Small-scale farmers, local food producers, and fans of their products will gather in McKinney from October 14 through 16 for the 12th annual Farm & Food Leadership Conference on the state of the local food movement.

It provides a networking opportunity for those that care about where their food comes from and offers a chance to hear from national experts on how to solve issues related to how our food is grown and distributed.

Each year, the Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance and its sister organization, the Council for Healthy Food Systems, host speakers on issues that are pertinent not only to farmers, but to local food businesses, home gardeners and consumers interested in nutritional foods.

Registration for pre-conference workshops begins at $15, with regular two-day conference rates at $95 if purchased before Sept. 14, $110 after. Scholarships are available for beginning farmers. Location: 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney. For the full program, registration and more information, visit FarmAndRanchFreedom.org.