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Two announced keynotes connect soil biology with nutrition, public health and farming practice at the Spokane Conservation District’s three-day, in-person Inland Northwest gathering.
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
One keynote follows soil outward—from the way food is grown to nutrition and community health—while the other begins beneath the crop, with soil biology and the soil food web. Those perspectives anchor the Farm & Food Symposium, scheduled for Nov. 16–18 at Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center in Spokane Valley.
Mary Purdy, MS, RDN, is a food-systems strategist, educator and eco-dietitian. Her keynote, “How Healthy Soil Creates Healthy Communities,” draws on nutrition, agriculture and public health to consider how food-growing practices relate to the well-being of people and communities. It offers an entry point for attendees interested in how farm decisions connect with what reaches the table.
Matt Powers, an author, educator and soil-health advocate, takes a closer look at the ecosystem below ground in “The Living Soil Beneath Our Feet.” His announced subject includes the soil food web and practical strategies for healthier soil, stronger crops and more resilient farming systems.
Together, the talks link the biology of soil with the broader consequences of food production. One emphasizes the connections between soil, nutrition and public health; the other centers on soil life and approaches to building soil health.
The Spokane Conservation District describes an Inland Northwest audience that includes producers and ranchers, researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, conservation leaders, food-system partners and community members. That breadth reflects the symposium’s premise that agriculture, food, health and resilient communities are connected concerns.
The organizer describes practical and hands-on learning, collaborative discussion, networking and regional partnership-building. The two keynotes are the specific program choices announced in the supplied material; other workshops or activities are not named. Readers looking for a particular session should therefore check for an updated agenda before planning around one.
Further reading: Farm & Food Symposium – NCAT ↗ · Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗ · 2026 Farm and Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗
Mary Purdy and Matt Powers are named as keynote speakers, but neither talk has a published day or time. These announcements do not constitute a full day-by-day agenda.
The in-person symposium runs November 16–18, 2026, at Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center, 1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99037.
Farm & Food Symposium – NCAT ↗ · Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗
The Spokane Conservation District lists registration and a separate option to apply for a scholarship. The published information does not specify scholarship eligibility, an application deadline or award details.
Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗ · 2026 Farm and Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗
The event information does not state a ticket price, what registration includes, or cancellation and refund terms. Confirm those details with the organizer before registering.
Farm & Food Symposium – NCAT ↗ · Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗ · 2026 Farm and Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗
The organizer confirms the three dates but does not publish daily opening or closing hours, a day-by-day agenda, or the day and time of either keynote. NCAT’s event listing shows 4:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. PST without explaining what that range means; it should not be treated as the daily schedule.
Farm & Food Symposium – NCAT ↗ · Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗
The organizer lists a Farm & Food group rate of $124 per night and one nightly voucher per room, redeemable for either an appetizer or a house beverage. The listed cutoff is “Monday, November 3,” but November 3, 2026, falls on a Tuesday. Confirm the deadline and whether the rate is still available with the hotel before booking.
The organizer lists round-trip airport service for $60 per room and says reservations must be made at least one week in advance.
The event is at 1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99037. Use the map links to calculate directions from your starting point. The event information does not specify parking, public transit or access accommodations; check with the organizer or hotel if those details affect your plans.
Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗ · Farm & Food Symposium – NCAT ↗ · Reservations - Mirabeau Park Hotel ↗
The organizer lists round-trip airport service at $60 per room, with reservations required at least one week ahead. Confirm arrangements with the organizer before relying on this option.
No. The organizer has not assigned either keynote a day or time. NCAT’s displayed 4:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. range is unexplained and does not confirm daily hours.
Farm & Food Symposium – NCAT ↗ · Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗
Yes. The organizer lists an application option, but does not state eligibility, a deadline or award details.
The organizer lists round-trip service at $60 per room and requires reservations at least one week in advance.
No ticket price or registration inclusions are stated in the event information. Confirm admission terms with the organizer before registering.
Farm & Food Symposium – NCAT ↗ · Farm & Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗ · 2026 Farm and Food Symposium – Spokane Conservation DistrictfacebookinstagramyoutubefacebookinstagramyoutubeAmerican ExpressApple PayDiscoverMastercardShop PayVisa ↗
1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99037
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-02 against the linked sources.