Our Food, Our Future:
Cultivating Western Maryland's
​Food Future Conference

April 12, 2019
Allegany College of Maryland
College Center Building 
12401 Willowbrook Road, SE
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
Check out our Conference News page to see speaker highlights and more! 
The Western Maryland Food Council invites you to the first annual conference addressing all aspects of the food system in Garrett, Allegany and Washington Counties.

You will be introduced to food system issues and hear from speakers who work to improve various parts of the food system. Sessions will engage participants in discussions and brainstorming ways to combat food insecurity, enhance local food production, educate about nutrition, and promote other positive food system changes in the region.

The conference will feature exhibitors with food system expertise, services and products. Interested in exhibiting? Contact us at 301-724-3320.

Have lunch will with the speakers you would like to learn more about or ask questions of.

After the conference, join us for optional local food social and business tours! 

Sponsorships are available! If you want to see this event, and events like it continue in the future, please consider sponsoring!  Call 301-724-3320.

Download the conference brochure: 

Early Bird Registration
​due April 5
If you would like to register using a credit card proceed to purchasing a ticket by clicking the "Tickets" button above or this link:  
http://our-food-our-future.eventbrite.com

​If you would prefer to register by phone and mail a check, call the Allegany County University of Maryland Extension Office at 301-724-3320.  

Or, Download a Brochure & send the form with your check.  

Location

Check out our Conference News page to see speaker highlights and more! 

Draft Agenda

Subject to change as we confirm speakers! 
8:30 Registration
9:00 Welcome
9:15 "Building a Sustainable Food Future for Western Maryland."
Featured Speakers:
  • Anne Palmer, Program Director, Food Communities & Public Health Program, John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
  • Mark Winne, Senior Advisor, John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
10:00 Break
10:15 Educational Breakout Session 1
  • Opportunities for New Farmers
    • Sarah Sohn, Director, Beginner Farmer Training Program, Future Harvest
    • Ben and Hana Yoder – Savage Mountain Farm
    • Moderator – Willie Lantz
  • Food is Medicine
    • Kristin Wilkins, RDN, LDN Western Maryland Health System
    • Moderators – Theresa Stahl & Jen Thomas
  • Food Insecurity
    • Frank Ducey, Program Manager, Western Branch, Maryland Food Bank 
    • Vanessa Mannick, Eastern Elementary Teacher and Food Pantry
    • Jessica Mellon and 4-H Members from Allegany County
    • Moderator – Rachel Forlifer
11:30 Lunch – Eat Lunch with a speaker
12:30 Educational Breakout - Session 2
  • Opportunities for New Food Businesses
    • Mike Koch – Fire Fly Farms
    • Moderators – Cheryl DeBerry & Jessica Josephson
  • Farm to School/Institution
    • Dana McCauley and Students, Sunshine Farm, Crellin Elementary School
    • David Glenn, Director of Dining Services, Frostburg State University
    • Moderator – Lisa McCoy
  • Food and Environmental Sustainability
    • Siera Wigfield, Allegany County Recycling Coordinator
    • Carl Koch, Presidential Management Fellow, Special Projects Coordinator, Soil Health Division, USDA-NRCS
    • Moderator – Dan Fiscus
1:45 Break
2:00 Bringing it All Together into a Food System
Interactive session to help chart the food future of Western Maryland

3:15 Wrap up
3:30 End of regular conference
​
Optional After Conference Activities  
4:30      Toasted Goat Winery and Restaurant (Frostburg, MD)
               Wine Tasting, Local Cheeses and Presentation by Owner
 
5:30      Tour of Wholesome Harvest Cooperative (Frostburg, MD)
             Finger foods, meet the Chef and Manager, tour the Co-op,
             learn about membership, shopping
 
6:30      (Optional) Dinner at Toasted Goat Winery and Restaurant
             Enjoy the rest of the evening at the bar or have dinner!
              Please make dinner reservations by calling (240) 558-9463

Sponsors

Our generous sponsors are making this one-of-a-kind conference possible!  

 "Bumper Crop" Sponsors ($1,000)

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Economic Development 

Fruit & Veggie Sponsors ($500)

Seed & Sprout Sponsors ($250)
This conference is funded in part by a grant from: