Building strategic alliances in our food supply chains to support farmers, communities, and the land.

Monday, July 27, 2026

6:30 p.m.
The Octagon Barn
E4350 Horseshoe Rd, Spring Green, WI 53588

Sarah Lloyd, with support from Jules Reynolds, will provide a brief overview of opportunities and challenges in the ag and food sector today. This will be followed by a panel discussion with local stories of people working to make change for the benefit of farmers, communities, and eaters. 

Sarah will explore how the modern U.S. food supply chain has evolved to favor consolidation and large commodity producers, and what that means for farmers, communities, and regional food systems. While direct-to-consumer markets like farmers’ markets and CSAs are an important part of the solution, they remain a small part of the overall food economy. Lloyd will discuss opportunities for “Agriculture of the Middle,” which focuses on rebuilding markets for small and mid-scale farms through strategic alliances among farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers. The talk will highlight how individuals, institutions, and communities can help support collaborative supply chains that strengthen regional agriculture beyond the direct-to-consumer model.

Jules Reynolds, University of Michigan, will facilitate a panel discussion:

• Pam Saunders from Hazel Heart Farm/American Hazelnut Company will talk about the hazelnut scaling story, a collaborative grower effort building production, aggregation, processing, and marketing for this nutritionally dense, regenerative Midwest nut crop, which has the potential to significantly benefit the water, soil, and farmers of this region.

• Steven Shoemaker, farmer at Steadfast Acres, a member of the Savor the River Valley, will share about what it means for small-scale farmers and businesses to come together to boost their region.

Stay for some sweets and cool drinks after the lecture and Q&A - made from local ingredients!