With a challenging economy, farmers are looking at ways to diversify their operations. “I’ve gotten three calls in the last two weeks from what we would consider larger or traditional commodity crop farmers,” said Holly Rose Mawby, who leads the North Dakota Farmers Markets and Growers Association. “They are looking to diversify and add more value to what they’re doing; we’re seeing more openness about diversification and entering the local foods market.” The North Dakota Farmers Markets and Growers Association and North Dakota Department of Agriculture are hosting the annual Local Foods Conference this past weekend in Mandan.
