Farm Tank Conference

The event will feature interactive panels moderated by top food journalists, networking, and delicious food, followed by a day of hands-on activities and opportunities for attendees. This is the third in a series of four two-day Summits in 2016 which will bring together some the world’s most impactful food system leaders. Earlier this year, the Washington, D.C. Food Tank Summit completely sold out and drew in more than 30,100 livestream viewers. 

Confirmed speakers include:

•  Thaddeus Barsotti, Co-Owner, Farm Fresh to You 

• Shelia Bowman, Seafood Watch Manager of Culinary & Strategic Initiatives, Monterey Bay Aquarium

• Tom Chan, CEO, General Produce

• Hsiao-Ching Chou, Food Journalist, Cookbook Author, and Director of Communications at Institute for Systems Biology

• Matthew Dillon, Director of Agricultural Policy and Programs, Clif Bar & Company

• Michael Dimock, President, Roots of Change

• Robert Egger, Founder and President, L.A. Kitchen

• Hannah Freeman, Senior Director of Produce and Floral, Fair Trade USA

• Twilight Greenaway, Managing Editor, Civil Eats

• Nicolette Hahn Niman, Rancher, Lawyer, and Author

• Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, Senior Scientist, PANNA

• Eric Holt-Giménez, Executive Director, Food First

• Saru Jayaraman, Co-Director and Co-Founder, ROC United

• Nick Kastle, Director of Marketing and Business Development & Business Unit General Manager, The Morning Star Company

• Mary Kimball, Executive Director, Center for Land-Based Learning

• Keith Knopf, COO, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores

• Andrea Lepore, Founder, Hot Italian

• Roz Naylor, Director, Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University

• Nikiko Masumoto, Farmer, Masumoto Family Farm

• Nick Papadopoulos, CEO and Co-Founder, CropMobster

• Michael Passmore, President, Passmore Ranch

• Thomas Reynolds, Vice President of Program, Partnerships, and Learning, CARE International

• Beth Ruyak, Reporter, National Public Radio (NPR)

• Zachary Scott Dashner, Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition Foundation

• Jesse Solomon, Founder and CEO, Emmer & Co.

• Oscar Villegas, Supervisor (District 1), Yolo County Board of Supervisors

• Matt Wadiak, Founder and COO, Blue Apron

• Richard Waycott, President and CEO, California Almond Board

• Blake Young, President and CEO, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

• Gabe Youtsey, CIO, The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The first day will include researchers, farmers, chefs, policy makers, government officials, and students who will come together for interactive panels on topics that include food transparency, food tech, sustainable protein, infrastructure, and food business, among other topics. The entire first day will be live streamed on www.FoodTank.com.

The second day will give participants an exclusive and behind-the-scenes experience where they will be immersed in all that California agriculture has to offer. These custom-designed tracks will cater to all food and agriculture professionals and enthusiasts. From getting your hands dirty at West Sac urban farms to experiencing the most innovative tech solutions in the area, these experiences are like nothing ever offered before. 

Not only will participants be able to soak up the expertise of top level speakers, they’ll also be able to network with each other, and share locally sourced meals.

Ticket Information and Details:

Farm Tank General Admission:

$249 Rate includes:

• Delicious, locally-sourced meals throughout the conference, including the Farm-to-Fork reception dinner at the historic Memorial Auditorium 
• Two full days of ‘Farm Tank’ programming: 
  • Day 1: Diverse panel discussions on key, worldwide topics; evening farm-to-fork reception dinner 
  • Day 2: Regional off-site excursions to area farms, ranches, food banks, eateries and more 

Farm Tank General Admission with overnight accommodations: 

$575 Rate includes:

• Two nights of (Wednesday 9/21 and Thursday 9/22) accommodation at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento (AAA rated four diamond hotel) 
• Delicious, locally-sourced meals throughout the conference, including the Farm-to-Fork reception dinner at the historic Memorial Auditorium 
• Two full days of ‘Farm Tank’ programming: 
  • Day 1: Diverse panel discussions on key, worldwide topics; evening farm-to-fork reception dinner 
  • Day 2: Regional off-site excursions to area farms, ranches, food banks, eateries and more. 

Extra nights at the hotel are offered at a rate of $185 (plus 15% tax/assessment, based on availability.) To make hotel reservations, visit: https://aws.passkey.com/event/15316351/owner/2084/home

Day Two (Friday, September 23) Track Options

Ag and Environmental Conservation

This track will highlight farms and businesses that are developing smart solutions to the conservation challenges we all face. Tour stops will illustrate:

• How California agriculture can work in concert with environmental conservation efforts
• Best practices, opportunities for farmer/land owners
• Conservationism’s impacts on the land, the people and economy

Youth Engagement

This track will showcase education programs and non-profits that are helping to shape children’s attitudes around healthy food and to create career pathways in food and agriculture. Tour stops will illustrate:

• How organizations have successfully inspired kids to get engaged in their local food systems
• Effective methods to teach kids about their health, empower them in their choices – and to love vegetables
• Viable and current career opportunities for young people in the food and agricultural industries

Urban Farms

This track will explore working urban farms, their origins and business models. Tour stops will highlight:

• Urban Farms created as a part of City planning
• Farms created to provide resources for refugees, food banks and beginning farmer training programs
• The impact of these “grassroots” farms on their surrounding communities

Hubs and Innovation

This track will center on what goes into establishing a food hub and other innovative solutions to food-related challenges. Tour stops will highlight:

• Successes and challenges around the Sacramento region’s path to a food hub
• The role of food hubs in serving the food insecure
• How to create opportunities to better connect those growing food with the demand of the consumer/business/institution – and to those most desperately in need

Farmer for a Day

This track will put attendees directly in the fields with the men and women who are feeding the country. Tour stops will highlight:

• An interactive (read: hands dirty!) introduction to day-to-day operations on both a small-scale and larger production farm
• The scope, similarities and challenges faced by farms of both sizes

Sponsors include: Almond Board of California, Annie’s Inc., Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition, Blue Apron, Clif Bar & Company, Driscoll’s, Fair Trade USA, Farmer’s Fridge, Food and Environment Reporting Network, Inter Press Service (IPS), Niman Ranch, Organic Valley, Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the University of California – Davis.