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| May 8, 2025 | 1:00 - 6:30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 408 Washington Ave | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Plains, MO | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 65775 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Join us in celebrating and strengthening local agriculture at EPIC: Farm to Fork in the Ozarks! This dynamic event brings together farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs to connect with valuable resources, spark business collaboration, and showcase the success stories of the Ozarks. EPIC will feature a keynote address by Karin, who will present forward-thinking strategies for diversifying farm income. In today’s shifting market, relying on a single revenue stream can be risky. Karin will explore how farmers and rural entrepreneurs can leverage their skills and assets to create multiple income opportunities—from value-added products to agrotourism. The event will also include a lively roundtable discussion with agricultural entrepreneurs and an exciting pitch competition for four aspiring entrepreneurs. Cost: $20The Schedule:
Keynote Speaker: Karin Velez"Cultivating Success: Income Diversification for Rural Entrepreneurs and Small Farms"Diversifying your income streams can safeguard your farm against the unpredictable ups and downs of local produce and meat markets. Volatility in demand, pricing, and external factors like weather or widespread retail shutdowns can threaten your financial stability. In this presentation, Karin will share practical, innovative ways to leverage your existing skills and assets—such as value-added products, educational services, agrotourism, alternative sales outlets, and more—to create multiple revenue streams. Walk away with actionable strategies to boost your farm's resilience and long-term success. Meet the Speakers:Karin Velez, Just Grow Something Owner
Emily Reavis, WPH Ranch Co-owner/Manager |
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Silver Sponsors:
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Bronze Sponsors:
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Keynote Sponsored by Howell County Commision
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Karin Velez is a lifelong entrepreneur and retired U.S. Marine with a passion for building small businesses. With experience owning and operating multiple businesses throughout her life, which currently include a market farm, a garden consulting business, and an award-winning podcast, she understands firsthand what it takes to market a brand, connect with customers, and grow a business with confidence. Karin has spent years breaking down complex topics into practical, actionable strategies that can be applied immediately by her students and clients. She uses these same skills to help fellow small business owners navigate the fundamentals of running a business around their passion and create a financial safety net through diversifying their income streams. Karin brings a relatable, experience-driven approach to helping rural entrepreneurs succeed in their businesses.
Becky is a dedicated wife, mother of 14, and grandmother to 7 whose life is woven with deep commitments to family, community, and sustainable living. As a teacher, farmer, business owner, and farm consultant, she has spent decades sharing her expertise with others. With years of experience as a public speaker and consultant, Becky brings a unique perspective on the challenges faced by small-scale dairy farmers and the need for regulatory reform to support customer choice. Her farm has grown from a family endeavor into a community resource, stands as Missouri's first Raw Milk Institute-listed dairy, symbolizing her commitment to clean, safe,a DNA accessible raw milk for all. In addition to her work in agriculture, Becky is a talented baker, devoted humanitarian, and lover of nature. She believes in the power of grassroots action and community solidarity, values that are reflected in her advocacy and efforts. Through workshops, public speaking, and her writing, she continues to empower others to reconnect with food traditions and support local farming. Becky's journey is one of resilience, rooted in her passion for fostering a healthy, transparent food system that nourishes both people and the land. 
Sandy is a pastured pork rancher dedicated to regenerative farming at Jones Hill Ranch in Drury, MO. Born and raised in Germany, Sandy spent her early career as an IT consultant while running her own martial arts school, teaching Bujinkan. While living in the city, she sought local farmers she could trust and support, but struggled to find those who transparently shared their practices and stories. Now, Sandy strives to be that farmer for urban communities. In 2023, she and her husband, Eric, relocated to their 300-acre ranch in Southern Missouri, serving communities from Kansas City to St. Louis with pasture-raised pork, eggs, handmade lard soap, and healthy dog treats. Using rotational grazing on silvo-pastures, Sandy ensures her animals thrive naturally while caring for the land. Her heritage pigs enjoy lush grasses and native tree shade, living as nature intended. Passionate about producing healthy, high-quality meat, Sandy is living her dream of fostering local food security and sustainability through ethical farming.
Miriam and her husband Bernie co-own Rustic Waters Homestead, where they focus on raising pasture-raised poultry, farm-raised pork, seasonal vegetables, and crafting gluten-free baked goods, along with their signature Pique Hot Sauce. After relocating from Florida to Missouri, they’ve created a farm that’s committed to providing quality, locally sourced food to their community. Miriam is passionate about helping people grow their own food, supporting local products, and making sure their community has access to wholesome, sustainable food. Whether it’s working on the farm or sharing homesteading tips, Miriam’s goal is to inspire others to connect with where their food comes from.
Patty Cantrell is the founding director of New Growth, a rural community development corporation based in west central Missouri. She currently works with the Heartland Regional Food Business Center as New Growth’s Food System Network Builder. New Growth co-directs the 5-state Heartland Center (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma). The Heartland Center is a team of 32 business support organizations dedicated to building the local and regional food economy. It is one of 12 regional food business centers across the country supported by the USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service. Patty brings to this work a deep background in local food business programming, communications, and community organizing. .png)