Community Food Systems Annual Event

The Community Food Systems Program began hosting the Community Food Systems (CFS) Annual Event in 2015. This daylong conference lifts up best practices around the nation within all areas of community food systems. Come learn, engage, and discuss ways to promote community engagement, collective action, and food systems projects including edible landscapes, food hubs, shared-use kitchens, and more.

This gathering is meant to build up our partners and promote collaboration, sharing and networking for creative and collaborative projects.

Registration flyer.

2023 Community Food Systems + Farm to School and Early Care Conference

Conference Agenda

Printable Version

  • Thursday, June 15 (9:00am - 4:00pm)
    • Community Food Systems
    • Waukee High School
      555 se University Ave,
      Waukke, IA 50263
  • Friday, June 16 (10:00am - 8:00pm)
    • Farm Tours, Site Visits + Local Foods Reception
    • Des Moines + Grade A Gardens
      34802 I Ave
      Earlham, IA 50072
  • Saturday June 17 (9:00am - 4:00pm)
    • Farm to School & Early Care
    • Waukee High School
      555 se University Ave,
      Waukke, IA 50263

Register Now through June 1st

Registration & Fees

Register for the full, three-day conference or create your own conference itinerary! See below for registration options and pricing.

Register Here Registration Flyer

Fees:

  • Full Conference (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) $200
  • Community Food Systems (Thursday) $75
  • Farm Tours, Field Trips, and Local Food Reception (Friday) $100
  • Local Foods Reception (Friday - Evening Only) $30
  • Farm to School and Early Care (Saturday) $75

Registration for Friday will be capped at 60 individuals for the field trips and farm tours. There is no cap for the Local Foods Reception.

We want the conference to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. Scholarship opportunities will be available. If you need assistance with the registration process or have additional requests, questions, or concerns, please reach out to Bre Miller at millerb@iastate.edu

Hotel Information

Reserve by May 23 for group rates. See below for details.

Room blocks have been reserved at two hotels in the Waukee/West Des Moines Area adjacent to the conference location. Please see below for details on hotels, fees, and registration links.

Sleep Inn & Suites Waukee-West Des Moines

Reservations: go.iastate.edu/EUKFM9

Room block rate: $174.00/night

Last day to book: Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Address: 2885 Grand Prairie Parkway, Building A, Waukee, IA 50263

Distance from conference location: approx. 5 minutes by car or 2 miles

Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines West

Reservations: go.iastate.edu/RSF1BE

Room block rate: $159.00/night

Last day to book: Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Address: 7225 Vista Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Distance from conference location: approx. 10 minutes by car or 4 miles (by car)

Vendor Opportunities

Available April 1 – June 1 at: bit.ly/cfs-f2ec-REGISTER

Register as a vendor to promote your organization or business by hosting a booth at the conference! Vendor tables and displays will be stationed in the commons area during the conference on Thursday, June 15 and Saturday, June 17. See below for vendor options and benefits.

One-Day Vendor: $125.00

Select either Thursday, June 15 (Community Food Systems) or Saturday, June 17 (Farm to School and Early Care). Includes registration for one individual on selected day.

Two-Day Vendor: $250.00

Host a vendor booth during both Thursday, June 15 (Community Food Systems) and Saturday, June 17 (Farm to School and Early Care). Includes registration for one individual each day.