local food & farmers market annual...

ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU &ILLINOIS FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION

Local Food & Farmers MarketANNUAL CONFERENCE

2020

www.ilfb.org/livelocal

TOGETHER WE CAN GROW into something greater... something more connected... something that benefits you, your community, and Illinois farming.

Agenda .................................................4

Tuesday, March 10 ................................5

Wednesday, March 11 ...........................8

Thursday, March 12 ............................13

Curbside Consulting ...........................16

General Session Speaker Biographies ....20

Exhibitors ...........................................22

Thank You to Our Sponsors ................25

Notes ..................................................26

TABLE OF Contents

8

Monday November, 5

4

Conference Agenda

Registration: 7:30AM-8:30AMNetworking Breakfast: .......................7:15AM-8:30AMWelcome: .............................................8:30AM-8:35AMOpening Remarks: ..............................8:35AM-8:45AM Lt. Governor Juliana StrattonGeneral Session: ................................8:45AM-9:30AM Why is Everyone Suddenly Talking About Storytelling?Breakout Session: .............................9:45AM-10:45AM Communicating with Your Local Government How to Accept SNAP at Your Market Using Social Media to Drive Attendance Merchandising Your Booth, Display, or Stand Break: ...............................................10:45AM-11:15AMBreakout Session: ........................... 11:15AM-12:15PM Getting Your Business in Storytelling Mode Best Practices to Having a Kick@$$ Fundraiser Digital Communities Changing the Way You SampleLunch: ..................................................12:15PM-1:15PM

General Session: ..................................1:15PM-2:00PM Direct Farm Marketing Trends and How to Respond Strategically to Emerging Demand

Breakout Session: ................................2:15PM-3:15PM Navigating Tough Conversations 10 Things Your Lender Wants You to Do How to Pick the Right E-Commerce Provider Reach New Audiences with Buy Fresh Buy Local

Break: ............................................. 3:15PM-3:45PMBreakout Session: ................................3:45PM-4:45PM NavigatingConflict FundingFoodCo-ops:Trends,StrategiesandBenefits Social Media 101 for #SmallBusiness Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for Building a Successful Farm to Fork Event

General Session: ..................................5:00PM-5:45PM Local Food, Local Places: Two Different Communities Sharing a Common Vision

Dinner: ..................................................6:00PM-7:30PM

TUESDAY, March 10

WEDNESDAY, March 11

Registration: 7:30AM-8:30AMFull Day Workshops Produce Safety Workshop: .......... 8:00AM-5:00PMAM Workshops: ...............................8:00AM-12:00PM Farmers Market Bootcamp Farmers Market Pros SNAP-LINK at Your Market Key Grantsmanship & Strategic Planning Planning for Growth Farm-to-Fork-TourBreak: .... 10:00AM-11:00AM (varied by workshop)

Lunch: 11:30AM-1:30PM (varied by workshop)

PM Workshops: ............................... 12:30PM-5:00PM Building Your People Management Skills How to DIY Your Digital Marketing Bootcamp Pollinating Pocketbooks: Pin-Pointing Conservations on theFarmProfitability Writing Effective Grant Proposals Collaboration to Build a Regional Food System Farm-to-Fork TourBreak: ........... 3:00PM-4:00PM (varied by workshop)

Networking Cocktail Hour:.............. 4:30PM-6:30PM

Optional Farm to Table Dinner:....... 7:00PM-9:30PM (Ticketed event: The Edge)

Networking Breakfast: .......................7:30AM-8:30AM

General Session: .................................8:30AM-9:00AM A Journey into the Local Food Movement from the . Ground Up

Breakout Session: .............................9:15AM-10:15AM Our World Needs Your Story Turning Visitors to Customers Sample Laws: What are the Rules? Utilizing a Golf Course Sustainability Program to Build Your BusinessBreak: ..............................................10:15AM-10:45AM

Breakout Session: ...........................10:45AM-11:45AM Get Engaged: Innovative Storytelling Connect to Customers Building a Food Community What You Need to Know about Selling Cottage Food Why Market Your Products to SchoolsLunch: ..................................................12:00PM-1:00PMBreakout Session: ................................1:15PM-2:15PM Illinois Harvest of the Month Shifting Public & Institutional Food Spend to Local . Producers Food Safety at Farmers Markets Finding the Right Farmers MarketClosing Remarks: .................................2:30PM-3:00PM

THURSDAY, March 12

5TOGETHER we can grow into something greater.

Monday November, 5Conference Agenda Tuesday, March, 10: Program Description

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING BREAKFAST 7:15AM-8:30AM / CONVENTION CENTER HALLWAY

FULL DAY WORKSHOP8:00AM-5:00PM / RIVER J

Food Safety ModernizationAct: Produce Safety Workshop_____________________________

RUPLAL CHOUDHARY, Southern Illinois University

LAURIE GEORGE, University of Illinois Extension

DOUG GUCKER. University of Illinois Extension

JAMES THEURI, University of Illinois Extension In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

AM WORKSHOPS8:15AM-9:45AM / RIVER I Farmers Market Welcome and Networking_____________________________

9:00AM-12:00PM / RIVER IFarmers Market Bootcamp_____________________________

DEBORAH CAVANAUGH-GRANT, New Leaf Consulting

SHARON GRAMM, Peoria RiverFront Association

NATALIE KENNY MARQUEZ, Grow Marketing + Communications, LLC

HYDE TAIDGHIN O’BRIEN, The Land Connection

9:00AM-9:50AM Farmers Market 101; Pt 1 In this informative session participants will discover the roles and responsibilities of a market manager. Deborah and Natalie are Certified

Market Managers. The session will cover the basics of market governance, communication strategies, annual marketing, planning, data collection, and financial sustainability.

10:00AM-10:50AM Farmers Market 101; Pt 2 This session builds on the information provided in Part 1. Part 1 and 2 are recommended, however, each session will stand alone. In this informative session participants will discover the roles and responsibilities of a market manager. The session will cover the basics of market governance, communication strategies, annual marketing planning, data collection, and financial sustainability.

11:00AM-11:50AM

Get Creative with Hyperlocal Marketing and Fundraising Farmers markets, no matter the size, are hyperlocal, community-focused events. They are successful when market managers build meaningful relationships with local residents, small businesses, and community organizations and then leverage those connections for marketing and fundraising/sponsorship campaigns. Learn about some creative ways other markets have focused on hyperlocal development and workshop some of your own ideas to build stronger community involvement and financial stability.

9:00AM-12:00PM / RIVER HFarmers Market Pros _____________________________

PHILLIP ALBERTI, University of Illinois Extension

CATHERINE DUNLAP, City of Bloomington PAUL IMOBERSTAG, Banner Harvest YOLANDA IMOBERSTAG, Banner Harvest CATHY MCDERMOTT, Rock River Development Partnership SHEREE MORATTO, Rogers Park Business Alliance YESCENIA MOTA, City of Chicago

9:00AM-9:50AMSimple Data Collection=Big ImpactThis session explores farmers market metrics. Data Collection doesn’t have to be complicated to make a big impact. It may sound daunting but even simple data can help tell your farmers market story and show its economic impact. Hear from market managers from Rogers Park, Bloomington, and Rockford on their data collection methods and impact stories.

10:00AM-10:50AMHemp: From Field to MarketThe signing of the Illinois hemp bill has provided opportunities for the cultivation, distribution, and processing of hemp for fiber, grain, and CBD. This versatile cash crop has the potential to empower small farmers but is not without its own set of challenges. This session will cover a wide array of topics including production start to finish, market trends, and things farmers market managers should be aware of.

11:00AM-11:50AMManaging for SuccessLearn what it takes to run a market, what management skills and systems are needed to guide a market to success, and its community partners. Get an insider’s look at farmers market management.

9:00AM-12:00PM / RIVER GSNAP-LINK at Your Market _____________________________

COREY CHATMAN,Experimental Station

TARISSA JOHNSON, USDA

9:00AM-9:50AMShould My Market Accept SNAP Payments? Procs and Cons

Many markets across Illinois are now accepting SNAP payments, but many more are undecided. Come join us as we openly discuss the Pros and Cons on accepting SNAP. You should walk away from this discussion with a better understanding of what it takes to run a SNAP program.

Monday November, 5

6 GROW. BUY. EAT

Tuesday, March, 10: Program Description

10:00AM-10:50AMNuts and Bolts of a SNAP/LINK at your Farmers Market

This presentation will discuss the nuts and bolts of putting your new SNAP Program to work. We will discuss how the redemption system works, record keeping, as well as receipt and token processing, equipment resources and much more. Receive information on how to complete the USDA Food and Nutrition Services SNAP retailers’ application and how to obtain a wireless Electronic Transfer (EBT) machine. If you have questions, we will have the answers.

11:00AM-11:50AMAdvanced Strategies for Growing a SNAP Program at Your Farmers Market

A successful SNAP program requires much more than a “build it and they will come” philosophy. In this session, we will cover barriers to access and creative ways of overcoming those obstacles. We will also cover marketing strategies to promote your SNAP program and other healthy eating possibilities, plus ways to recruit and educate partners. Find out how educating can benefit your program and provide your community with impactful options.

9:00AM-12:30PM / FON DU LAC A-CKey Grantsmanship & Strategic Planning _____________________________

DR. MARIA ESFORMES, Grant Training Center

This is Part 1 of a 2-part workshop, however, each session will stand alone

This workshop covers the diversity of donors, search engines, and converting ideas into fundable projects. Key grantsmanship areas will focus on the proactive approach and strategic planning that positions your organization to submit proposals that are credible, innovative, and

applicable for the diversity of farm-related projects. After the workshop, you will understand how to navigate the world of grant procurement and demonstrate the excellence and innovation that propels your project beyond other submissions. You will also understand the diversity of the funding community and how to respond to various guidelines.

9:00AM-12:30PM / FON DU LAC D-FPlanning for Growth_____________________________

JULIA SHANKS, The Farmer’s Office

This ½ day workshop is designed to help both established and beginning farmers understand the financials of their business and learn how to make informed decisions to increase profits. The goals of the workshop are to plan for profit, examine YOUR farm enterprises and better understand financial statements. It is best suited for those with at least one year of farming or similar experience.

This workshop covers the following topics:

1: How reading your financial statements can help you improve profitability and manage cash flow

2: How to calculate your cost of production, and how to use it for pricing strategies

3: Using break-even analysis to set sales goals and evaluate new opportunities

Farm-To-Fork Tour 8:15AM-12:00PM / BUS TOUR_____________________________

Meet in the front lobby by 8:00am 8:15AM Depart hotel

9:00AM Grandma and Grandpa’s Farm Sparland, Illinois

10:45AM Sun Dappled Farm (Savanna Institute Demonstration Farm), Hanna City, Illinois

11:35AM Pottstown Deli & Meat, Peoria, Illinois

12:20PM Return to Hotel

NETWORKING BREAK 10:00AM-11:00AM / EXHIBITOR ROOMS & HALLWAYThis is varied by workshop

NETWORKING LUNCH 11:30AM-1:30PM / HOTEL ATRIUM This is varied by workshop

PM WORKSHOPS1:00PM-4:30PM / RIVER I

Building Your People Management Skills_________________________

KRISTINE RANGER, Agri-food Systems Consultant

RACHEL CONVENTRY, Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

CATHERINE DUNLAP, Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market

KEN MYSZKA, Epiphany Farm

This 3-hour interactive session will include tips, tools and best practices for anyone charged with developing and capitalizing on the human aspect of your operation, whether it be a farm, Farmers Market, NPO, or other component of the agri-food industry.

Gain insights into how you can shift your business strategy, HR system and communications to focus on the holistic needs of employees for a higher return on investment and engagement.

4:00PM-4:30PMManagement Panel All conference participants are invited to join us for a capstone panel discussion featuring three regional business leaders with different HR perspectives, including their challenges, successes and failures.

Tuesday, March, 10: Program Description Tuesday, March, 10: Program Description


Monday November, 5 Tuesday, March, 10: Program DescriptionTuesday, March, 10: Program Description Tuesday, March, 10: Program Description

1:00PM-4:30PM / RIVER H How to DIY Your Digital Marketing Bootcamp ____________________________

KELLY GAGNON, GRIT HQ

Are you ready to up your marketing game for 2020 but don’t know where to start? Do you feel like you’re spinning your wheels when it comes to social media, digital ads, your website, and overall marketing to get your target customers to show up and buy from you? Attend this interactive, half-day workshop and walk away with a better idea of your target customer, concrete strategies to improve your website traffic and developing a social media content calendar to use immediately for your 2020 season!

1:00PM-4:30PM / RIVER G

Pollinating Pocketbooks: Pin-Pointing Conservations on the Farm Profitability____________________________

DALLAS GLAZIK, Pheasants Forever

Dive into how to use technology to locate low profit areas on a farm operation and then conservation practices that can decrease outputs and increase inputs. This analysis is beneficial for all types on farms from large to small, conventional to regenerative. Farm the Best Conserve the Rest.

1:00PM-5:00PM / BUS TOURFarm-To-Fork Tour _________________________

Meet in the front lobby by 12:45pm

1:00PM Depart Hotel

2:10PM Banner Harvest Market, Banner, Illinois

2:10PM Banner Harvest Farm, Banner, Illinois

3:15PM Down River Farm, East Peoria, Illinois

4:15PM Sous Chef, Peoria, Illinois

5:00PM Return to Hotel

NETWORKING BREAK 3:00PM-4:00PM / EXHIBITOR ROOMS & HALLWAYThis is varied by workshop

NETWORKING COCKTAIL HOUR 4:30PM-6:30PM / EXHIBITOR ROOMS & HALLWAY

7:00PM-9:30PMEdge: A Farm to Fork Dinner _________________________

CHEF DUSTIN ALLEN, Edge4500 N Prospect Rd. Peoria Heights, IL

Exclusive Farm-to-Fork ticketed event (Dinner reservation is not included in conference cost)

Join Chef Dustin Allen for a locally sourced meal. Chef Dustin Allen works with over 60 local farmers to source everything down to the flour locally. Their philosophy is whole farm cooking. Your meal includes dinner, live music, and two drink tickets. All proceeds go to the Illinois Farmers Market Association.

1:00PM-4:30PM / FON DU LAC A-CWriting Effective Grant Proposals______________________________

DR. MARIA ESFORMES. Grant Training Center

This is Part 2 of a 2-part workshop, however, each session will stand alone.

This workshop will address the major components of effective grant writing, including: the abstract, description of your organization, needs statement, goals, objectives, activities, timelines, outcomes, evaluation, key personnel, and budgets.

You will learn how to:

• Create the right fit with the selected funding agency

• Address the guidelines of proposals

• Identify and effectively write the key elements of a proposal

• Integrate each component of the grant into the final product

• Develop focused and realistic budgets

• Package a professional grant submission

• Write winning grants that stand out among competition

1:00PM-4:30PM / FON DU LAC E-FCollaboration to Build a Regional Food System ______________________________

TORY DAHLHOFF, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council Join other food hubs, processing facilities, co-ops, market managers, and community leaders. Spend time connecting and collaborating. Share what is happening in your community; challenges your face; and ways to collaborate. This is a discussion-based session that is participant led. This session is a time for participants to share and gain knowledge of projects from around the state and develop strategies for regional collaboration.

Monday November, 5

8 GROW. BUY. EAT

Monday November, 5Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING BREAKFAST 7:15AM-8:30AM / CONVENTION CENTER HALLWAY

WELCOME 8:30AM-8:35AM/RIVER E-F

OPENING REMARKS Cultivating Our Communities 8:35AM-8:50AM/RIVER E-F LIEUTENANT GOVERNORJULIANA STRATTON, State of Illinois

GENERAL SESSION Why is Everyone Suddenly Talking about Storytelling? 8:50AM-9:30AM / RIVER E-F ___________________________

JANICE PERSONJPLovesCotton LLC

Storytelling seems to be everywhere these days. People are taking classes in it, reading books about it and relishing podcasts, videos and more that employ storytelling techniques. But what does storytelling have to do with growing and selling fruits & vegetables? Or running a restaurant? We will walk through the trend and discuss why the impacts can be so significant, what to focus on and how more in the local food community can work it into their marketing and advocacy efforts.

BREAKOUT SESSION Business Development Track 9:45AM-10:45AM / RIVER I Communicating with your Local Government ___________________________

RYAN WHITEHOUSE, Illinois Farm Bureau This is an open dialogue session. Speak with a local government expert about the barriers you face with your municipality and county. Give real examples of situations local food faces and have in-depth discussion on ways to address these barriers.

Funding and Financing Track 9:45AM-10:45AM / RIVER JHow to Accept SNAP at Your Market—USDA Free Equipment Program ___________________________

PHIL BLALOCK, MarketLink

MarketLink is a program of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) that assists farmers and farmers markets to accept SNAP and electronic payments. Founded in 2013 in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, MarketLink has helped more than 3,000 farmers and markets accept electronic payments—including more than $20m in SNAP sales. Learn what you need to do to begin accepting SNAP, what equipment you can receive, as well as hear about the training and resources that are available to you.

Technology Track 9:45AM-10:45AM / RIVER H Using Social Media to Drive Attendance ___________________________

KELLY GAGNON, GRIT HQ

Do you have big goals for your 2020 season, but don’t know how to make it? Attend this workshop to better understand how your social media can and should drive attendance and purchasing decisions, and gain information on specific tools and strategies to do your social media more efficiently and effectively this season.

Marketing Track 9:45AM-10:45AM / RIVER G Merchandising Your Booth, Display, or Stand to Attract (and Retain) Customers___________________________ NATALIE KENNY MARQUEZGrow Marketing + Communications, LLC

JANIE MAXWELL, Illinois Farmers Market Association

You can bring to market the most beautiful heirloom tomatoes in the world, but if you fail to make them

visible don’t make their prices visible, your sales might be substandard without you even realizing it. Sometimes it takes just a little tweak here or there to make a difference, but sometimes it takes re-imaging the merchandising of your entire booth space.

NETWORKING BREAK 10:45AM-11:15AM / EXHIBITOR ROOMS & HALL

BREAKOUT SESSIONBusiness Development Track 11:15AM-12:15PM / RIVER I Getting Your Business in Storytelling Mode ____________________________

JANICE PERSON, JPLovesCotton LLC

A follow up to the keynote session, this is an opportunity for members to roll up their sleeves and put the information learned about the value of storytelling to work for their operations. We will talk through some of the key story elements to build out, some of the topics that enhance sales or drive understanding. Each participant will begin working through the stories they may want to build out to reach the marketing or advocacy goals they have for their own local food related business.

Funding and Financing Track 11:15AM-12:15PM / RIVER J Best Practices to Having a Kick@$$ Fundraiser for Your Nonprofit or Market ____________________________

KELLY GAGNON, Grit HQ

Did you know that 9 out of 10 “fundraisers” actually don’t make money? Attend this fundraiser bootcamp to learn more about fundraising best practices and the formula for a profitable fundraiser that not only actually raises money for you, but also builds your donor base and supporters!

Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description


Monday November, 5Monday November, 5Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description

Technology Track 11:15AM-12:15PM / RIVER H Digital Communities—How They Can Invigorate Local and Regional Food Systems Development _____________________________

DAR KNIPE, MarketMaker This sessions explains how digital communities like the Illinois Connect Fresh Collaborative are providing value to the local food movement through the concept of “cooperative technology” and in ways that Facebook and other forms of social media can’t. Learn the ways your business and/or organization can get more involved and how it can help grow your local food infrastructure. Hear more about the exciting new pilot in Illinois that makes affordable e-commerce tools available to members of the Connect Fresh Collaborative network of farms and businesses which includes Farmers Market Coalition, Illinois Specialty Growers, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Department of Ag, Illinois Farmer Veteran Coalition, Illinois Buy Fresh Buy Local and Illinois MarketMaker.

Marketing Track 11:15AM-12:15PM / RIVER G Changing the Way You Sample: Unique Sampling Stories and Perspectives ____________________________ CATHERINE DUNLAP, City of Bloomington

MICHAEL HOWARD, Eden Place Farms

GREG UMLAND, Umland CheeseLet’s talk some sampling talk, we’ll talk about increasing vendor sales, sometimes significantly, then let’s talk about building customer loyalty and enticing new patrons to purchase your products and produce. Illinois Farmers Market Vendors will relate their experiences and the lessons they have learned along the way. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of the benefits of sampling products from the experts along with ideas to start your sample program.

NETWORKING LUNCH 12:15PM-1:15PM/HOTEL ATRIUM

GENERAL SESSION Direct Farm Marketing Trends and How to Respond Strategically to Emerging Demand 1:15PM-2:15PM / RIVER E-F ____________________________

DEBRA TROPP Tropp Consulting

Join us for a discussion on the current local food market profile. We will examine the diversity of the marketing channels and partnerships which blur the traditional market silos. We will see how this has changed through the generations and altered the impact of the local food market. Discover how emerging markets of local food and affects your messaging and marking practices.

BREAKOUT SESSION

Business Development Track 2:15PM-3:15PM / RIVER I

Navigating Tough Conversations ____________________________


Communication is important in every aspect of our lives. In agri-food communication channels can be difficult to navigate because sometimes we are reluctant or unable to have tough or critical conversations—especially when dealing with topics such as business transitions, financial stress, or family working relationships. Strong communication skills are important in maintaining personal and organizational health, well-being and relationships at all levels. Join us in the first of a two-part series to learn about communication realities, our natural responses to conflict and why we communicate and act the way we do when threatened or under duress.

Funding and Financing Track 2:15PM-3:15PM / RIVER J

10 Things Your Lender Wants You To Do____________________________ ANDREW LARSON, German American State Bank

Do you know your cost of production? How about marketing costs? Will you be paying income taxes this year? Should you? Bookwork is seldom the favorite chore, but the successful entrepreneur keeps tabs on their numbers just as closely as their crops and livestock. There are few key things that every food and farm businessperson can do—and a few things they can avoid—to keep their financial house in order and maintain a positive lending relationship with their local financial institution

Technology Track 2:15PM-3:15PM / RIVER HHow to Pick the Right E-Commerce Provider ____________________________

COLE JONES, LocalLine

There are a lot of e-commerce options out there for farmers. Some are generic systems built for many industries, while some are specifically built for the ag industry. The question is, do you really need an e-commerce solution? What will it give you that you don’t already have? Is it really worth all of the trouble? And if you decide that you do need one, which one do you pick? How do you know that you’re choosing the right partner? Come to this session to find out the answers to all of these questions.

Monday November, 5

10 GROW. BUY. EAT

Monday November, 5

Marketing Track 2:15PM-3:15PM / RIVER G

Reach New Audiences with Buy Fresh Buy Local Illinois—And Join the Community! ____________________________

JANIE MAXWELL, Illinois Farmers Market Association

RAGHELA SCAVUZZO, Illinois Farm Bureau

NATALIE KENNY MARQUEZGrow Marketing + Communications, LLC

What is Buy Fresh Buy Local Illinois and why should farmers markets be participating? In this session you’ll hear how a group of organizations from across the state have come together to launch a new statewide effort that includes a print and online directory of local food venues. As part of the session, you will have the opportunity to provide input and help to shape a targeted statewide marketing campaign called the Eat Local Challenge.

NETWORKING BREAK 3:15PM-3:45PM / EXHIBITOR ROOMS & HALLWAY

BREAKOUT SESSION

Business Development Track 3:45PM-4:45PM / RIVER I Navigating Conflict_____________________________


Conflict is inevitable and a normal part of life, however, people respond to conflict in many ways. Too often, when placed in a stressful situation, our knee-jerk responses can get the best of us and damage relationships. In this session, we will delve deeper into the sources of conflict, including triggers or hot-spots, and other behaviors that illicit productive, unproductive, or even destructive response. At the conclusion of the two-part series, you

will have knowledge, skills, tools, and strategies for navigating conflict in your everyday interactions.

Funding and Financing Track 3:45PM-4:45PM / RIVER J

Funding Food Co-ops-Trends, Strategies, and Benefits_____________________________ JESSICA BUTTIMER, Prairie Food Co-op

Food Co-ops are an important piece of the local food system, but trends in financing are making it more difficult for co-ops to open their doors. Developing co-ops throughout the state are employing multiple strategies to address these challenges. Learn about these trends, strategies, and how co-ops, farmers, food producers, food hubs, market managers, and community leaders can be part of the solution and share in the benefits.

Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description


Monday November, 5Monday November, 5 Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description Wednesday, March, 11: Program Description

Technology Track 3:45PM-4:45PM / RIVER H Social Media 101 for #SmallBusiness ____________________________

SABRINA BURKIEWICZ, Illinois Farm Bureau

In this session we’ll talk about the basics of getting your small business on social media and what to do once you’re there. We’ll cover creative hacks to get more page followers, low or no cost event ideas to engage current customers and capture the interest of potential customers, and we’ll talk about the best way to share your story through your business page. After all, anybody can buy anything anywhere, but what people really want is to buy something from somebody who inspires them!

Marketing Track 3:45PM-4:45PM / RIVER G Tips, Tricks and Ideas for Building a Successful Farm to Fork Event ____________________________

ANGELICA CARMEN, Fairway Farms and Apiary

STEPHANIE RHODES, Union County Farm Bureau

Build a farm to fork event to raise awareness; promote agriculture and add-value to your business. This is an exciting marketing and promotional event for farmers, value-added producers, nonprofits, and farmers markets. Learn how to build a timeline, create promotional opportunities, and build a brand around successful events from two different organizations with two very different audiences.

GENERAL SESSION Local Food, Local Places: Two Different Communities Sharing a Common Vision 5:00PM-5:45PM / RIVER E-F ____________________________

TORY DAHLHOFF, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council

TOM MARTIN, Mt. Pulaski Economic Development & Planning Board

LESLIE MCKNIGHT, Peoria City/County Health Department

KYLE REED, Hilltop Community Gardens

MARTHA ROSS, Southside Community United for Change

Two communities in the Greater Peoria region—Peoria’s Southside neighborhood and the town of Mt. Pulaski—were selected for the EPA Local Foods, Local Places technical assistance program in 2019. A community workshop was held in both places and each walked away with their own local foods action plan. In the time since, momentum continues to build in each place toward the effort to utilize the local food system as a driver of economic development and community revitalization. Learn more about what the program has meant for these places individually—and how they can work together to develop a stronger regional food economy that meets the goals of both urban and rural communities.

DINNER 6:00PM-7:30PM / RIVER E-F

6:30PM-7:00PM NASS Survey of Farm Market Managers __________________________

MARK SCHLEUSENER, USDA NASS

Mark Schleusener is the Illinois State Statistician for USDA - NASS, the Agricultural Statistics Service. He will provide an overview of the NASS mission and a preview of an upcoming NASS survey of Farmer’s Market Managers.

7:00PM-7:30PM Desserts made and provided by Woodruff Career & Technical Center Culinary Arts Program.

Woodruff Career & Technical Center Culinary Arts Program

Nearly 100 students are enrolled across two levels of courses. They operate a popular café, receive certification upon completing the course, earn up to nine college credits, compete in Illinois ProStart and Skills USA competitions and stand to earn tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants. More than $400,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to Peoria Public Schools Culinary students in the last seven years, further cementing Woodruff Culinary Arts as one of the premier high school culinary programs in the Midwest.

Woodruff Culinary Arts fosters lifelong skills for the students, who learn to work collaboratively in a non-traditional setting and gradually take on leadership roles to ensure the success of the café and their competitive teams. These skills make Peoria students career-ready and boost their employability on whatever path they choose to take.

Monday November, 5 Thursday, March, 12: Program Description

Like 3 different organizations’

Social Media pages______ ____________

HOW TO PLAY:

Connect four dots in a row for a chance to win a prize!Follow the instructions on each dot. Remember to get other players initials to complete the dots for proof of play. Return your completed game card to the registration desk.

Earn 1 raffle ticket when you complete 1 row

Earn 2 raffle tickets when you complete 2 or more rows

Earn 3 raffle tickets when you complete the entire board

Tell 2 people your personal business story

______ ______

Attend 1 Curbside Consulting

Session ______

Exchange 4 business cards or

contact information ______ ____________ ______

Create or update your FREE

business profile at MarketMaker

exhibit space______

Speak to 2 presenters

during break or networking times

____________

Meet someone in the

same industry as you______

Find out about resources available

from a technical assistance provider

____________

Talk to a

farmer______

Join a collaboration or networking

group______

Discuss your brand with

a marketing/branding expert

______

Introduce yourself to 4 new people

______ ____________ ______

Speak to 4 different exhibitors

______ ____________ ______

Meet someone who works

for a nonprofit______

Speak to 3 different sectors of the local value chain

______ ____________

Post a photo on Social Media using #LiveLocal

Tag Us!______



HOW TO PLAY:

Connect four dots in a row for a chance to win a prize!Follow the instructions on each dot. Remember to get other players initials on completed dots for proof of play.





______ ______


Session ______





exhibit space______



____________

Meet someone in the




____________

Talk to a

farmer______


group______



______


______ ____________ ______


______ ____________ ______




______ ____________

Post a photo on Social Media using #LiveLocal.

Tag Us!______

CONNECT FOUR

Player’s name

Play this networking game to make new connections and a chance to win fun prizes too!

Rules inside...

TOGETHER, we can support the local food system.


CONNECT FOUR

Player’s name


Rules inside...



CONNECT FOUR

Player’s name


Rules inside...




Monday November, 5

NETWORKING BREAKFAST 7:30AM-8:30AM / ONVENTION CENTER HALLWAY GENERAL SESSION A Journey into the Local Food Movement from the Ground Up8:30AM-9:00AM / RIVER E-F_____________________________

MIKE LEWIS, University of Kentucky

It is easy to get knotted! Unknotting, that’s the trick was a favorite saying of an old-time lobsterman I worked for as a kid. Work in local food is a lot like trying to loosen the knots in a tangled trawl from my past. Everything is interwoven and much more complex than it first appears. My journey into, out of, and back into the local foods movement has taught me a lot about these interconnections and I hope my mistakes can provide some insight to others as they continue their work. BREAKOUT SESSION

Communications Track 9:15AM-10:15AM / RIVER G

Our World Needs Your Story—Learn to Tell It _____________________________

RACHEL BERRY, Illinois Hemp Growers Association

M CHRISTOPHER PRCHAL, Trogg’s Hollow CSA and Market Farm

SAFIA RASHID, Your Bountiful Harvest Family Farm & Englewood Village Farms Cooperative

HYDE TAIDGHIN O’BRIEN, The Land Connection

Whether you’re talking to a legislator about the importance of cover crops, meeting with members of your neighborhood to pitch an idea for a community garden, or just chatting with customers at the farmers market, your story matters and so does how you tell it. We’ve all got hundreds of

Thursday, March, 12: Program Description

stories to tell, but being able to focus on a particular experience that shifted your path or perception of the world and how you dealt with that experience can be the difference between a good story and an inspirational story. In this panel-led workshop, you’ll hear stories from three inspirational Illinois farmers and then be given the opportunity to write your own story, workshop it with a partner, and present it to the group if you feel so inspired.

Relationship Building Track9:15AM-10:15AM / RIVER I Turning Visitors to Customers___________________________ BRUCE CONDILL, The Great Pumpkin Patch Local food, agritourism sites and farmers markets attract a lot of visitors and every interaction is an opportunity for a sale. This session will focus on how to turn your visitors into business supporters and even brand ambassadors.

Policy and Regulation Track9:15AM-10:15AM / RIVER J Sample Laws: What Are the Rules? How do you Start?___________________________ JANIE MAXWELL, Illinois Farmers Market Association

DEBORAH CAVANAUGH-GRANT New Leaf Consulting

Product sampling is an easy and low-cost way to dramatically increase vendor sales. A small sample of just about any product from freshly picked sweet corn to homemade sweet treats will quickly change a casual browser to a loyal customer! Illinois’ new sampling certificate is easy to obtain and can cost as little as $10 for 3 years; plus, the certificate is valid at every farmers market throughout Illinois. Come learn the facts, an overview of the sampling laws, and how you can get started to increase your sales by 30% or more!

Market Opportunities Track9:15AM-10:15AM / RIVER H Utilizing a Golf Course Sustainability Program to Build Your Business ___________________________ ANGELICA CARMEN, Fairway Farms and Apiary With the ever-growing movement towards sustainability, golf courses have begun implementing sustainability programs. Hear firsthand from one farm that built a partnership with a golf course to find land, build a business, and change the menu with major Chicago courses. Learn how to begin conversations, build a relationship, and find a sales outlet in this new high demand market opportunity. It may just change your business.

NETWORKING BREAK 10:15AM-10:45AM / EXHIBITOR ROOMS AND HALLWAY

BREAKOUT SESSION

Communication Track10:45AM-11:45AM / RIVER G

Get Engaged: Innovative Storytelling Contact to Customers_____________________________

HYDE TAIDGHIN O’ BRIEN, The Land Connection

Whether you are building your brand from scratch or just looking to make some changes to your marketing strategy, one thing will always remain constant: if you aren’t engaging with people in a meaningful way, you won’t succeed. Together, we’ll look at ways that you can make your content more relatable and weave your story into the lives of the people you hope to connect with to better your food/farm business. We’ll look at some innovative work being done at The Land Connection to encourage the purchase of local specialty crops in central Illinois and then workshop some issues as a group so that the ideas covered have real-world relevance.



HOW TO PLAY:

Connect four dots in a row for a chance to win a prize!Follow the instructions on each dot. Remember to get other players initials to complete the dots for proof of play. Return your completed game card to the registration desk.





______ ______


Session ______





exhibit space______



____________

Meet someone in the




____________

Talk to a

farmer______


group______



______


______ ____________ ______


______ ____________ ______




______ ____________

Post a photo on Social Media using #LiveLocal

Tag Us!______



HOW TO PLAY:

Connect four dots in a row for a chance to win a prize!Follow the instructions on each dot. Remember to get other players initials on completed dots for proof of play.





______ ______


Session ______





exhibit space______



____________

Meet someone in the




____________

Talk to a

farmer______


group______



______


______ ____________ ______


______ ____________ ______




______ ____________

Post a photo on Social Media using #LiveLocal.

Tag Us!______

Monday November, 5

14 GROW. BUY. EAT

Monday November, 5Thursday, March, 12: Program Description

Relationship Building Track10:45AM-11:45AM / RIVER I

Building a Food Community ____________________________

TORY DAHLHOFF, Greater Peoria Economic Council

JAQUELINE EVERS, The Land Connection

The food system is complicated, and redesigning it relies first and foremost on building and maintaining cross-sector relationships. From improving health outcomes to diversifying farmland, the spectrum of challenges and opportunities is wide. In many parts of the state, food system stakeholders are coming together to form councils and advocacy groups that hope to effect change in the food system. This session focuses on that work in both Greater Peoria and the Champaign-Urbana area. Learn about the numerous ways stakeholders in both places are coming together to design a more socially, economically, and environmentally conscious food system.

Policy and Regulation Track10:45AM-11:45AM / RIVER J

What You Need to Know about Selling Cottage Food_____________________________ LIBBY ERVIN, Food Works

DEREK ERVIN, Glacier’s End

Join Libby Ervin, Market Manager of the Carbondale Winter Farmers Market, and Derek Ervin, the cottage food entrepreneur behind Glacier’s End Farm for everything you need to know about cottage food from regulations to business planning and working with your farmers market. Libby will start the session with an overview of the current cottage food regulations, what products can be made, and the necessary labeling and food safety requirements. She’ll also provide an overview of best practices for farmers markets in managing cottage food vendors, including how to work with the health department. Next Derek will discuss his experience with how to successfully grow a cottage food business, including the inspiration behind their products, lessons learned when it comes to managing and marketing a cottage food business, and the impact that cottage food has had on their bottom line. Finally, the session will end with an update on current cottage food legislation and potential changes for the future.

Market Opportunities Track10:45AM-11:45AM / RIVER H Why Market Your Products to Schools____________________________

MARY HOSIER, Seven Generations Ahead

Farm to school provides you with a steady, high-volume market, diversifies your market channels, let’s you sell your imperfect produce, spreads recognition of your farm across community (including staff, teachers, & parents) and grows demand from the next generation! We are here to help!

NETWORKING LUNCH 12:00PM-1:00PM / HOTEL ATRIUM

BREAKOUT SESSION

Communication Track1:15PM-2:15PM / RIVER G Illinois Harvest of The Month ____________________________ MARY HOSIER, Seven Generations Ahead/Illinois Farm to School

Illinois Harvest of the Month celebrates a different in-season, locally grown food item every month. Registered feeding sites and garden sites receive a seasonal calendar of suggestions for what to feature, then choose what works best for their meal or garden program.

Thursday, March, 12: Program Description Thursday, March, 12: Program DescriptionThursday, March, 12:

15

Monday November, 5Monday November, 5

TOGETHER we can grow into something greater.

Thursday, March, 12: Program Description Thursday, March, 12: Program Description Thursday, March, 12: Program DescriptionThursday, March, 12:

Relationship Building Track1:15PM-2:15PM / RIVER I

Shifting Public & Institutional Food Spend to Local Producers: Opportunities with the Good Food Purchasing Program ___________________________________________

MARLIE WILSON, Chicago Food Policy Action Council

Built on the Good Food Purchasing Policy adoption by the City of Chicago and Cook County Government, the Good Food Purchasing Initiative engages public departments and agencies, as well as other community anchor institutions, to shift their food spending toward local, sustainable, fair, humane, and healthy products. With this growing commitment to good food, transparency, and more racial & social equity across the food supply chain, a new market opportunity is emerging for local food producers and food businesses. Attend this session to learn about upcoming trainings and share your input on how the Chicago Food Policy Action Council, the City of Chicago, Cook County Government, and organizational partners can support entry points into public & community institutional supply chains.

Policy and Regulation Track1:15PM-2:15PM / RIVER JFood Safety at Farmers Markets __________________________________________

LAURIE GEORGE, University of Illinois Extension

How important is food safety in your farmers market? Are there areas that an be improved upon to help mitigate the potential of food contamination? This presentation was developed for vendors and markets managers to help strengthen areas of the marketplace where food safety issues could be a concern. There will be time for open discussions with the participants to address specific concerns.

Market Opportunities Track1:15PM-2:15PM / RIVER H Finding the Right Farmers Market__________________________________________

CATHERINE DUNLAP, City of Bloomington JANIE MAXWELL, Illinois Farmers Market Association Thinking about selling at farmers markets. Already sell at a market? This presentation will focus on what to look for in selecting a farmers markets and building a mutually beneficial relationship with your farmers market manager. Understand what farmers market managers are looking for from their vendors. This is a panel discussion with a diverse group farmers market manager; urban, suburban and rural.

CLOSING REMARKS2:30PM-3:00PM / EXHIBITOR ROOMS AND HALLWAY

Thank You Raffle Prize Give Away

Grower and farmers market locations are mapped.

Seasonal produce is highlighted.

• Discover Locally Grown Products at Peak Freshness

• Get to Know Your Local Growers

• Explore Nearby Farmers Markets

POWEREDBY

Linking Agricultural and Seafood Markets

App funding provided by USDA’s Specialty Growers Block Grant program (Illinois)

What’s In SeasonFind local products fresh from the farm






POWEREDBY









POWEREDBY









POWEREDBY




Monday November, 5

16 GROW. BUY. EAT

Monday November, 5Curbside Consultants

Kelly Gagnon, GRIT HQ

Kelly Gagnon is the founder of GRIT Consulting, a Decatur-based marketing firm that supports non-profits, mission-focused small businesses, and social media campaigns. By working alongside non-profits and small businesses, GRIT Consulting works helps individuals and organizations establish their messaging and brand and then communicate messaging efficiently and effectively. GRIT Consulting assists with social media management, branding and print design, and all things fundraising and public relations. With clients ranging from statewide Ag Safety agencies to farm-to-table soup kitchens to a Central Illinois Education Foundation, GRIT works alongside clients to establish affordable, strong branding. As her company name suggests, she gets your marketing done with GRIT. What can you discuss with her? Marketing, Branding, Website Development, Social Media, Website Content

Sybil Ege,The Business of Food

For 30 years, Ms. Ege’s early career experience was in corporate America in the Information Technology field, managing the development and implementation of large and complex software systems. She has also been a small business owner for over 14 years, starting in the 1990s. Ms. Ege additionally managed the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Elgin Community College from 2011 through 2016. In late 2016, wanting to continue support for small businesses after the center closed, Ms. Ege started Oracle Business Planning, a consulting service focused on financial and business planning. In 2017, Ms. Ege became a senior member of the Dream HUB, an Elgin company providing a variety of micro-leasing and integrated services that support the start-up and growth of food businesses. She is additionally a partner in Dream Kitchen EDU, Inc., a spoke of the Dream HUB, where she develops and oversees the educational programs for food entrepreneurs and farmers. She has been very active in the planning activities of Dream Distributors, the Kane County Food Hub, operated by Dream HUB.

What can you discuss with her? Budgeting, Business Planning

Dr. Maria Esformes,Grant Training Center

Dr. Maria Esformes has lectured and taught for the Grant Training Center for eight years. In her extensive career as an academic at such institutions as Harvard, University of Massachusetts, University of Washington, University of South Florida, and the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada she has written and received major research and programmatic grants from such donors as the Mellon Foundation, Skirball Foundation, Maurice Amado Foundation, American Philosophical Society, and various government grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, and the Fulbright Commission. Dr. Esformes has participated on many grant review panels for internal University grants and for government grants. Most recently she has reviewed grants for the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Dr. Esformes received her B.A. from Portland State University (Portland, Oregon), M.A. from the University of Washington (Seattle, Washington), and her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado (Boulder, Colorado

What can you discuss with her? Grant Writing, Strategic Planning, Finding Funding Sources

Cole Jones, Local Line

Cole is the Founder and CEO at Local Line. Cole started Local Line as an undergrad four years ago and continues to run it with his team of 16 employees today. Cole loves working with family farmers and spending his time building products they love. When he’s not in the office (which is basically all the time), you’ll find Cole hiking with his dog or out on the golf course.

What can you discuss with them? E-Commerce Platforms & Utilization


Monday November, 5Monday November, 5Curbside Consultants

Hyde Taidghin O’Brien,

The Land Connection

Taidghin O’Brien is the Marketing & Communications Manager at The Land Connection, a small non-profit based in Champaign, IL that trains farmers in resilient agricultural and business practices, educates the public about local food, and works to build a community-based food system in central Illinois. With a background in marketing and design, as well as experience as the co-owner of Lucky Pierre Bakers and Deux Chevaux Farms, Taidghin brings a wealth of insight and creativity to solving farming and food system problems. Whether you have questions about how to set up your farmers market booth to better engage with consumers, what you should include in your communications plan, or how to build an effective team for a grant proposal, he can help you out.

What can you discuss with him? Marketing, Communications, Branding, Storytelling, Social Media, Consumer Engagement, Consumer Education, Website Design, Project Development, Grant Writing

Natalie Kenny Marquez,Grow Marketing + Communications, LLC

Natalie Kenny Marquez is a born planner and communicator specializing in helping organizations determine their audience, tell their story, build their brand, and expand their reach. Natalie’s background includes over a decade in municipal government outreach and communications, five seasons running Urbana’s Market at the Square, and countless hours working with small businesses and start-ups on their marketing plans and strategies. Besides owning Grow Marketing + Communications, LLC. Natalie is an Entrepreneur in Residence through the EDA University Center, a program of the Illinois University Incubator Network. Outside of work Natalie is a competitive swimmer through U.S. Masters Swimming, enjoys shopping at farmers markets, blogging at Family to Table, and spending time with her husband and their two children.

What can you discuss with her? Marketing, Communications, PR, Social Media, Content Development

Janice Person, JPlovesCOTTON LLC Janice Person became known as JPlovesCOTTON for her tweets and blogging about her favorite fiber over the past decade. However, it is her role as a leading voice and advocate for connecting farmers and the public that sets her apart.

A fourth-generation city girl from Memphis. Janice wasn’t sure what she was getting into when she started working for some farm magazines. Decades later she’s worked for magazines, a New York PR agency, a small cotton seed company and a major ag innovation company. For the past five years, Janice has been immersed in the world of moms, foodies, and millennials…The experiences and opinions that shape how they look at food and farming. Throughout those experiences, Janice has been taking notes, sharing lessons on how to improve connections between her urban tribes and those who call agriculture home. She shares that experience broadly through her communications consultancy speaking and working in major cities and small towns.

The role of storytelling is so critical for food and farm connectivity that Janice launched a podcast called Grounded by the Farm in 2019. You can hear that in your favorite app or go to groundedbythefarm.com

What can you discuss with her? Storytelling, Marketing, Consumer relations

Curbside Consultants

18 GROW. BUY. EAT

Monday November, 5

Julia Shanks, The Farmer’s OfficeJulia Shanks – business coach, entrepreneur and author – works with food and agricultural entrepreneurs to help them achieve and maintain financial sustainability. She gives her clients the tools they need to launch, stabilize and grow their ventures. She is a frequent lecturer on sustainable food systems, accounting and small farm business management. She is the author of two books: “The Farmer’s Office: Tools, Tips and Templates to Successfully Manage a Growing Farm Business” and “The Farmers Market Cookbook.” Julia earned her MBA from Babson College, and is a QuickBooks certified ProAdvisor.

What can you discuss with her? Budgeting, Business Planning, Financial Planning, QuickBooks, Cash flow

Debra Tropp, Debra Tropp Consulting Debra Tropp spent more than 26 years at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Transportation and Marketing Program, retiring from Federal service at the end of January 2019. During her tenure at AMS, Ms. Tropp devoted much of her attention to identifying emerging marketing opportunities for suppliers of locally and regionally-produced food in wholesale marketing channels, so that smaller/mid-sized producers could diversify their customer base, expand their sales volumes and improve their cash flow. She also played a key role in developing and overseeing the development of research projects and guidance material -- aimed at a small/mid-size producer audience -- that shared practical insights about market requirements/preferences and the economic benefits associated with changes in operational and marketing practices within the food supply chain.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Tropp served in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including Agricultural Economist, interim Staff Officer for the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (a competitive grant program that supports market research projects), Team Leader and Chief of the Farmers Market and Direct Farm Marketing Research Branch, and finally, Deputy Director of AMS’s Marketing Service Program, which focuses on local and regional food system research and development. Most recently, she served as the primary editor for the AMS-sponsored report “The Economics of Local Food Systems: A Toolkit to Guide Community Discussions, Assessments and Choices (March 2016), and as a member of the four-person task force that framed and produced the Federal Reserve/USDA book “Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities (August 2017).

What can you discuss with her? Grant writing, Grant planning

Kristine RangerAri-food Consultant

Kristine Ranger is an innovative and valued resource responsible for transforming people, teams and organizations across the Midwest. In the past 40 years, she has coached start up and growth phase businesses and organizations in people skills, team and leadership development, risk management, business planning, and HR systems and practices. Her consulting focuses on advocacy; rural economic development; family/farm succession planning; human resource management; and organizational health, culture and strategy.

In the food systems arena, Kristine led the first multi-channel “Buy Local” campaign that increased sales of fresh Michigan products by 100% and launched Farm to School programs, a Farmers Market at the capital and at Henry Ford Hospital, and in several rural communities. She is also a Parliamentarian and Authorized Partner/Accredited Facilitator for Everything DiSC and The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team resources for families and workplaces.

Kristine approaches the soft skills with hard core strategies to improve performance at all levels. In other words, shift happens!

What can you discuss with her? People Skills, Conflict, Organizational & Team Development, HR Systems & HRM, Succession Planning, Non-Profit Boards and Leadership

Curbside Consultants

Monday November, 5Curbside Consultants

GIVE YOUR GOALS SPACE TO GROW.

Paul DietmannSr. Lending Officer(608) [email protected]

LET’S MAKE YOUR PLANS A REALITY, TOGETHER.We see potential in your plans. Whether your farm is a non-traditional operation marketing directly to consumers – or through local and regional food systems – our Emerging Markets lending specialists can provide financial solutions designed to give you the tools needed to succeed. And our experienced financial team will guide you every step of the way.

Compeer Financial can provide assistance with financing and operations based on historical data and industry expertise. Compeer Financial does not provide legal advice or certified financial planning. Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. © 2020 All rights reserved.

Sai ThaoLending Officer(612) 597-4086 [email protected]

(844) 426-6733 | #CHAMPIONRURAL

Partner with us to make your goals possible.

COMPEER.COM/EMERGINGMARKETS

Monday November, 5

20 GROW. BUY. EAT

Monday November, 5General Session Speaker Biographies

Tory DahlhoffGreater Peoria Economic Development Council

Tory’s general role at GPEDC is to connect small towns and rural areas of the Greater Peoria region to economic development resources. Beyond this outreach, he specializes in developing strategies and building stakeholder relationships to position agriculture and food systems as drivers of community-based economic development.

Tory brings a background in journalism, marketing, and content creation to his work in economic development and is presently working to complete the Rural Community and Economic Development master’s program at Western Illinois University. He is a board member of the Savanna Institute, a research organization working to establish regenerative agroforesty systems as a method of economically and ecologically sustainable commercial

Janice Person JPlovesCOTTON LLC

Janice Person became known as JPlovesCOTTON for her tweets and blogging about her favorite fiber over the past decade. However, it is her role as a leading voice and advocate for connecting farmers and the public that sets her apart.

A fourth-generation city girl from Memphis. Janice wasn’t sure what she was getting into when she started working for some farm magazines. Decades later she’s worked for magazines, a New York PR agency, a small cotton seed company and a major ag innovation company. For the past five years, Janice has been immersed in the world of moms, foodies, and millennials…The experiences and opinions that shape how they look at food and farming. Throughout those experiences, Janice has been taking notes, sharing lessons on how to improve connections between her urban tribes and those who call agriculture home. She shares that experience broadly through her communications consultancy speaking and working in major cities and small towns.

The role of storytelling is so critical for food and farm connectivity that Janice launched a podcast called Grounded by the Farm in 2019. You can hear that in your favorite app or go to groundedbythefarm.com

Debra TroppDebra Tropp Consulting

Debra Tropp spent more than 26 years at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Transportation and Marketing Program, retiring from Federal service at the end of January 2019. During her tenure at AMS, Ms. Tropp devoted much of her attention to identifying emerging marketing opportunities for suppliers of locally and regionally-produced food in wholesale marketing channels, so that smaller/mid-sized producers could diversify their customer base, expand their sales volumes and improve their cash flow. She also played a key role in developing and overseeing the development of research projects and guidance material -- aimed at a small/mid-size producer audience -- that shared practical insights about market requirements/preferences and the economic benefits associated with changes in operational and marketing practices within the food supply chain.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Tropp served in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including Agricultural Economist, interim Staff Officer for the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (a competitive grant program that supports market research projects), Team Leader and Chief of the Farmers Market and Direct Farm Marketing Research Branch, and finally, Deputy Director of AMS’s Marketing Service Program, which focuses on local and regional food system research and development. Most recently, she served as the primary editor for the AMS-sponsored report “The Economics of Local Food Systems: A Toolkit to Guide Community Discussions, Assessments and Choices (March 2016), and as a member of the four-person task force that framed and produced the Federal Reserve/USDA book “Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities (August 2017).

Tom MartinMt. Pulaski Economic Development & Planning Board

Tom is a community and economic development leader in Mt. Pulaski, having worked on projects that include the restoration of the historic Mt. Pulaski courthouse and the recent effort to open a community-owned grocery store. He lives in Mount Pulaski with his wife Cheryl and their son Chris, where he grows corn, soybeans, wheat and straw on their 2,700 acre farm. He was named a Master Farmer by Prairie Farmer Magazine in 2018.


Monday November, 5Monday November, 5General Session Speaker Biographies

Lesley McKnightPeoria City/County Health Department

Dr. Leslie L. McKnight is the Director of Community Health Policy and Planning at the Peoria City/County Health Department. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the Partnership for a Healthy Community Health Improvement Plan and health promotion and equity interventions throughout the Tri-County region. Dr. McKnight has over 20 years of experience in public policy and community development for local government agencies and has managed millions of dollars in grassroots and public-private partnership programs and activities related to housing, community, health, and economic development in Central IL. She holds a PhD in organization development from Benedictine University, Springfield IL and a Master of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Spertus College in Chicago, IL. She is published in many academic and leadership journals and is an adjunct professor in the Master of Business Administration program at Bradley University. Her research interests include organization strategy, adaptive leadership, and change management. Dr. McKnight’s most recent article, ‘Building Healthy Communities’, was recently featured in Peoria Magazines.

General Session Speaker Biographies

Mike Lewis University of Kentucky Extension

In 2014, farmer Michael Lewis and a team of fellow Veterans were the first Americans legally permitted to farm hemp in the U.S. since its prohibition in the 1970s motivated by the opportunity for Veterans in Kentucky to connect back to the land they defended and grow a crop with hundreds of different applications in food, fiber, and medicine. Farming, he believes, is a great way for returning veterans to put their skills to work. The work of farming also brings them a sense of healing and purpose.

Michael is the founder of the Growing Warriors Project and served as its Executive Director from 2012-2018. The mission of the Growing Warriors Project is to equip, assist, and train military Veterans with the skills they need to produce high-quality, naturally grown produce for their families and communities. He also serves as the President of Third Wave Farms Inc., an agriculture supply chain company he co-founded in 2017.

Michael is the recipient of several honors and awards from the Kentucky government, including from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Governor. He also received the Wendell Berry New Agrarian Award in May 2016.

Michael currently serves as the Director of the AgrAbility program at the University of Kentucky’s Agriculture and Natural Resources department.

Martha RossSouthside Community United for Change

Martha Ross, born a sharecropper’s daughter and worked in the cotton fields for 19 years in Miss. She moved to Peoria IL in 1980 from Memphis Tn. She has spent more than forty years serving the community and assisting children and families to strive for quality education and a better quality of life in Peoria. Worked for The Heart of Illinois United Way for more than 17 years as the Director of Information and Referral and she assisted in the development of the “211” which is the number to call to get assistance throughout the United State. She also spent 6 years as a Director with the Lifeline Family Services Inc, advocating and assisting families to work through the DCFS system to reunite with their children. She has served on Peoria Public Schools Board of Education for more than 18 years representing the 1st District. She is the President of the Southside Community United for Change Inc. Martha earned a Bachelors as well as a Masters degree from Bradley University and is currently the President of her company, “The Bottom Line Design”. Martha was married to Sidney who is deceased and has three daughters eight grandchildren and 11 great-grand children, two of which she is raising herself.

2021 SAVE

THE DATE 2021

March 23-25Embassy Suites

Monday November, 5

22 GROW. BUY. EAT

Monday November, 5Exhibitors

AgrAbility

Chiro One Wellness Centers

COUNTRY Financial

Creekstone Kettleworks

FamilyFarmed

Farmer Veteran Coalition of Illinois

FieldWatch

FoodWorks

Grant Training Center

Greater Peoria Economic Council

HarvestSolar

Illinois Central Management Services

Illinois Department of Agriculture

Illinois Farm Bureau

Illinois Farmers Market Association

Illinois Farm to School

Illinois Specialty Growers Association

Illinois Stewardship Alliance

Illinois Treasurer’s Office

Kathy’s Kitchen

Local Line

MarketLink

MarketMaker

Rupp Seed

SARE

Sitka Salmon

The Balanced Bee

The Land Connection

Tru Local

University of Illinois Extension

USDA Farm Service Agency

USDA NASS

Embassy Suites Conference Center

The only weight on your shoulders should be hers. Whether you want to protect your farm today or prepare to pass it on to the next generation – don’t get overwhelmed. Get started and visit COUNTRYFinancial.com/Farm today.

1019-004HOFarm insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, Bloomington, Illinois.


Monday November, 5Monday November, 5

23

Don’t forget to complete the evaluation form in your folder and receive your free T-shirt.

FREE T-Shirt!

Embassy Suites Conference Center

Monday November, 5

At the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, we take seriously the potential of the local-regional food system to drive rural and urban community-based economic development. Through programs such as the GP Farm Forum Series, continued collaboration with food system stakeholders through the Regional Fresh Food Council, and our focus on farm and food innovation at the planned Peoria Innovation Hub, we can do our part to foster a food and farm ecosystem that benefits our economy, our communities, and our farmland.

www.greaterpeoriaedc.org

800-700-1199 • ruppseeds.com

RAISING THE BARRAISING THE BARIN QUALITY, FLAVOR, AND YIELD

Bringing you the best products in partnership with Crookham and Syngenta.

Visit ruppseeds.com to request or download your copy of our 2020 catalog including 37 new products.

RAISING THE BARRAISING THE BAR

Solstice, is an early 70 day maturity bicolor that is part of the Crookham

Augmented family. It provides the highest eating quality in this maturity slot, with

a unique bite and taste.

Carbonado Gold, the newest powdery mildew tolerant Rupp pumpkin variety.

It produces gorgeous dark orange, round fruit, with a firmly attached black handle

that fills a 40 count bin.

Outsider is the “box-filling pepper” that delivers early, concentrated sets of high

quality, jumbo and XL fruit. This Syngenta variety provides strong disease and virus

resistance package.

SOLSTICESOLSTICE CARBONADO GOLDCARBONADO GOLD OUTSIDEROUTSIDER

thank you

Monday November, 5

25

Rainmaker:

800-700-1199 • ruppseeds.com

RAISING THE BARRAISING THE BARIN QUALITY, FLAVOR, AND YIELD

Bringing you the best products in partnership with Crookham and Syngenta.

Visit ruppseeds.com to request or download your copy of our 2020 catalog including 37 new products.

RAISING THE BARRAISING THE BAR

Solstice, is an early 70 day maturity bicolor that is part of the Crookham

Augmented family. It provides the highest eating quality in this maturity slot, with

a unique bite and taste.

Carbonado Gold, the newest powdery mildew tolerant Rupp pumpkin variety.

It produces gorgeous dark orange, round fruit, with a firmly attached black handle

that fills a 40 count bin.

Outsider is the “box-filling pepper” that delivers early, concentrated sets of high

quality, jumbo and XL fruit. This Syngenta variety provides strong disease and virus

resistance package.

SOLSTICESOLSTICE CARBONADO GOLDCARBONADO GOLD OUTSIDEROUTSIDER

Barnraiser:

GIVE YOUR GOALS SPACE TO GROW.

Paul DietmannSr. Lending Officer(608) [email protected]

LET’S MAKE YOUR PLANS A REALITY, TOGETHER.We see potential in your plans. Whether your farm is a non-traditional operation marketing directly to consumers – or through local and regional food systems – our Emerging Markets lending specialists can provide financial solutions designed to give you the tools needed to succeed. And our experienced financial team will guide you every step of the way.

Compeer Financial can provide assistance with financing and operations based on historical data and industry expertise. Compeer Financial does not provide legal advice or certified financial planning. Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. © 2020 All rights reserved.

Sai ThaoLending Officer(612) 597-4086 [email protected]

(844) 426-6733 | #CHAMPIONRURAL

Partner with us to make your goals possible.

COMPEER.COM/EMERGINGMARKETS

Harvester:

Cultivator:

Seed Sower: Illinois Department of Agriculture

thank youTO OUR SPONSORS

26 GROW. BUY. EAT

Notes

Notes Notes

1701 Towanda AvenueBloomington, IL 61702www.ilfb.org/livelocal

local food & farmers market annual...

Documents