From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference

January 11 - 13, 2022

The Conference You’ve Been Waiting For

Don’t miss out on the first annual From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Hybrid Conference, held Jan. 11-13, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.

This combined Illinois Food, Farmers Market and Specialty Crop Conference is a collaboration among the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Farmers Market Association to bring together more people than ever from across Illinois’ local food, specialty crop and farmers market supply chains. Available in both in-person and virtual formats, this unique gathering combines the best parts of the events previously known as the Illinois Specialty Crop Conference and the Live Local: Local Food and Farmers Market conference.

This one-of-a-kind event brings together [ILSGA: specialty crop producers; ILFMA: farmers market managers; IFB: farmers(?)] and buyers from across the state with other partners throughout the Illinois local food supply chain. By more efficiently connecting the supply chain, more income is generated; fewer businesses handle the product in processing and transit; and the products are harvested and packaged at a fresher stage. These improvements benefit the local economies and food opportunities of communities across the state. 

You asked, and we listened. Producers want to know more about getting the most from their farms. Local food interests and farmers markets want to work with excellent producers to promote our state’s local food systems. These efforts to build relationships don’t stop at the fencerow or market gate. So, we’ve found a way to connect the right people to enhance the robust Illinois local and specialty agriculture system.

What You Can Expect at the Conference

Aside from the networking opportunities to develop and share new ideas, attendees of the From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Hybrid Conference will have the chance to:

  • Hear perspectives from general session keynote speakers who understand and champion the specialty and local food markets.
  • Engage in breakout tracks ranging from grower production practices and business development to farmers’ market management and community food systems.
  • Attend workshops on [agritourism, hydroponics, sweet corn production : GAP certification, farm-to-school training, social media management and more.; risk assessment and management, funding and financing, social media management and more.]
  • Interact with vendors, associations and non-profits at the conference's trade show.

Don’t Miss Your Chance

Make your connections at this year’s From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference.

Register now! While registration will be available at the event, IFB, ISGA and ILFMA members can preregister for a discounted rate of $75. Non-members can also preregister for $175.

Interested in Sponsoring the Conference? We couldn’t put on phenomenal events without the help of our sponsors. Learn more about our multiple sponsorship opportunities. The deadline to secure a spot is November 30. Click Here To Know More

Live Stream Schedule

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11

9:00AM-10:30AM
General Session I
10:40AM-11:30AM
Financing Options for Urban Farms
1:20PM-2:10PM
Is the Intelligent Sprayer a Good Bet for Midwest Apple Growers
2:20PM-3:10PM
Improve Drip Irrigation Management in Vegetable Production

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

9:00AM-10:30AM
General Session II
10:40AM-11:30AM
Mesotunnels: A New Twist for Organic Cucurbit-Crop Production
1:20PM-2:10PM
It Can Be Done! Growing Ginger, Tumeric and Galangal in Illinois
2:20PM-2:10PM
How to Make Money with Farm to Table Dinners
3:20PM-4:10PM
Virtual Networking
7:00PM-8:15PM
General Session III & Awards Banquet

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13

9:00PM-9:50PM
ABC of Hydroponic Production
10:00PM-10:50PM
Selling to School Markets
11:00PM-11:50PM
Follow the Light: Supplemental Lighting for Hydroponic Crops
1:00PM-1:50PM
Active Shooter Preparedness
2:00PM-2:50PM
What is it Like to be Audit for GAPs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you must be registered to participate in the From Food to Flowers: Everything local conference. Register Here.
You asked, and we listened. Producers want to know more about getting the most from their farms. Local food interests and farmers markets want to work with excellent producers to promote our states local food systems. These efforts to build relationships don't stop at the fencerow or market gate. So, we’ve a way to connect the right people to enhance the robust Illinois local and specialty agriculture system.
The virtual platform runs on the cloud so you don’t need to install software to access the online conference. All you need is a standard web browser and a stable internet connection.
Exhibitors receive unique conference login access when they set up their exhibit booth. If you are an exhibitor and do not know your login, please contact Raghela Scavuzzo at rscavuzzo@ilfb.org or (309)557-2155.