The FamilyFarmed EXPO opens once again with the groundbreaking Financing Farm to Fork Conference. The day is filled with information and networking to help food businesses, farms, and people interested in investing in the good food movement to grow their businesses. Financing Farm to Fork features keynotes by trailblazing speakers, an afternoon full of skill building workshops, and a Financing Fair showcasing 24 farms and food businesses who are seeking capital. Get your tickets today.  More info below!

Financing Fair Presenters   

Looking to invest in local good food farms and businesses? Don't miss the Financing Fair power hour from 1:45-2:45 pm during the Financing Farm to Fork Conference!  The Financing Fair provides bankers, angel investors, venture capitalists, economic development professionals, and philanthropists a dynamic environment to spark new relationships and initiate conversations with several vetted farms and businesses looking to launch new initiatives.  This will be a walk-around format, with the selected companies hosting a table showcasing information about their businesses and offering product samples where appropriate.  Participating companies include:  

Growing Home, Inc. ~ Moss Funnel Farms ~ Big Head Farm, Inc. 

Grass Run Farm, Inc. ~ 312 Aquaponics LLC ~ Autre Monde Caf� 

Irv & Shelly's Fresh Picks ~ Eden Farms Incorporated ~ Michigan Malt Co. 

Tiny But Mighty Foods, Inc. ~ Square One� Organics 

Gluten-Free & Vegan Products L3C ~ Black Earth Meat Market, LLC 

Harvest Moon Farms ~ Family Farmers Meats, LLC 

Crop to Cup Coffee Company ~ Wind Ridge Herb Farm ~ The Glass Rooster 

Provenance Food & Wine ~ American Flatbread ~ Local Orbit, LLC 

The Scrumptious Pantry ~ This Old Farm, Inc.  

Ruth and Phil's Gourmet Ice Cream 

Another great can't miss feature of the conference is the presentation of the SLoFIG Business Plan Competition finalists.  After a competitive application process, two finalists were selected to receive mentoring and technical support from these stellar business experts in the areas of marketing, risk management, accounting, and legal matters. This mentoring is currently taking place to help the finalists improve their business models and refine their investor presentations.

From 1:00 - 1:45 pm, the finalists will present to a panel of industry experts and investors, and they will receive valuable feedback on their presentations.  The competition is sponsored by SLoFIG (Sustainably Local Food Investment Group), an emerging investment network whose mission is to nurture the growth of a sustainable, local food system in the Chicago region.

Please join us for the Financing Fair and SLoFIG Business Plan Competition and get in on the booming sustainable and local foods movement! Get your Financing Farm to Fork tickets today.  

Conference Speakers

The Financing Farm to Fork Conference features national and regional experts and investors discussing food businesses, farm financing, food access, value added businesses, and more. Confirmed speakers include Gary Hirshberg, Founder and CEO of Stonyfield Farm, Will Allen, Farmer and CEO of Growing Power, Whole Foods Market Midwest CEO Michael Bashwaw, Financier Andy Whitman, University of Chicago's Linda Darragh, FamilyFarmed.org President Jim Slama, Eli's Cheesecake CEO, Marc Schulman, Chuck Templeton, founder of Open Table, and many more.

Family Farmed EXPO

FamilyFarmed EXPO is a three day conference, trade show, and food festival for farmers, businesses, the trade, individuals, and families.

Farmers and Producers: Grow Your Business by learning about financing and meeting investors on March 17. On March 18, meet those in the trade like school food service administrators, grocery buyers and distributors, chefs, and more! On March 19, meet thousands of direct consumers and build relationships to last throughout the year!

Trade Buyers, Investors, Bankers, Chefs, Food Service Administrators: Grow Your Business on March 17 by connecting with farmers and producers looking to start and expand their businesses. On March 18, meet and develop relationships with dozens of farmers and producers looking to sell wholesale.  On March 19, check out the Good Food Festival to discover some of the best in the good food movement!