The Food and Growers Association, based in southeastern Indiana, is hosting their annual winter conference on Saturday, February 4 at the Batesville Middle School. This year’s theme is: “Local Food: A ‘Growing’ Revolution.”

The event will feature speakers and educational presentations on two tracks. The first track will include lectures relevant to farmers and producers, and the second track will be aimed at home gardeners and consumers. Topics for producers will include: Small farm profitability, closed-loop farming, season extension using high and low tunnels, and a Q&A panel with experienced farmers. The keynote speaker is Nate Parks of Silverthorn Farms (Rossville, IN), with other notable speakers including Marc Luff of Finn Meadows Farms (Montgomery, OH) and Chris Merkel of Michaela Farms (Oldenburg, IN). As part of the consumer track program, local experts will discuss and/or demonstrate fermentation, canning, cheesemaking, home gardening techniques, medicinal mushrooms and wild edible foraging . Participants may attend any lecture in either track!

Lunch will be provided as a “Taste of Southeast Indiana,” in which area restaurants will pair with our local farmers! New this year, a children’s program for children ages 3-10 will be available to the children of conference attendees. The program will include lunch and lessons about farming and local food.
Also, be sure to check out the winter market vendor area, featuring locally produced foods and other items, as well as informational booths from area organizations. The vendor area will be free and open to the public from 9-11am, so invite your friends!

Check out the FGA website (foodandgrowers.org) for more information on speakers and schedule. Registration is open now, and tickets are limited! Please plan to register early through the Eventbrite page: https://fga-winter-conference.eventbrite.com, by emailing: contact@foodandgrowers.org, or calling 812-212-5432.

We look forward to seeing you there!