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Louisiana Farm to School Conference set for Oct. 22-23 in Baton Rouge

Louisiana Farm to School Conference set for Oct. 22-23 in Baton Rouge Writer: Ruthie Losavio at rlosavio@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225-578-1037 (09/09/19) BATON ROUGE, La. — The fourth annual Louisiana Farm to School Conference will be held Oct. 22-23 at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Hosted by the LSU AgCenter, the event will emphasize three main components of the farm to school concept: education, school gardens and local food procurement. The conference will feature success stories, discussion panels, best practices and networking opportunities. Dozens of exhibitors will offer attendees resources, curricula and products. Anyone interested in local food systems, Louisiana agriculture, education, school gardens or healthy school meals is encouraged to attend. A “Meet the Buyer, Greet the Grower” event will kick off the conference on the evening of Oct. 22. This will provide a venue for networking between farmers, school nutrition staff, retailers and wholesale buyers. Participants will have guided, one-on-one conversations as well as open networking to facilitate successful long-term relationships and identify opportunities to increase economic success for Louisiana producers. “The Louisiana Farm to School team is pleased to offer the fourth statewide farm to school conference,” said Carl Motsenbocker, LSU AgCenter professor and executive director of the Louisiana Farm to School Program. “This conference provides the opportunity for those doing farm to school activities to network, share and gain knowledge, and celebrate the successes of farm to school from around the state.” Nationally recognized author, radio host and culinary activist Poppy Tooker will give the keynote address at the conference. Tooker is a New Orleans native who has gained recognition for her cookbooks and radio program, Louisiana Eats!, about preserving the food culture of Louisiana. Online registration for the conference can be found at https://laf2sc2019.eventbrite.com. The cost is $33 per person, and space is limited. The conference agenda and an application for financial assistance can be found on the registration page. For more information, contact the Louisiana Farm to School team at 225-578-1037 or louisianafarmtoschool@agcenter.lsu.edu.