Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, Fairfield, Iowa
Whether you are in local food production, consumption or food system development, you'll find sessions of interest to you. We'll hear from innovative local food producers making a livelihood growing local food in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. We'll also hear from those on the leading edge of research, policy development and local food system development.
Keynote Speakers:
Denise O'Brien has been an organic farmer and family farm advocate for over 30 years. She and her husband ran a dairy farm for 20 of those 30 years. During that time Denise became interested in agriculture policy that promotes the family farm. She helped start several progressive programs to fight corporate influence in farming. In the 1990's she launched the Women, Food and Agriculture Network — an organization that supports women in farming.
Dave Swensen is an associate scientist in economics and a lecturer in community and regional planning at Iowa State University, and a lecturer in the graduate program in urban and regional planning at the University of Iowa. Dave has done numerous economic analysis related to local food production and regional economic impact potential.
Conference Sponsors: Pathfinders RC&D, Fairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Buy Fresh Buy Local, Iowa State Bank, First National Bank of Fairfield, MidWestOne Bank, Libertyville Savings Bank, Leopold Center, Ag MRC, University of Illinois Extension, North Central Region SARE, University of Missouri Extension and Iowa State University Extension.
