By May Hunter, For Iron County Today
January 15–17, the 10th annual Utah Farm & Food Conference, From the Ground Up, gathered more than 300 farmers, ranchers, gardeners, educators, students, chefs, and many others from Utah and neighboring states. The three-day conference inspired learning, engagement, exploration, sharing, questioning, connection, reflection, and camaraderie. Many minds and hearts were opened, souls nourished, and the will strengthened to continue the sacred work of stewarding land, growing food, building local economies, and cultivating relationships.
Keynote speakers were Larry Jacobs-Del Cabo, Mollie Engelhart-Sovereignty Ranch, Scott Stubbs-Iron County Farm Bureau Utah Public Lands Council, Bob Quinn-Dry Land & Irrigated Grain Production. They were focused on farming, ranching, permaculture, food preservation, organic and biodynamic practices.There was even a seed exchange to share varieties, opportunities to cross-pollinate with farmers and food advocates to bolster our local food network in our state.
The event concluded with the statewide Farmers’ Market, celebrating the bounty of Utah and the hard work of dedicated farmers, ranchers, growers, and artisanal producers. Attendees experienced the joy of knowing where their food comes from and the satisfaction of supporting the local food economy.
The event was sponsored by the Red Acre Center for Food & Agriculture and was open to the public. It was held at the Heritage Center Theater Lobby in Cedar City.
The Red Acre Center for Food & Agriculture thanks everyone for attending. Attendance this year was phenomenal, and organizers look forward to next year being even bigger and better.
A garden returns 50 x the investment you put into it. Not just food, but joy, peace and a real connection with creation. A spiritual retreat from a noisy world and hurried people. GROW A GARDEN. “Vegetable gardens add years to your life, and life to your years.” “By feeding ourselves and our neighbors first, the world will be fed”
