Nominations Needed for 2027 Farm to Fork Champion
The Farm to Fork Champion Recognition honors individuals and/or organizations who are strengthening local food systems by building meaningful connections between farms, food, and community. Farm to Fork Champions help increase access to local food, support farmers and food businesses, and/or create positive community outcomes through collaboration, leadership, and action.
This recognition celebrates people and partners who dedicate their time and energy to building a better food system for all.
Purpose of the Award
The purpose of the Farm to Fork Champion Recognition is to:
- Celebrate leadership and commitment to local and regional food systems,
- Highlight individuals and organizations making local food more accessible and sustainable,
- Encourage collaboration between farmers, institutions, and community partners,
- Uplift stories that inspire others to participate in and strengthen farm-to-fork efforts.
Who Is a Farm to Fork Champion?
If you’re wondering what a Farm to Fork Champion looks like, our first recipient offers one example.
When the Farm to Fork Champion recognition was introduced in 2026, the Farm to Fork planning committee selected Kyle Vickers, a Vernon County farmer whose decades of work have included advocating for family farms, advancing sustainable agriculture, helping organize the Missouri Farmers Union, sharing farmer-driven ideas through public television, and putting many of those ideas into practice on his own farm.
Kyle was selected not for one accomplishment, but for a long record of strengthening agriculture through leadership, relationships, advocacy, and action. Read Kyle Vickers' story and why he was selected as the first Farm to Fork Champion.
His story is also a reminder that there is no single way to be a Farm to Fork Champion. Champions may be farmers, educators, business owners, organizations, community leaders, food buyers, advocates, or others whose work creates stronger connections between farms, food, and communities.
Now, we’re asking you to help us find the next one.
Eligibility
Nominees should be able to show impact within the West Central Region of Missouri. Nominees may include individuals or organizations such as (but not limited to):
- Farmers and producers
- School districts, school nutrition teams, and educators
- Restaurants, chefs, or retail food businesses
- Food hubs, distributors, and supply chain partners
- Nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and advocates
- Institutions purchasing/serving local food (hospitals, colleges, senior centers, etc.)
What It Means to Be a “Farm to Fork Champion”
A Farm to Fork Champion is someone who takes tangible steps to strengthen local food systems. Champions build relationships, solve problems, and improve outcomes for farmers and communities. This type of impact can be created through many avenues such as story-telling, art, businesses assistance, building new markets, education, and more. This recognition is designed to honor both behind-the-scenes leaders and public-facing champions whose work advances local food systems.
Award Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated using the criteria below. Strong nominations include clear examples and measurable outcomes whenever possible.
Local Food Impact (Farm-to-Fork Results): Nominee demonstrates meaningful contribution to strengthening local food connections in one or more of the following areas:
- Increasing local food purchasing or sourcing;
- Expanding market access for farmers and food producers;
- Championing sustainable agriculture adoption;
- Increasing youth participation in agriculture;
- Creating media (art, written, radio) to uplift agriculture;
- Creating learning opportunities for students, families, or community members;
- Sharing resources, information, or training that helps others participate;
- Supporting diverse farmers, food entrepreneurs, and small businesses;
- Mentoring peers or sharing knowledge;
- Building long-term partnerships and trust;
- Demonstrating leadership with integrity and follow-through
- Championed policy efforts that benefit the local food system
Recognition Details
The Farm to Fork Champion will be recognized at the annual Farm to Fork Summit with a locally crafted wooden plaque with recipients name and a featured story in the New Growth newsletter
Nomination Process
Nomination period: Opens 11/1/26; Closes 12/15/26
How to nominate: Fill out the following form:
Who may nominate: Anyone including self-nomination
Nomination form: https://forms.gle/ocKD5AbSse3KpHEd8
Nominations should include:
- Nominee name and organization (if applicable)
- Nominees contact information (if available)
- Nominator name and contact information
- A nomination statement (recommended length: About 500 words)
- Explain how this person has made a positive change in the Food System.
- Provide any known outcomes from their work and activities
- Please be as specific as possible explaining which part of the food systems they work(ed) in and what they do or did.
- Optional: photos, links, letters of support, or other supporting documentation
Selection Process
Nominations will be reviewed by the Farm to Fork planning committee. The selection process will consider the award criteria above, with attention to overall impact, meaningful collaboration, and alignment with farm-to-fork goals of this award.
Our 2027 Farm to Fork Champion will be announced at the 9th annual Farm to Fork on March 5th 2027 in Nevada, Missouri. Registration for the Farm to Fork Summit opens fall 2026: https://www.newgrowthmo.org/farmtofork