Sandra Renner, Farm & Community Program director, sandrar@cfra.org, 402.687.2100 ext. 1009; or Rhea Landholm, brand marketing and communications manager, rheal@cfra.org, 402.687.2100 ext 1025
PENDER, NEBRASKA – Small businesses and community leaders are invited to the first-ever Food + Art Conference: Growing Rural Businesses and Communities, hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs.
Registration is still open for the event, set for Thursday, Oct. 10, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Pender Community Center, 614 Main St., in Pender, Nebraska.
Opening keynote speaker, Michael Fortunato, will focus on innovative approaches to developing food hubs, business incubation and entrepreneurship, and developing creative community strategies through art and makerspaces.
The conference will offer nine breakout sessions on topics of funding, small business basics, food hubs, how to market and sell your art, developing cooperatives, and community development around local foods and the arts. An interactive session with exhibitors will offer free consultations, technical advice, samples, recipes, and a live food demonstration with a chef.
“Local foods and the arts are emerging market opportunities for rural communities and business owners,” said Sandra Renner, Farm & Community Program director with the Center for Rural Affairs. “This conference focuses on giving small food and arts-based businesses the tools they need to be successful and access to multiple resources that can assist them.”
There is still limited seating available for a post-conference session with Fortunato. Participants will leave the session with a two-page action plan for their business.
For more information and to register, visit cfra.org/events. Contact Renner at sandrar@cfra.org or 402.687.2100 ext. 1009 with questions.
Sponsors for the conference include Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District and Center for Rural Affairs. Funding for the conference is provided by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant.
