South Dakota Ag Connection - South Dakota Local Foods Conference in Mitchell

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South Dakota Local Foods Conference in Mitchell
South Dakota Ag Connection - 09/23/2016

The 2016 South Dakota Local Foods Conference (SDLFC) is scheduled for Nov. 3-5 in Mitchell at the Highland Conference Center at 2000 Highland Way.

In-depth pre-conference sessions begin Nov. 3, followed by the start of the conference on Friday, Nov. 4. A social networking event will take place the evening of Nov. 4 and a fourth track "In The Kitchen" at Mitchell Culinary Institute is scheduled for Nov. 5.

"This conference provides educational programming and networking opportunities for producers, local food enthusiasts - and resource providers of specialty crops and other niche local food products," said Kari O'Neill, SDSU Extension Community Development Field Specialist.

Other components of the event include vendor booths and meals using local foods.

The conference will include two keynote speakers: Daniel Halsey, a certified permaculture designer and teacher for multiple academic institutions and organizations out of Prior Lake Minnesota; and "The Sioux Chef," Sean Sherman, who was born in Pine Ridge and is now a caterer and food educator focusing on revitalizing indigenous food systems in a modern culinary context in the Minneapolis, St. Paul area.

During the pre-conference sessions, Nov. 3, producers have the option to receive intensive training.

Five different sessions are planned: 'Permaculture Design and Perennial Crop Systems Design' with keynote speaker, Dan Halsey; 'Cooking with Indigenous Food' with keynote speaker, Chef Sean Sherman; 'Social Media and Marketing'; 'Writing your 2017 Value Added, SARE, USDA, and Specialty Crop Block Grant'; and 'Hops 101.'

These sessions require advance registration separate from the conference registration.

The mainstay production, marketing and business tracks are offered during the main conference Nov. 4-5.

Production topics range from Marketing Meat Goats, Hydroponics, Hops, Production of Herbs, to Honeybees 101. Some of the marketing track sessions include How to Market Online by Bizzy Lizzy Flourless Bakery, the Marketing Story of Wild Idea Buffalo and a Brewers Panel.

Business track sessions include a presentation by Wozupi Tribal Gardens, the Fundamentals of Creating a Business Plan, Building Natural Capital with Plant Systems with keynote speaker Dan Halsey, and Food Safety. The conference is meant to continue the dialogue on local foods among producers, growers, consumers, school nutrition programs, grocers, restaurants and resource providers. Anyone with an interest in local foods is encouraged to attend. Continuing Education hours are available to chefs who participate in the event.

Early bird registration runs through Sept. 30, 2016 for the two-day event at $75 per person. October 1, the registration goes to $85 per person. Registration for either Friday or Saturday only is $45.

To register, visit the Eventbrite registration page and complete your online payment for any of the pre-conference sessions and the conference.

The Local Foods Conference is sponsored by a collaboration of partners including the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, SDSU Extension, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development, Dakota Rural Action, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, the South Dakota Small Business Development Center, Mitchell Technical Institute, Black Hills Food Hub, and Spearfish Local.

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