Women and a young girl planting strawberries in a garden with greenhouses in the background.

December 10-11, 2025

The Jones Center - 922 E Emma Ave, Springdale, AR

Join us for a day of educational sessions, networking, and collaborative discussions designed to strengthen Northwest Arkansas's food system. For farmers, food entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in learning more about how to support our local food system!

Register Now

PLANNED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Logo for Center for Arkansas Farms and Food featuring a stylized tomato on a red background with green and maroon text.
Logo for Spring Creek Food Hub featuring a stylized vegetable with a plant sprout on top, encircled by the text 'Spring Creek Food Hub'.

Who Should Attend?

This conference brings together the full spectrum of our food system. Whether you're producing food, making it, buying it, or supporting those who do—there's a place for you here.

Join us if you are:

  • A farmer or rancher (beginning, established, or expanding)

  • A food entrepreneur developing or scaling a product

  • A chef, restaurant owner, or institutional buyer

  • A market manager or food system advocate

  • Anyone passionate about strengthening local food in NWA

Conference Overview

    • 18 educational sessions

    • Special tracks for beginning and advanced farmers, food entrepreneurs, farmers market managers, and food purchasers

    • Multiple networking opportunities

    • Exhibitor Hall

    • Inspiring Keynote presentation

    • Locally sourced lunch

    • Tours of Market Center of the Ozarks

    • Evening social at Market Center of the Ozarks

    • Abundia

    • Arkansas Cooperative Extension

    • Arkansas Department of Education

    • Arkansas Farm Bureau

    • Arkansas Food Innovation Center @ Market Center of the Ozarks

    • Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center

    • Arvest

    • BCS Tractor

    • Beaver Watershed Alliance

    • Bella Vista Farmers Market Foundation

    • Center for Arkansas Farms and Food

    • Certified Naturally Grown

    • Circle K Ranch

    • The Conservation Fund

    • Community Clinic

    • Cobblestone

    • Food Loops

    • H2Ozarks

    • Illinois River Watershed

    • Mindful Farmer

    • My HR Pros

    • NCAT/ATTRA

    • NWA Land Trust

    • Rogers Local Food Market

    • Southern SARE

    • Spring Creek Food Hub

    • Transfarmation

    • UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation

    • Tools and Equipment

    • Agritourism

    • Accessing Farmland

    • Farmer Burnout

    • Expanding to Wholesale Markets

    • Transition to Organic

    • Watershed-based and Conservation Funding Programs

    • Food Safety

    • Why Branding Matters

    • The Farm Stop Model

    • Menu Development

    • Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

    • Expanding and Scaling Your Business / AFIC-MCO Offerings

    • Food Trends and Innovations

    • Food Safety

    • Food Waste Reduction

    • Expanding to Wholesale Markets: Panel

    • Why Branding Matters

    • Incorporating Local Food into School Menus

    • Navigating Local Food in Schools

Conference Schedule & Session Info
Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you to our Sponsors!

HARVEST SPONSORS

ROOTED SPONSORS

SEED SPONSORS

Logo for Spring Creek Food Hub featuring a stylized vegetable with a plant sprout on top, encircled by the text 'Spring Creek Food Hub'.

Beverage Sponsors / Friends of the Conference

Venue & Lodging

Conference Venue

The Jones Center
922 E Emma Ave, Springdale, AR 72764

Accommodations

We've secured a special room rate for conference attendees at the Courtyard by Marriott Fayetteville.

Group Rate: $135/night
Available: December 8-12, 2025
Book by: November 21, 2025

The hotel is conveniently located just 15 minutes from the Jones Center, with easy access to downtown Fayetteville restaurants and amenities. Questions about accommodations? Call the hotel directly at 479.571.4900

Reserve your Room
Register Now

If you have questions about registration, conference content,

or any other inquiries, email shelly@nwalocalfood.com