Agency hosting food summit at CCC

Market gardeners and commercial producers will have an opportunity to learn new ideas and make connections at the upcoming Eastern New Mexico Local Food Summit in Clovis May 22.

According to a news release from Berlin Arellano of Ogallala Commons, sponsoring agency, the event will be at Clovis Community College’s main building, Room 101, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Arellano describes Ogallala Commons as a nonprofit education and leadership organization.

Ogallala will be conducting the summit in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center and other civic organizations in Curry and Roosevelt counties.

“Our summit will offer attendees a journey of discovery and connection. The sessions will energize a vibrant community of food producers and crafters in Curry and Roosevelt counties and beyond,” Arellano wrote.

She went on to describe the event as “a gateway to a growing season of success, offering a treasure trove of information, innovative ideas, and boundless inspiration.”

The event begins with doors open for registration and refreshments at 8 a.m.

Arellano will open with a talk at 8:30 a.m. on building a food hub for Eastern New Mexico.

There will be morning field tours departing at 9 a.m. for MTA Farms, operated by Mark and Tomie Anthony, of Clovis, and the Veggie Shack, operated by Margie Plummer of Portales.

At 11:30 a.m. Rod Mason and Jonna Stanger of Heavy Meadow Farms, Logan, will speak on “Getting Started in Local Food Production.”

Veronica Griego, WIC NM Department of Health, Las Vegas, will give a talk on “Connecting Fresh Food to Health.”

Tanya Matson, WIC NM Department of Health Program Director, Sante Fe, will speak on “New Mexico Senior WIC Boxes.”

Attendees will be served a catered lunch at 12:30 p.m.

Arellano reports sessions resume at 1:30 p.m. with “Caring for the Soil, Feeding the Community,” a talk by Andrew Swapp, of Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari.

Spencer Pipkin of the Ogallala Land and Water Conservancy will give a talk on “The Groundwater Roundtable.”

Attendees will also hear from Toby and Kimberly Bostwick who operate Barnhouse Farms and Elevated Eggs, Melrose, are tentatively scheduled to speak on “New Ways to Market Local Meat” at 2:45.

Arellano reports Dominique Chairez, of the SBDC, Clovis, will discuss “Financial Tools for Sustaining Your Business” at 3:10 p.m.

She wrote that the registration fee for the summit is $30. Payment by check should be made to Ogallala Commons and mailed to: P.O. Box 346, Nazareth, TX 79063 by Friday.

Registration at the door will be $35 per person.

More information is available by contacting Arellano at (505)795-9848 or [email protected].