The Planning Committee for the Governor’s Local Food and Agriculture Summit continues to put the finishing touches on the event, which will take place on October 28-29, 2016, in Bozeman on the Montana State University campus. The event will bring together people who care about Montana’s food economy and want to strategize for its future.
Our Track Organizers are finalizing the content for our five topical tracks. Attendees will choose one track and remain with it during the event to help identify challenges that exist and brainstorm ways to address them. The tracks will be a mixture of panel presentations, small group discussions, and attendees prioritizing next steps. All of the tracks will report out their top recommendations at the Summit’s conclusion.
In addition to the tracks, the Summit will feature two great keynote speakers. On the Summit’s opening night (Friday, October 28), Fred Kirschenmann, a nationally recognized expert on sustainable agriculture from Iowa State University’s Leopold Center, will discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist when it comes to developing more resilient food systems. The following day at lunch, award-winning author and economist Michael Shuman will provide insight about how vibrant local food systems can serve as engines for economic development. You can read more about the Summit’s keynote speakers here.
More information about the Summit, including how to register, can be found at https://foodsummit.ncat.org/. There are a limited number of student scholarships available, which can be applied for through the website. The deadline to submit scholarship applications is September 30. The overall agenda for the Summit continues to be refined, and we encourage you to check the website frequently for the latest information.
