Networking with like-minded farmers, food advocates, and others is always a highlight of the Kansas Rural Center’s Annual Farm & Food Conference, and this year promises to be no different. This year’s two-day program, “Transforming Our Farms, Our Food and Our Future: Building the Road as We Go,” will be held November 18 – 19, 2016, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 530 Richards Drive, Manhattan, Kansas, and will include nationally renowned speakers, locally-sourced food, a social hour/reception with live music, and a silent auction featuring items from local artists, farms, authors, and more.

To attend, register by November 14, online at kansasruralcenter.org/conference-2016, or by contacting KRC at info@kansasruralcenter.org or 866-579-5469.

In addition to this year’s lineup of speakers and workshop sessions, KRC will host a social hour and reception on Friday, November 18, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, providing an opportunity to network with conference participants and speakers, to bid on silent auction items, and to visit with conference sponsors.

Beer from Manhattan’s Little Apple Brewery, a selection of Kansas wines, and light snacks made with locally-sourced food will be served. Manhattan entertainers, Brother Jeb Bolan and Tony Ridder of the Grateful Dudes will provide folk and vintage rock-and-roll music for the evening.

The conference silent auction will be open for bidding Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. Items include handmade quilts, gift certificates to restaurants across Kansas, metal art, meat bundles, books, and gift baskets featuring locally made items. Bidders do not need to be present to win. Proceeds from the auction will benefit KRC’s work to support diversified agricultural production, community food solutions, and public policy advocacy.

Lunch featuring locally-sourced ingredients will be provided each day, offering conference attendees a hearty, healthy meal and time for networking and visiting exhibitor booths in order to connect with and learn more about the great people and exciting things happening in farming, food production and the environment, in Kansas and beyond.

This year’s conference includes a track sponsored by the North Central Region – Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE), titled “The Farmer Forum.” This track will highlight SARE-funded farmer research projects, with presentations by eight farmers from across Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Three keynote speakers will focus on the importance of pollinators and soil health to diversified farming systems, and the critical role of connections and networks in creating healthy, viable local food systems. Keynote speakers include entomologist and award-winning researcher, Dr. Jonathan Lundgren; author and Stanford University lecturer, Dr. Liz Carlisle; and senior pollinator conservation specialist for The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Jennifer Hopwood.

Duane Goossen and Heidi Holliday, Kansas Center for Economic Growth, will also provide a special overview of the Kansas economy and the issues and challenges that the State Legislature and citizens of Kansas will face in 2017.

Other workshops, presentations, and panel discussions will cover a wide range of topics, offering very practical how-to information for farmers and ranchers, community organizing ideas for civic leaders and engaged citizens, and policy analysis, discussion of issues, and inspiring models of paradigm shift around farming and food systems for all who attend.

Cost to attend the conference is $65 per day, or $120 for both days. Registration includes access to all presenters, lunch and snacks both days, and the Friday evening social hour. Student scholarships may be available.

To learn more about the agenda, registering, or scholarships at this year’s conference visit http://kansasruralcenter.org/conference-2016/, or call Natalie Fullerton at 866-579-5469 Extension 701, or email info@kansasruralcenter.org.

The mission of KRC, founded in 1979, is to promote the long-term health of the land and its people through research, education and advocacy that advance an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just food and farming system. For more information, visit www.kansasruralcenter.org.