From Plate to Soil: Composting at Farm to Fork

At the 8th annual Farm to Fork Summit& Expo on March 6 in Nevada, Mo., we’re taking another meaningful step toward a stronger, more sustainable food system. In 2026, Farm to Fork will compost all food waste from our locally sourced, scratch-cooked lunch for 225 people. It's one step that moves us closer to our long-term goal of becoming a zero-waste event.

This effort is made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Quad Lakes Solid Waste Management District, which serves Bates, Benton, Cedar, Henry, Hickory, and St. Clair counties. District J reinvests a portion of landfill fees back into communities through recycling grants, helping local projects like this one turn good intentions into real action.

In addition to supporting recycling and composting efforts like those at Farm to Fork, the Quad Lakes Solid Waste Management District is currently offering a grant opportunity for communities within its six-county service area—Bates, Benton, Cedar, Henry, Hickory, and St. Clair counties. Eligible projects include creating community green spaces or gardens in downtown areas or schools, as well as launching youth recycling and education programs. Online-only applications are due February 23, 2026. This funding provides a meaningful opportunity for schools, downtown organizations, and community groups to invest in hands-on learning, greener public spaces, and projects that strengthen local communities.

We’re also excited to partner with Kevin Lemcke from Kevin's Compost, who will collect and compost all food waste from the Farm to Fork Summit. Kevin was a speaker at last year’s Farm to Fork and is our local composting expert. His journey began with backyard composting in Denver when no other options were available. Through years of learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience, he went on to provide compost to large community gardens, experiment with worm composting, and eventually start a small compost business tied to his homestead.

Now living in Rich Hill, Missouri, Kevin continues to expand composting access in rural communities. He’s currently helping the town of Rich Hill launch a citywide, bucket-based food waste composting program that serves residents, businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and schools—paired with education and outreach to prevent food waste and build long-term composting capacity.

After Farm to Fork, the finished compost from our event will be donated to a local community garden, completing the cycle from farm, to plate, and back to soil.

This is what Farm to Fork is all about—connecting farmers, food, people, and place, while taking practical steps that strengthen local systems and rural communities.

None of this would be possible without the sponsors and partners who believe in the power of local food, healthy people, and strong rural communities. Because of their support, the Farm to Fork Summit brings together farmers, food entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders for a full day of learning, connection, and practical ideas that turn conversation into action.

At the 2026 Farm to Fork Summit& Expo, sessions will explore topics including:

• Food as Medicine, featuring keynote speaker Erin Martin
• Building resilient farm and food businesses
• Direct-to-consumer and wholesale market strategies
• Soil health, conservation, and regenerative practices
• Community food access and local food systems
• Value-added products and scaling sustainably
• Collaboration across farms, nonprofits, and communities

Each session is designed to be practical, grounded, and relevant—whether you’re farming, feeding your community, supporting food businesses, or shaping local systems.

Tickets are selling fast, and space is limited.

Interested in supporting this work? Sponsorship opportunities are still available for organizations that want to invest in local food and rural communities.

Learn more and get tickets at www.newgrowthmo.org/farmtofork/

Together, we’re growing ideas, connections, and solutions—from farm to fork.

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