges overcome when starting out in farming; adding livestock to small and urban farms; the farm bill; grazing management for all seasons; spray drift impacts and implications; tree and forest management for climate change and biodiversity; farm transitions; food hubs; expanding opportunities for small-scale meat producers in Kansas; soil health and diversity; engaging Kansas policy makers; renewable energy and more.

The conference will feature three keynote speakers who will focus on the importance of pollinators and soil health to diversified farming systems, and the critical role of connections and networks in creating healthy, viable local food systems. Keynote speakers include entomologist and award-winning researcher, Dr. Jonathan Lundgren; author and Stanford University lecturer, Dr. Liz Carlisle; and senior pollinator conservation specialist, Jennifer Hopwood.

Duane Goossen and Heidi Holliday, Kansas Center for Economic Growth, will also provide a special overview of the Kansas economy and the issues and challenges that the State Legislature and citizens of Kansas will face in 2017.

Lunch featuring locally-sourced ingredients will be provided each day, offering conference attendees a hearty, healthy meal and time for networking and visiting exhibitor booths in order to connect with and learn more about the great people and exciting things happening in farming, food production and the environment, in Kansas and beyond.

A social hour with live music and locally-crafted beverages and snacks will immediately follow the final workshop sessions on Friday, November 18. Don’t miss this chance to continue the conversations of the day, catch up with old friends or get to know new ones in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Cost to attend the conference is $65 per day, or $120 for both days. Registration includes access to all presenters, lunch and snacks both days, and the Friday evening social hour. Student scholarships may be available.

To learn more about becoming a sponsor, registering, or scholarships at this year’s conference visit http://kansasruralcenter.org/conference-2016/, or call Natalie Fullerton at 866-579-5469 Extension 701, or email info@kansasruralcenter.org.

The mission of KRC, a non-profit research, education and advocacy organization founded in 1979, is to promote the long-term health of the land and its people through research, education and advocacy that advance an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just food and farming system. For more information, visit www.kansasruralcenter.org.