Conference FAQ
How did this come about?
This event grew out of discussions at Argus Farm Stop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Argus, inspired by the work of Local Roots in Wooster, Ohio, launched their first store in 2014. Argus now operates three storefronts where, among other things, they sell consigned goods for over 200 farmers and operate a coffee shop and tavern. As momentum around the farm stop model has grown, more than 500 people have attended the classes Argus holds on how to open and operate farm stops. Passionate about the model, having seen the impact in Michigan first-hand, the Argus team put word out through the farm stop network the summer of 2023 proposing an annual event. The response was positive and enthusiastic. So here we are.
What’s the agenda?
We want this conference to be useful in a practical sense. While we want to celebrate the positive work we’re all doing, and inspire one another in a general sense, our main objective is to create a platform for the exchange of knowledge, in hopes that we all might learn valuable lessons to take back home, and implement. We want to see farm stops not only multiply, but thrive.
In additional to operational content, we will hear from panels that will address the broader context for what we’re doing. During these panels we hope to explore issues like how we quantify and track our economic impact, how we frame our work in relation to others working in the local food system, and how we engage with our local communities.
The conference will be held over the course of three days.
The session schedule can be seen on the Schedule page of this site.
Who’s coming?
More than 100 attendees will be participating in the event. Our group will include representatives from 10 different farm stops, people from all over the country with aspirations to open a farm stop in their own communities, food system academics, policy makers at the local, state, regional, and national levels, and those simply interested in learning more about the farm stop model.
The map below shows the geographical diversity of our attendees.
Who is speaking? What are they speaking about?
We have more than 35 speakers from a broad range of backgrounds and organizations.
USDA Under Secretary Jennifer Lester Moffitt and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will bring a national perspective to local food systems.
Speakers from Fair Food Network, Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Great Lakes and Appalachia Regional Food Business Centers, Michigan State’s Center for Regional Food Systems, and others will speak to regional local food initiatives and funding opportunities.
Several academic experts will present their research on local food systems and how farm stops can impact their communities.
Speakers from Argus Farm Stop, Bloomington Farm Stop Collective, FARMacy Community Farmstop, Lakeshore Depot, and Local Roots will speak to their histories and evolutions, food justice work, operational specifics, and more.
A panel of farmers will share their experiences working with a consignment model farm stop and discuss how they have grown and evolved as a result of that partnership.
More information is available on the Speakers and Schedule pages of this site.
Will there be local food?
Absolutely. From breakfast to dinner, we’ll be enjoying some of the best that our local farms and producers here in southeast Michigan have to offer. A light coffee and pastry breakfast will be provided Saturday and Sunday mornings. Lunch will be provided on site each day as well and will include structured networking opportunities.
A pre-conference reception will be hosted at Argus Farm Stop on Friday that will include light refreshments. A farm to table dinner will be hosted at Zingerman’s Roadhouse Saturday evening. The registration for these events is full.
Where do I park?
When possible, please consider carpooling to all of the conference events.
For the Friday evening reception at Argus Packard Cafe (1200 Packard Street) free street parking is available in the following locations:
In front of the stores on Packard (please be mindful of the bike lanes)
Any of the streets behind the stores to the west and south: Dewey, Woodlawn, Sheehan, Granger, and others
The dentist parking lot across the street (few spots available)
Some spots are available at Eberbach Cultural Arts Center (1220 S. Forest Avenue), which is about a block away. Please do not park in the spots designated with cones.
For the conference events at Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Road)
Be sure to navigate to Matthaei Botanical Gardens on Dixboro Road, not Nichols Arboretum on Washington Heights
Park in any available space and make a note of your parking space number
Do not pay at the parking kiosks
Share your parking spot number with the staff at registration and your parking will be covered. No need to pay!
For the farm to table dinner at Zingerman’s Roadhouse (2501 Jackson Avenue):
Be sure to navigate to Zingerman’s Roadhouse on Jackson Avenue, not any of the other Zingerman’s businesses in town
There is ample parking available
There are several hotels and apartment rentals within a two mile radius of the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens, where a majority of the conference will be taking place. For more information on lodging in and around Ann Arbor please visit Destination Ann Arbor.
What’s the lodging situation?
I want to come but I’m not registered!
The response to the first Farm Stop Conference has been very enthusiastic and the registration for all of the weekend’s events is full. You can get on the waitlist for the conference on the registration page. If a spot opens up, eventbrite will notify you and you will have 24 hours to sign up before the next person on the waitlist is notified.
If you would like help with the waitlist process, please email farmstopconference@gmail.com.
I have a media inquiry.
The press release can be viewed here.
Any media inquiries can be sent to Bill Brinkerhoff at info@argusfarmstop.com
Who can answer my questions?
Please email farmstopconference@gmail.com with any questions you may have.