Utah Farm & Food
Conference
January 11-13 2024
CULTIVATING CHANGE
who should speak at the Utah
Farm & Food Conference 2024...
Utah Farm & Food Conference 2023
In the rear view mirror
January 12 - 14, the 7th annual Utah Farm and Food conference, "Rooted In Resilience," gathered more than 200 farmers, ranchers, gardeners, biodynamic practitioners, permaculturists, educators, students, activists, chefs, seed geeks, foodies, and homesteaders from Utah and neighboring states. The conference inspired: learning, engaging, exploring, sharing, questioning, connecting, reflection, camaraderie, and reverence as a vibrant community gathered over three days. Our minds and hearts were opened, souls and spirits were nourished, and our wills were strengthened to continue the sacred work of stewarding land, growing food, building local food economies, and cultivating relationships.
Rooted in
Resilience
2023
Pre-conference workshops at Red Acre Farm included a pressure canner class, a deep dive into soil with Utah's Health Partnership, and a hands-on Biodynamic intensive.On the Amigo Farm tour, we visited Five Fingers Farm in New Harmony, a multi-generation farm raising meat, growing fruit and vegetables, laying hens, a milk goat herd, and a tiny home off the grid. We went to the town of Hilldale and toured Water Canyon Winery, Nature Attunement Micro Greens, and Finney Farm, a raw milk dairy.
Thursday night, we celebrated, conversed, and connected through the miracle of seed at the Seed Exchange and opening dinner by board member Chef Shon of Against the Grain Restaurant Group. Chicken from Cherith Brooke Farms and produce and ingredients from local, organic, and biodynamic producers were resourced from across the state.
The Clinton Ray Miller Legacy Food and Agriculture Award recipient this year was Gwen Crist. She is an ardent supporter and believer in the mission of Red Acre Center. The award is named after the late Clinton Ray Miller, who dedicated decades of his life as a lobbyist and activist for food and nutrition.
Gentle Yoga started off each morning.
Keynotes were woven with the theme of love, community, and being rooted in resiliency. Recognized for making it Happen in Utah: Kristen and Zach of B.U.G Farm, Salt Lake City, and Kat Puzey, owner of MoFACo .Over 20 diverse workshops and 40 presenters to learn, discuss, and share from.
The Farmers' Guild put on one rockin mixer. With local sodas, kombucha, cider, popcorn, chocolate, and a live bluegrass band.
Red Acre Center provided a wide variety of books in the bookstore while exhibitors and vendors offered products, information, and inspiration. Additional farmers, ranchers, bakers, and the public joined the vendors for Saturday's best-ever statewide Farmer's Market.
Jean- Martin Fortier closed the conference with the message of the importance of community and that we had something special and we need to work together and return each year.
We are thankful to all who helped to make this conference happen: The Board of Trustees, Business and Community Partners, farmers and producers, presenters, performers, exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, and most importantly, those who attended. You are the heart and soul of this event.
