WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains, the Ozark Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (OFAC), the University of Missouri Extension and the City of West Plains are teaming up to host the “Bringing Back the American Small Farm 2018” conference March 8-9 at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St., in West Plains.
Activities and presentations for the third annual event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, organizers said.
FEATURED SPEAKER
This year’s conference will feature Joel Salatin and family from the innovative and highly successful Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia. The Salatins have lead the clean food, know-your-farmer, animal welfare and living farming movements since their inception. Registration is now open for the exclusive presentation of “Polyface You” the morning of March 8; call 417-255-7966 for details.
OTHER WORKSHOPS
The conference also will feature 30 additional workshops featuring experts on such topics as beekeeping, no-till organic farming for improving soil and plant health, fall/winter farming extension, high and low tunnels/greenhouses for year-round production, low input cost farming, tapping trees for syrup, soap making, agri-tourism for additional income, blacksmithing, other ways to create income from small acreage, and how to contribute to the regional food supply using whatever land resources are available, organizers said.
“Whether it’s a backyard garden area or 100 acres, the conference will provide the information attendees need to start producing local foods,” organizers said.
SPONSORS
Event sponsors include Community First National Bank, FCS Financial, Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, Landmark Bank, Morgan County Seeds, Richards Brothers, Toyota of West Plains, Ozark Radio Network, West Plains Bank & Trust Company, West Plains Daily Quill and USA Prepares Radio.
For more information or to register for the conference, visit http://AmericanSmallFarm.com or contact event coordinator Patrice Jennings at 417-293-0590.
The SBTDC provides assistance to individuals who want to start or run their own small businesses. SBTDC staff work with Missouri entrepreneurs and small businesses that are for-profit (not a non-profit charitable or educational organization). Whether you are currently in business or thinking about starting a business, the SBTDC can assist you in your venture. The West Plains SBTDC serves entrepreneurs in seven counties across the region: Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas and Wright. Since they are funded in part through the Small Business Administration, virtually all of their services are free.