Empowering farmers, inspiring eaters, and cultivating a stronger local food future together

By Leeoria Noonan
Agriculture, Natural Resources Extension Educator
The Ohio State University


In February 2026, Ohio State University Extension Montgomery County partnered with the Montgomery County Office of Strategic Initiatives and the County Commissioners to host the first annual Local Foods Conference. The event was created with a central goal in mind: to strengthen connections between local food producers and the local institutions, businesses, and organizations that purchase food within the county. This inaugural gathering brought together a diverse group of participants, including growers, restaurants, schools, gardeners, farmers market managers, and foodbank employees, all united by a shared interest in building a more resilient and collaborative local food system.

The day began with a thoughtfully curated, locally sourced breakfast featuring salt biscuits, tea, and quail egg skewers—each item provided by producers from within the region. This opening meal set the tone for a conference centered on celebrating and elevating local agriculture. Following breakfast, attendees moved into the first breakout session of the day, where they could choose from three distinct learning tracks: Beginning Farmer Opportunities, Scaling Small Farm Businesses, and Institutional Buying and Selling. These sessions offered participants the chance to learn from speakers with a wide range of professional backgrounds and firsthand experience in local food production, business development, and procurement.

After the initial breakout sessions, participants engaged in deeper, more focused discussions during the “deep dive” sessions, which allowed for extended conversation, problem-solving, and peer learning with the morning’s presenters. The midday break featured a locally sourced lunch paired with structured networking activities designed to help attendees build meaningful relationships and explore potential partnerships. The conference concluded with an engaging keynote address from Walt Bonham, whose insights and experiences further inspired participants to continue strengthening Montgomery County’s local food landscape. Overall, the event marked an energizing first step toward a more connected and sustainable regional food system.

Following the success of the first annual Local Foods Conference, momentum continues to build across Montgomery County’s local food community. Participants left the event energized, equipped with new knowledge, and connected to partners who share a commitment to strengthening the region’s food system. Many attendees expressed that the conference provided their first opportunity to engage directly with growers, institutional buyers, and community organizations in a structured, solutions‑focused setting.

Since the conference, several participants have already begun exploring collaborations sparked during the networking sessions. Growers reported making new connections with restaurants and schools interested in sourcing locally, while institutional buyers shared that the breakout sessions helped them better understand the needs and capacities of small and mid‑sized producers. The deep‑dive discussions also inspired follow-up conversations around scaling production, navigating procurement processes, and expanding market access.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of bringing such a diverse group together under one roof. Many noted that the locally sourced meals showcased the quality and creativity of Montgomery County producers, reinforcing the importance of investing in local agriculture. The keynote address from Walt Bonham continued to resonate with participants, encouraging them to think boldly about the future of local food systems.