Wichita ? The Agriculture Department and other federal agencies are reaching out to small businesses and farmer-owned cooperatives in Kansas with a conference aimed at helping them learn about contracting opportunities.

The free conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel on June 28 in Overland Park. The event is co-hosted by USDA and the Department of Commerce in support of the White House Initiative on Small Business Contracting.

Workshops and panel discussions include acquisition opportunities, procurement methods, subcontracting and business development resources. One workshop is dedicated to contracting opportunities in rural America.