As Marbleseed prepares for our 36th Annual Organic Farming Conference and our
communities settle into winter reflection, there’s no better time to get inspired by this
year’s conference theme: Local Food Revolution.
For someone who has moved around much of my life, the idea of “local” can feel elusive.
What is local? Is it the Midwest? Is it Wisconsin? My neighborhood? While defining local
often falls short, the feeling of local is unmistakable. Local is knowing the farmer who grew
your veggies. Local is recognizing a little extra kick in your favorite jam after the maker
perfected their recipe. Local is the meat producer who thoughtfully cared for their livestock
from its first day to its last. Local is the new faces on day one of the conference becoming
familiar friends by day three. Local is community.
While geography can help us define local, ultimately it’s about relationships—the ties
between people, food, and places. We can grow and strengthen local food movements by
bringing these networks together. At the Organic Farming Conference, we bring individuals
from across the region, each contributing their own sense of what local means. As we get
to know one another, sharing our similarities and learning from our differences, a
foundation of respect, understanding, and mutual support is built.
Through skill-building, collective decision-making, and sharing goods and ideas, these
hubs of local food transform into an interconnected web. Each maintains its distinct
identity while growing stronger as part of a larger, unified network. The local food revolution
is a revolution rooted in relationships, and at Marbleseed, we’re dedicated to creating
spaces where the Midwest organic farming community can build those relationships. . That
dedication is the foundation on which the Organic Farming Conference was built and why
we’re thrilled to host it for the 36th year.
This year’s conference begins on Thursday, February 20, with half-day sessions developed
in collaboration with our incredible regional partners. These sessions offer attendees the
tools, knowledge, and inspiration to help their farm business, and by extension local
communities, thrive this upcoming growing season. The tradeshow is a snapshot of the
100+ businesses, service providers, academic institutions, and nonprofits that make the
Local Food Revolution possible. Friday’s Farmer Summits bring farmer voices to the
forefront, placing their leadership and expertise at the center of the conversation.
These summits provide a platform for farmers to share local insights, contribute to decision-
making, and collectively shape the future of our food systems.
But our commitment to local doesn’t stop with our conference programming. It’s woven
into every part of the 3-day conference. Seventy percent of the food served is donated by
generous regional sponsors. This year’s entertainment features the beloved local band,
Frog Slough, and La Crosse’s very own Trivia Tim. The conference itself a reflection of our
local community.A robust local food system is critical for creating a resilient future. It’s a powerful tool for
building climate resilience, supporting community health, and strengthening local
economies. But this revolution isn’t just about systems—it’s about people. It’s about the
farmers who steward the soil with care and wisdom. It’s about the advocates who fight for a
more equitable and sustainable food system. It’s about the consumers who choose to
invest in their communities by supporting local growers and producers. The Local Food
Revolution encompasses all of us.
At the Marbleseed Conference, these values come to life. You’ll feel it in the energy of a
packed workshop. You’ll see it in the inspiration sparked by this year’s keynote speaker, Dr.
Robert Dunn. And you’ll witness it in the familiar connections formed over a shared meal.
The conference is more than just an event: it’s a living, breathing example of the Local Food
Revolution in action. Together, we’re proving that this revolution isn’t just an idea. It’s
happening now; one conversation, one handshake, one meal at a time.
As we look ahead to the 2025 Marbleseed Conference, we invite you to join us. Whether
you’re a farmer, an advocate, or someone who believes in the transformative power of local
food, your voice and passion are vital to growing this movement. Meet the faces behind
your food, learn from the experts driving change, and leave with the tools and inspiration to
create meaningful change in your own community.
Learn more at conference.marbleseed.org.
