The annual Emerging Farmers Conference (formerly the Immigrant & Minority Farmers Conference) serves to advance the success and sustainability of farmers who traditionally face barriers to the education and resources necessary to build profitable agricultural businesses. This innovative conference focuses primarily on the needs and interests of farmers of color and immigrant farmers, and supports their contributions to local economic development and building healthy communities. It does so by connecting farmers, farm advocates, educators, professionals, experts, and agency officials.
Visit mnfoodassociation.org/about-efc for more information.
Schedule
Friday, January 26th
Check-in: 6:00 p.m.
Workshops 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday evening will feature hands-on workshops where farmers can get their hands dirty in learning how to grow healthy transplants, begin a custom business plan in a business planning workshop, or learn all about High Tunnel systems!
Saturday, January 27th, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
Farmers will have nine workshop choices throught the day including topics such as: growing the best tomatoes, goal-setting, farmer-to-farmer learning, and weed management.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is food provided?
Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack will be provided on Saturday, January 27th. -
Is language interpretation available?
Language interpretation is based on registration and historically has been available in Hmong, Karen, Somali, Nepali, and Spanish. We do our best to accommodate all farmers but cannot guarantee interpretation for last-minute registrations. -
I'm from out of town. Where should I stay?
There is a block of hotel rooms reserved at the Radisson Hotel Roseville, 2540 N. Cleveland Avenue, Roseville, MN until January 19, 2018. To receive the reduced rate of $114/night, call (800) 333-3333 before January 19 and reserve your room under the block “EFC.” The hotel has shuttle service available to and from the conference center and a restaurant onsite. Please arrange shuttle service with the hotel. -
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
***Parking is available in Parking Lot S104, the parking lot bordering the east side of the Conference Center. The parking fee is $6.00 per day.
Driving Directions and Map:
University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center
1890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
From I-694 take 35W south to the Cleveland Avenue exit (Note: exit to the left). Follow Cleveland Avenue to Larpenteur Avenue. Go east (left) on Larpenteur to Gortner, turn south (right) on Gortner, and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
From I-35W take the Highway 36 exit and turn south on Cleveland Avenue to Larpenteur Avenue. Go east (left) on Larpenteur to Gortner, turn south (right) on Gortner, and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
From downtown St. Paul: Go west on I-94 to Snelling Ave. Go north on Snelling Ave. to Larpenteur Avenue. Go west (left) on Larpenteur to Gortner, turn south (left) on Gortner, and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
From downtown Minneapolis: Go east on I-94 to MN-280, exit number 236. (Note: exit to the left.) Merge onto MN-280 north. Exit at Larpenteur Ave. Take Larpenteur east (right) to Gortner (third traffic light). Turn south (right) on Gortner and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
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Who can I contact with questions?
Emily Squyres, Minnesota Food Association
emily@mnfoodassociation.org; (651) 433-3676
Moua Meng Yang, Hmong American Partnership
mouamengy@hmong.org; (651) 495-1528
THANK YOU to our 2018 Sponsors!
---SUSTAINER SPONSORS--
- Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service, Inc.
- USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Services
---HARVESTER SPONSORS---
- University of Minnesota Extension
---CULTIVATOR SPONSORS---
- AgCountry Farm Credit
- Asian Economic Development Association
- Co-Bank
- Compeer Financial
- Farmers' Legal Action Group
- Hmong American Partnership
- Lakewinds Food Co-op
- Latino Economic Development Center
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- North Central Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education
- Organic Valley
- Renewing the Countryside II
- The Good Acre
- USDA - Farm Service Agency
- ---SEED SOWER SPONSORS---
- Central Minnesota Young Farmers Coalition
- Crossroads Resource Center, Inc.
- Healthy Foods Healthy Lives Institute
- Johnny's Selected Seeds
- Minnesota Farmers Union
- Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
- Mississippi Market
The Emerging Farmers Conference is hosted by the Minnesota Food Association & The Food Group