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The FEAST! Local Foods Network is a partnership of many organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to growing a sustainable, local, and regional food system which encourages innovation.

The Friday industry-only tradeshow gives regional food businesses the opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, technical assistance providers, and wholesale buyers. Early bird registration for exhibitors ends August 31.

The Saturday festival is open to the public and gives businesses the opportunity to offer samples, tell their story, and sell their artisan products to the public. Tickets go on sale in October.

The National Farm Viability Conference is geared towards professionals in the fields of farm and food business planning, financial planning, agricultural financing, farmland conservation, agricultural market development, and food hub management. It offers attendees the opportunity to network and learn from industry leaders and other professionals in their fields, develop new knowledge and skills, and tour nearby farms and value-added processing facilities.

Connect with agriculture at our Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) State Fair exhibit featuring Fun, Farming, and Freebies.

• Each day from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. kids can join staff and volunteers from Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom to make an agriculturally-related item to take home.
• Learn more about industrial hemp, one of Minnesota's most popular emerging crops.
• Talk to Minnesota Grown farmer-members and pick up your copy of the Minnesota Grown Directory of local farms and farmers markets.
• Find out more about Minnesota's official state bee – the Rusty Patched Bumblebee – and how to protect it and other pollinators.
• Take a picture at one of our fun photo-op stations to post on social media.

Our booth is located in the North Hall of the Agriculture/Horticulture Building at the northeast corner of Underwood Street and Judson Avenue. The building is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (closing at 8:00 p.m. on Labor Day.)

Each year, the MDA hosts this conference and tradeshow for farmers and others interested in organic agriculture. Join us for two days of networking, learning, and great food.

Residents of Nobles County are invited to an open house on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, regarding the discovery of emerald ash borer in the county. Those attending the open house will have an opportunity to learn more about EAB and local options to deal with the insect and hear how residents can limit the spread of the bug. Experts will be available to answer questions.

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add Nobles County to the state formal quarantine. The MDA will take comments on the proposed formal quarantine through September 25, 2019, and proposes to adopt the quarantine on October 1, 2019. The quarantine limits the movement of ash trees and limbs, and hardwood firewood out of the county. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab. Comments can be made at the open house.

Residents of Steele County are invited to an open house on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, regarding the discovery of emerald ash borer in the county. Those attending the open house will have an opportunity to learn more about EAB and local options to deal with the insect and hear how residents can limit the spread of the bug. Experts will be available to answer questions.

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add Steele County to the state formal quarantine. The MDA will take comments on the proposed formal quarantine through October 25, 2019, and proposes to adopt the quarantine on November 1, 2019. The quarantine limits the movement of ash trees and limbs, and hardwood firewood out of the county. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

Comments can be made at the open house.