Thursday, Oct. 26, 9:45 - 11:15 am Morning Plenary: Business Succession in the Food System
With the overall economic growth in our food economy over the last decade, more food businesses beyond farms have emerged as significant economic drivers in the state, and with their growth have come questions and concerns about who will own and operate these businesses into the future. In this plenary we will examine different perspectives, from farms to value-added food businesses, on why businesses sell, why ownership matters, the thought process owners face when deciding between different succession and ownership options, and why it's never too early to talk about succession.
Speakers: Allison Hooper – Former owner of Vermont Creamery | Lisa Lorimer - Former owner of Vermont Bread Company | Charles Storey - Harpoon Brewery | Ryan Christiansen - Caledonia Spirits | Ben Whitcomb - North Williston Cattle Company | Janice St. Onge - Flexible Capital Fund
Emcee: Anson Tebbetts - Secretary, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2:05 - 3:35 pm Afternoon Plenary: Addressing Workforce Development in the Food System
Many food system businesses report they have trouble finding work-ready employees, and that this lack of labor is stifling their ability to grow. Businesses report that entry level skills such as timeliness, accountability, work ethic, and basic writing and math skills are hard to come by. Yet, whether perception or reality, food system jobs are also seen as low-wage and low-benefit jobs with little room for career advancement, and as a result, have trouble attracting talent. This plenary will explore these questions, and provide insight on how to address these challenges.
Speakers: Tristan Toleno - Vermont House of Representatives, State Workforce Development Board, Entera Catering and Rigani Catered Wood-Fired Pizza | Maureen Hebert – Vermont Tech | Randy George - Red Hen Baking Co. | Jed Davis - The Farmhouse Group | Beth Whiting - Maple Wind Farm
Emcee: Dan Smith - President, Vermont Community Foundation
Friday, Oct. 27, Noon – 1 pm Lunch Keynote: Building the Past, Planning for the Future: The Family Story of Vermont Creamery and Ayers Brook Goat Dairy
Allison and Miles Hooper tell the story of their family’s decision to sell Vermont Creamery but keep the Farm, and what’s next for their family.
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