2020 S.D. Local Foods Conference sees changes, opportunities for producers

SDLFC keynote speaker

SDLFC keynote speaker and author, David R. Montgomery, of the University of Washington.

The annual South Dakota Local Foods Conference (SDLFC) is celebrating its tenth year. The 2020 event, Nov. 5-7 will be the first held entirely online. The SDLFC Planning Committee looks forward to discussing the new opportunities that this year has brought to local small-scale and specialty producers through the virtual conference.

“2020 has obviously been a year of many challenges, but along with that, we have seen a renewed interest for local foods. This year’s conference will help our members, consumers, and the state of South Dakota benefit from these changes,” Kathleen Rykus, S.D. Specialty Producers Association, said.

About the Conference

The SDLFC provides educational programming and networking opportunities for producers, chefs, grocers, consumers, local food enthusiasts, and resource providers of specialty crops and other local food products. Anyone with an interest in local foods is encouraged to participate.

Keynote Speakers

2020 SDLFC keynote speaker

SDLFC keynote speaker, Charlotte Smith, a farmer and owner of 3 Cows Marketing in Oregon.

The SDLFC will feature keynote speakers Charlotte Smith, a farmer and owner of 3 Cows Marketing in Oregon and David R. Montgomery, a MacArthur Fellow and professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington.

Montgomery will speak on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5 pm CST. His address focused on soil health is entitled ‘Growing a Revolution, Bringing Our Soil Back to Life.’

Charlotte Smith will be speaking on Friday, Nov. 6 at 5 pm. This dynamic presentation will offer practical advice on starting, growing and marketing your farming business.

Both presentations will be one hour in length and held via Zoom. In addition to the keynote speakers, the event will include additional presentations, panels, and demonstrations over the 3-day period. For a schedule visit the registration website.

Sponsors

The SDLFC is hosted by a collaboration of partners including the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, SDSU Extension, Dakota Rural Action, USDA Rural Development, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of South Dakota, and the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board.

Registration

Registration is $30 per person for the 3-day event. Register for the SD Local Foods Conference on the Eventbrite Ticketing Page.

Questions

Direct any questions to conference organizers at SDSPAinfo@gmail.com or 605-681-6793. For more information visit South Dakota Local Foods on Facebook.