GROW YOUR OWN

Greetings!

Central Wyoming College’s mission and vision includes strengthening communities, serving as a community leader, collaborating with partners, and promoting economic development. With that in mind, we are pleased to invite you to be part of a new food publication and year-long campaign. The magazine will showcase restaurants and retailers in Fremont County who proudly serve Wyoming foods.

The local food guide magazine will connect both locals and travelers with the places they can purchase and enjoy local foods – including yours. CWC is partnering with WyoToday. CWC will not receive revenue but representatives will be in touch with you about the publication to discuss free press and for-charge sponsorship opportunities. Our work is to promote business and promote economic development.

Central Wyoming College’s goal is to grow agrotourism and the local food and agricultural economy overall. Given that the biggest component of Wyoming’s very large tourism industry is food bought at restaurants and stores, local food has the potential to transform our communities and economies. In 2022, according to a report done for the Wyoming Office of Tourism, tourists spent $938 million on food services and $265 million at food stores, for a total of $1.2 billion on food. This is more than the $1.13 billion spent on accommodations.

So when we talk about capturing tourism dollars, we must push local food. From CWC’s local food market analysis, EatWyoming.com and farmers markets sales are skyrocketing. EatWyoming.com retail sales grew 1206% in 2022 and 2023 over the previous two years (2020-21). Given that about a quarter of that is Fremont County’s share, we are well positioned for more growth.

Central Wyoming College is focused on the local food economy through our Meat Sciences Program, Farm Incubator, Regenerative Farming, and our Grow Your Own: Food, Jobs and Community initiative. You are a valued partner in this initiative to buy local food.

On another note, please consider attending the Wyoming Food Coalition Summit that will be held at Central Wyoming College, Thursday, February 1 through Saturday, February 3. On Friday, February 2, at 5 p.m. there will be a Buyer-Grower meeting at Bunk’s BBQ in Riverton. You are invited to join us for this networking session over dinner with purveyors of Wyoming foods. Dinner tickets will be available soon. Please email Melissa Hemken at mhemken@tnksgod.com if you’re interested in attending. The complete conference schedule is linked here. There is a great lineup of people including First Lady Jennie Gordan and the opportunity to meet lots of local food producers.

Together we can transform our local food and ag economy, help our neighbors, and make Fremont County an even better place to live and shop. Jennifer Marshall Weydeveld, Central Wyoming College, Director of Marketing (jennifer@tnksgod.com) is available to answer any questions you have. Please feel free to forward this information to any interested parties as this distribution list may not be comprehensive despite our best efforts.

Brad

Dr. Brad Tyndall. President

Central Wyoming College