Growing Connections. Strengthening Local Food.

2026 SOLA Food Summit

The 2026 SOLA Food Summit brings together farmers, food producers, buyers, food businesses, nonprofit organizations, educators, government agencies, students, and community leaders to strengthen connections across South Louisiana’s local food system.

The experience begins Sunday, September 13, with a guided farm tour highlighting local agricultural operations across Acadiana. On Monday, September 14, the SOLA Food Summit will take place at the Downtown Convention Center in Lafayette, featuring educational sessions, panel discussions, networking opportunities, buyer-producer connections, and collaborative conversations focused on the future of food and agriculture in South Louisiana.

What to Expect

Farmer & Buyer Connections

Panels & Workshops

Farm Tours

Resource & Partner Connections

Farm Tours - Sunday, September 13

Experience Acadiana agriculture firsthand during a guided tour of three local farms. Participants will meet producers, explore working agricultural operations, and learn about the different approaches farmers are using to build viable businesses and strengthen the region’s food system. Transportation between all farm tour locations is included.

Cajun Prairie Farm

Located in Arnaudville, Cajun Prairie Farm is a family-run operation that combines agricultural production with ecological restoration. The farm incorporates market vegetables, native Cajun prairie habitat, regenerative practices, poultry, and rotational grazing.

Guidry Organic Farms

Located in Sunset, Guidry Organic Farms is a family-owned agricultural business known for USDA-certified organic pecans and a range of value-added products, including pecan butter, pecan oil, pecan meal, glazed pecans, honey, eggs, and beef.

St. Rose Flower Farm

Located in St. Martinville, St. Rose Flower Farm specializes in cut flowers and offers bouquets, DIY flower buckets, and seasonal U-pick experiences. The farm demonstrates how specialty crops, direct-to-consumer sales, and agritourism can contribute to a diversified agricultural business.

Keynote Speaker: Nancy Williams

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Nancy currently serves as the Managing Partner for her family's business, Block 27
Consulting, LLC. Block 27 Consulting meets clients where they are with an intention to solve
problems that lead to greater revenue and profitability, cultivating regenerative collective
wealth.

As the Co-Founder and former President/CEO of No More Empty Pots (NMEP), Nancy led

and managed the grassroots non-profit connecting individuals and groups to improve self-
sufficiency, regional food security, and economic resilience of urban and rural communities

through advocacy and action. No More Empty Pots' vision is to support communities in
becoming self-sufficient and food secure through collaboration and adhering to core values
of education, stewardship, and sustainability. Nancy led the organization from start to a
$3.5MM annual budget and net assets exceeding $5MM in 2023. The resulting economic
impact of NMEP by 2023 was valued at over $100MM within Omaha metro and over
$300MM within the state of Nebraska.

Nancy enjoys leveraging resources, making connections, translating ideas into actions,
engaging in creative work, and strategic planning. A lifelong learner, she has strengths in
learning and arranging, recognizing connectedness while engaging in intellection and
collective strategic action.

With decades of experience in intersectional domains of agriculture, science, technology,
education, business development and food systems, Nancy is eagerly cultivating a love
ethic rooted in dignity and care, filled with joy, wonder, and curiosity. She believes that love
is a regenerative practice leading to equity and justice.