FARM Food Futures Forum: From Rural Health to Food Security – Day 1 of 2

Across Missouri and the Midwest, rural communities are central to the food systems that sustain cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago. Yet many face persistent challenges — healthcare workforce shortages, hospital closures, food insecurity, and rising rates of diet-related chronic disease — affecting both rural well-being and the resilience of the broader food system.

Join WashU Bursky School of Public Health and the Food and Agriculture Research Mission (FARM) for the 2026 FARM Food Futures Forum: From Rural Health to Food Security. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, this two-day convening will examine how agriculture, nutrition, food systems, and rural health intersect to shape population health.

Developed in collaboration with WashU’s Olin Business School, the Center for Diabetes Translation Research, and other partners, the forum will bring together researchers, policymakers, farmers, business leaders, and healthcare professionals to explore practical solutions, build new partnerships, and advance healthier food systems and communities.