Q. Are room and board included in the registration fee?

A. No, the registration fee does not include the cost of room and board. We recommend you make accommodations at the Hilton Omaha Hotel (the hotel). This is where the event will be held and they are offering a discounted group rate of $115/night plus tax. Some meals will be provided throughout the conference and are included in the registration costs.

Q. When is the last day I can reserve my hotel room at the group rate at the Hilton Omaha?

A. Last day to reserve your hotel reservation at the group rate is August 20, 2024. After this date, the hotel will offer rooms based on availability and may not honor this negotiated rate.

Q. What is the hotel's credit/debit card policy?

A. The hotel accepts credit and debit cards with security chips as payment and deposits. Payment cards will be authorized for the full amount of your stay plus an incidental hold at check in.

Q. What time is check-in and does the hotel offer early check-in?

A. The hotel guaranteed check-in time is 3:00 pm but they offer early check-in based on room availability. Check out is 11:00 am.

Q. Is the hotel and venue handicap accessible?

A. Yes, please refer to the hotel website for further accessibility details.

Q. Who should I contact if I have questions about my accessibility needs, with respect to the event, including site visits?

A. please contact [email protected] with any accessibility questions.

Q. Can I cancel my registration?

A. To completely cancel your registration, please contact [email protected] by August 31, 2024. Registrations will be canceled and a refund less a $25 processing fee. Registration cancellation after August 31, 2024 will be forfeited the full registration fee. All registration cancellation requests must be in writing.

Q. What are the closest Omaha attractions to the hotel?

A. Old Market is .7 miles (15 min walk) from the hotel with numerous dining, shopping & entertainment options.

Gene Leavy Mall at the Riverfront is .5 miles from the hotel - a 10 acre park along the downtown and the riverfront with paths, gardens, waterfall, lagoon and amphitheater.

There are also several restaurants and entertainment venues within walking distance to the hotel in other directions.

Q. How many people can attend from one organization?

A. Grantees may send up to two people per grant project to the Farm to School Grantee Gathering. Only one person from your grant team is required to attend. We encourage the person(s) most engaged in the day-to-day activities of the project be selected as this year's attendee. 

Q. Who should attend the Gathering from our team?

A. The person(s) most engaged in the day-to-day activities of the project should be selected as this year's Farm to School Grantee Gathering attendee(s).

Q. I have already budgeted two people to attend, can the additional person still attend?

A.  Yes, up to two people may attend. Please work with your Regional Farm to School Specialist if you have questions.

Q. Where can I find more information on budget changes?

A. Please contact your Regional Farm to School Specialist for more information here.

Q. If we pay out of pocket, can we send another person to attend?

A. The capacity at the event venue is limited. Therefore, up to  two people from each grantee organization should attend. If you have further questions about attendance, please contact your Regional Farm to School Specialist to discuss your specific situation.

Q. How can I access the full list of workshops, presentations and trainings?

A. For further information on workshops, presentations and trainings, please visit the Agenda listed on the registration website.

Q. Who are the presenters?

A. For further information on presenters, please visit the Agenda listed on the event website.

Q. What other resources are available to me?

A.. Farm to School Program Website

Q. Is transportation included in the registration fee?

A. No, transportation is not included in the registration fee. However, round trip transportation IS provided for the site visits.

Q. Is there a shuttle service to and from the airport?

A. YES, the Hilton Omaha offers complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle service. THe shuttle runs to the airport from 4:00 am - 12:00 am at the top and bottom of every hour (Ex. 4:00 am & 4:30 am).

Uber/Lyft rides typically cost around $10-12 each way. The ride by Uber/Lyft/taxi is roughly 5-10 minutes depending on traffic.

Q. Where can I park at the hotel?

A. The hotel offers convenient self parking for $22/night. Please contact the hotel for further information

Q. How much is the registration fee?

A. Please see the registration fee list below

*Grantees, speakers, and exhibitors will pay the regular, late, and/or one day registration. Only USDA FNS Staff will pay the $700 fee.

Q. What does the fee include?

A. The fee includes conference materials and catered breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the conference. Attendees will have free time in the evening to explore Omaha. Evening meals are not included in the registration.

Q. Why are there different fees?

A. Fees differ due to conference attendee type.

Q. How do I register?

A. Please register using the link https://events.espinc-usa.com/farmtoschool2024/

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to your Regional Farm to School Specialist. USDA Farm to School Staff  

Q. When does the late fee take effect?

A. The price of registration for Full Registration will increase to $650 on Aug. 17. For a lower rate, please register by Aug. 16 at 11:59 pm.

Q. When is the deadline to register?

A. The deadline to register for the Grantee Gathering is August 16 for the early bird price and August 23 for the late registration price. If you miss this deadline, please contact [email protected]

Q. What payment types are acceptable?

A. Payments can be made via credit cards, check, ACH/electronic check or wire transfer. Contact ESP directly for questions regarding payment options. Email: [email protected]

Q. Where will the site visits take place?

A. Please see the Agenda and Site Visits pages on the event website.

Q. Will transportation to the site visits be provided?

A. Yes, transportation to and from the sites will be provided. Please see the Agenda for the scheduled site visit times.

Q. Can I select which site to visit?

A. You can choose your site visit location during registration. If your site of choice is filled, you will be placed on a waitlist and assigned to another location with available space.

Q. Can I change my site visit location?

A. No, once a site visit selection is made during registration, there will be no change to your itinerary.