Growing Acres – 2nd Annual Conference

Growing Acres – 2nd Annual Conference

Riverland Community College’s Center for Agricultural and Food Science Technology is happy to announce that the 2nd Annual Growing Acres Conference is coming in February 2019!

In 2018, the event hosted 12 speakers and 20 exhibitors who work in some way with growers, producers and those thinking of beginning a local foods or niche market business. The conference provided space for conversations on how to plan, implement and grow a healthy local food culture.

The 2019 event will build upon that success and create engaging ways to network with others working in the agricultural and regional foods community.

Day 1: Day of Connections Friday, February 15th
• Introduction to local foods and niche markets with a focus on our regional community.
• Compliance and business topics for growers, makers and service entrepreneurs.
• Success Stories and Conversations that relate to regional local foods and niche markets.
• Exhibitors, Resources and Try-It Host Tables
• Conversation Hub-community conversation and networking space

Day 2: Digging Deeper Saturday, February 16th
• Focus on meeting the direct requirements (MN Rules and
• Regulations) for growers, farmers, bakers, makers and engaging those intrigued with starting a small business in our region.
• Conversations that relate to regional local foods and niche markets
• Conversation Hub-community conversation and networking space

Local Foods & Niche Markets Network Online Conference Deliverable
• During the event we’ll be collecting information and video interviews to create a Growing Acres Local Foods & Niche Markets Network, an online searchable database for customers and small business networking.

Download the Save the Date flyer!

All registrations are available on Eventbrite – including registration for students and scholarships to attend the event. Funds go directly to the Riverland Foundation for the Growing Acres Conference after the conclusion of the event.