Registration is open for the 2023 Local Food and Healthy Farms Conference, Feb. 3-4 at the Leadership Center in Aurora, Nebraska. The conference is open to the public.

The Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society’s annual conference has been a mainstay for decades. For the second year, the conference is a partnership with Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Specialty Crop Growers to provide the most dynamic and comprehensive farming and local food systems conference in the state. The conference invites attendees to learn, connect and collaborate for a more resilient food future.

Conference highlights include:

• More than 30 sessions on topics that span the agricultural and local food system spectrum, including farm financial and transition planning, farm skills, field crops, livestock, farm and food policy, urban agriculture and local food access.

• Keynote addresses from Katie Nixon, food systems leader and co-operator of Green Gate Family Farm, a certified organic diversified market farm; and Bob Quinn, a leader in promoting organic and sustainable agriculture and co-author of the book “Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs and Healthy Food.”

• Several opportunities to network with other farmers, researchers, sponsors, service agencies and consumers, including a Friday evening reception and exhibit hall.

The cost is $70 per day or $130 for both days and includes meals and access to all conference events. Scholarships are available. Register here by Jan. 27

The conference is supported by several sponsors, including Grain Place Foods, Roberts Seeds, the Center for Rural Affairs, World Wildlife Fund, Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Buy Fresh Buy Local.