Whether you’re a farmer, distributer, or simply someone who loves to eat, you are part of farming. You want your part to grow. Illinois Farm Bureau wants you to not just grow but thrive. Our Live Local conference will help farmers learn how to increase profits, develop a sustainable business and grow market demand to build long-lasting family farms.
Join us as we host an engaging 3-day conference that will bring local farmers, local organizations and local businesses together to network and help build the needed infrastructure for a long-lasting marketplace for farmers in Illinois.
We have some exciting offerings this year. The first is a produce safety class to satisfy the FSMA training requirements. Usually this class is $115. However, it is covered by your conference this year including the licensing fee!
Furthermore, we are providing curbside consulting. Participants can register for 30-minute to 1-hour slots with various technical service providers to get direct assistance. Topic for curbside consulting include: financing, grant writing, technology, website development, branding, cooperative development, food hub development, feasibility studies, budgeting, business planning and more.
Conference attendees range from producers, processors, nonprofits, universities, food hubs, food banks, cooperatives, farmer’s markets, schools and more. They also are from Illinois and surrounding states. It is a great diverse group of participants. Come meet everyone. We will host a networking cocktail hour and two networking breakfasts!
Nov. 5 – Pre-register for one full day workshop or one or two half-day programs.
Produce safety class is first-come first-serve with limited seating. Registration for this closes with early bird registration. Your conference fee includes manual and license, which is usually $115.
Nov. 6 & 7 – View the Conference agenda.
Registration costs:
Register early and save! (until Oct. 17)
Farm Bureau members: $125
Non-Farm Bureau members: $150
Late registration (Oct. 18-Oct 31)
Farm Bureau members: $150
Non-Farm Bureau members: $175
At-door registration (limited)
$200
Conference cost includes: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner, appetizers at networking hour and snacks and beverages throughout each day.
Register today and reserve your seat at an exclusive Farm to Table Dinner at Epiphany Farms on Nov. 5.
Additional $40 cost. Dinner reservation is not included in conference cost.
Read more about our conference exhibitor opportunities and sponsorship packages. Choose a sponsorship level that fits your needs. Your sponsorship will help strengthen the local food system in our communities.
Together we can grow into something greater... something more connected... something that benefits you, your community and Illinois farming.