WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains, the Ozark Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (OFAC) and the City of West Plains are teaming up to host the “Bringing Back the American Small Farm 2017” conference March 8-9.

The event takes place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St., in West Plains. Admission is $50 for a full two-day pass, $25 for student passes, and $35 for the group rate; registration includes lunch. To register, visit http://AmericanSmallFarm.com.

Premier event sponsors include the West Plains Daily Quill and Ozark Radio Network and The Ozark Horse Trader.

Conference attendees will learn how to farm with little or no equipment, create income from small acreage, and how to contribute to the regional food supply using whatever land resources are available to them. Whether that’s a backyard garden area or 100 acres, the conference will provide the information they need to start producing local foods, organizers said.

Attendees also will learn low-input cost farming with hands-on instruction. Topics include low-tunnel farming for year-round production, no-till organic farming to improve soil and plant health, and livestock grading, butchering and cutting meat. Demonstrations will be provided on how to use small-farming equipment.

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.