As with many things in the past few years, change has settled into our everyday lives. We wanted a conference theme that reflected those feelings.

Germinate, Regenerate, Agitate not only follows the process of many farmers and advocates, but it also follows our perspective as we look to shaping the future of agricultural policy with the 2023 Farm Bill. This is an impactful point in time where we can empower a system where family farmers can thrive, fair and transparent markets can prosper, and people, the soil, and the environment can be healthy and sustainable. Sometimes that takes planting seeds, rebuilding our community, and shaking some things up.

Of course, change also comes in the form of a new conference venue, Cherry Valley Hotel in Central Ohio. Listening to the needs of conference attendees, we found the space that best suits our event’s needs, and we hope it suits yours as well.

After a full day of Food and Farm School classes, the conference officially kicks off Thursday night with a happy hour, taco bar, and keynote address with Rowen White on the first leg of our theme: germinate. From there, we dive into more than 50 workshops, meaningful community conversations and networking, exhibit hall shopping, Kids’ Conference, and more. Things will wrap up Saturday afternoon with keynote Ricardo Salvador on just how much we can agitate to get a farm bill fit for purpose.