As demand for locally produced meat rises, farmers, butchers and meat industry experts are invited to attend the second annual Midwest Meat Summit, June 17-18, 2026, in Ankeny, Iowa.

Hosted by Practical Farmers of Iowa in collaboration with the National Meat Summit Steering Committee, the two-day event brings together every part of the meat supply chain to share knowledge, build connections and explore opportunities in a growing market.

Midwest Meat Summit. Courtesy of the Practical Farmers of Iowa

The summit will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny and will include a farm and processing tour, a local foods dinner, breakout sessions and an exhibit hall.

“The Midwest Meat Summit really came from conversations with farmers and processors who were looking for a space to connect and learn alongside each other,” said Amos Johnson, PFI’s senior livestock education coordinator.

“A lot of our work focuses on raising livestock, but this event is really about what comes next: the marketing, business decisions and logistics it takes to get meat from the farm to the plate.” 

Day one will feature visits to central Iowa farms and a meat processing facility, including stops at Carney Family Farm in Maxwell, Cory Family Farm in Elkhart and Story City Locker in Story City, followed by a local foods dinner at Griffieon Family Farm in Ankeny.

Day two will feature educational sessions and networking opportunities covering topics such as business management, processing, workforce development and emerging market opportunities.

Registration is $90 for members and $140 for nonmembers.

The National Meat Summit Steering Committee work is supported by Farm Credit Services of America.

Source: Practical Farmers of Iowa