Local First Arizona Brings 2026 Good Food Forum to Prescott, Spotlighting Northern Arizona’s Role in the State’s Food Future

Local First Arizona will host its 2026 Good Food Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Yavapai College in Prescott, marking the first time since 2016 the annual conference has been held in northern Arizona. The daylong event, themed “Cultivating Tomorrow,” will bring together farmers, ranchers, food entrepreneurs, chefs, winery owners, policymakers, conservation leaders, tribal representatives, educators, students and community members from across the state.

The move recognizes the Prescott, Verde Valley and Central Highlands region as one of Arizona’s most significant agricultural landscapes. The Forum will spotlight the area’s leadership in ranching, viticulture, water stewardship and rural food economies, drawing statewide attention — and visitors — to Yavapai County.

“Prescott was chosen to honor this region’s rich agricultural history and to recognize that it’s leading the way for Arizona in ranching, winemaking and water conservation,” said Kimber Lanning, founder and CEO of Local First Arizona. “We wanted this Forum to be a chance for the rest of the state to learn from the trailblazers already doing this work here.”

Keynote speaker Xochitl Torres Small, former U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture and current executive director of the Quivira Coalition, will address the future of working lands, rural communities and collaborative conservation.

Forum sessions will focus on topics central to northern Arizona’s food and agriculture economy, including:

• The future of Arizona ranching and working lands
• The growth and economic impact of Verde Valley viticulture and Arizona wine
• Water stewardship, conservation and agricultural resilience
• A working session on strengthening the northern Arizona food system

On Monday, Aug. 24, Local First Arizona will host a pre-event networking mixer at Mile High Beer Project in Prescott. The evening will feature local food, networking and food-themed trivia, giving attendees and community members a chance to connect before the Forum begins.

Hundreds of attendees are expected to travel to Prescott for the two-day event, bringing added business to local hotels, restaurants and shops.

WHAT: 2026 Good Food Forum, hosted by Local First Arizona

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 24 (networking mixer) and Tuesday, Aug. 25 (Forum)

WHERE: Mile High Beer Project (mixer) and Yavapai College (Forum), Prescott, Arizona

About Local First Arizona

Local First Arizona is a nonprofit fiercely dedicated to strengthening Arizona’s economy by supporting local, independently owned businesses. Representing thousands of coalition businesses and certified local businesses statewide, Local First Arizona works to build resilient local economies, champion Arizona-made products, and connect communities with the businesses that define them. www.localfirstaz.com