Focus on Farming is made possible with generous sponsorships from local businesses and organizations including the Snohomish Conservation District, King County, Whole Foods,  Washington State Department of Agriculture Specialty Crops, Farm Sevice Agency, Cedar Grove Compost, Northwest Farm Credit Services and BB Ranch.

Don't forget our 

Keynote Speakers!

Chef Ann Cooper

Celebrated author, educator and enduring advocate for better food for all children in public schools, Cooper will be the featured keynote during Focus on Farming's gourmet lunch.

Cooper is a relentless voice of reform by focusing on the links between food, family, farming and children's health and wellness. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Cooper has been a chef for more than 30 years, including positions with Holland America Cruises, Radisson Hotels, Telluride Ski Resort and the renowned Putney Inn in Vermont. She has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, and Time Magazine and has appeared on NPR's "Living on Earth," ABC's Nightline, CNN, PBS' "To The Contrary" and the CBS Morning Show and many other media outlets.

Cooper has shared her knowledge and experience by speaking at the Smithsonian Institute, the National Restaurant Association, the Heifer Foundation, Chefs Collaborative, the International Association of Culinary Professionals and numerous conferences. She has been honored by SLOW Food USA, selected as a Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow, and awarded an honorary doctorate from SUNY Cobleskill for her work on sustainable agriculture. She also is past president of The American Culinary Federation of Central Vermont, and served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards Board. To read more, click here.

Archi's Acres

Archi's Acres™ is a small-scale organic farm in Southern California, established in 2007 by decorated Marine Sgt. Colin Archipley and his wife, Karen. The company utilizes innovative growing techniques to produce the  highest quality, nutritious and great tasting locally grown organic food. Archipley's goal is to augment and accelerate the agricultural revolution across America, in partnership with military veterans by offering combat veterans meaningful training and employment opportunities in the high-growth industry of sustainable crop production. The morning keynote will feature their work with veterans and farming. The Archipleys will also teach an entrepreneur farming session in one of the day's tracks. To learn more about their work, click here.  

Joe Rogoff

Whole Foods Market has a long history of working with local farmers to help create markets for locally grown food. Joe Rogoff, Whole Foods Market Pacific Northwest Regional president, will wrap up the keynotes  with information on the company's Local Producer Loan Program (LPLP), which provides up to $10 million in low-interest loans to small, local producers to make it easier for them to grow their businesses and bring more local products to market. 

Focus on Farming wouldn't be what it is today without its gourmet lunch prepared by local chefs with local products. This year will be no different. The evening also once again ends with a wine-and-cheese tasting offering local fares.

"Quality education to sustain current farmers and attract new farmers to our region is a critical component in securing the next generation's local food supply," said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. "What started out locally has grown to become an opportunity for every farmer who wants to participate."

With an added track this year, participants have a chance to focus on one of seven areas - specialty crops, livestock, nursery/greenhouse, business of farming/marketing, local grains; new/beginning farmers; small equipment - or pick from among all the sessions.

For more information or to register for the conference, click here. 

For questions, contact Linda Neunzig, at 425-388-7170 or linda.neunzig@snoco.org. 

This years trade show is bursting at the seams with great products and services!

Dont Forget to join us at the end of the day for a "Local Taste." Enjoy locally produced wines, spirits, value-added products and much more! Be sure to turn in your conference evaluations to be in the running for one of our many raffle items.