Sessions/Speakers

Testing the Safety of your Cottage Foods | Autumn Stoll, UMN Extension Educator - Food Safety

Whether you are an experienced cottage food producer or just getting starting, this hands-on workshop will cover everything you need to know about testing the safety of your cottage foods. Learn how to use a pH meter and water activity test kit, explore key food safety best practices, and get a brief overview of the Minnesota Cottage Food Law. 

Farm Profitability & Farm Purchasing Tips | Erik Heimark, Laura Cullip, Renewing the Countryside, Farm Business Management

Learn about how not all loans are made equal and how comparing interest rates and terms could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.  The session will also discuss how Farm Business Management at RTC can help you with your financial and business record keeping and how to navigate the lending process.  

Leading with Pride from Where You Are | Derek Mulhern, Cultivating Change Foundation

This session explores leadership as an expression of identity rather than a job title, with a focus on the lived experience of LGBTQ+ farmers and producers. In agriculture, influence often comes from who you are, the relationships you build, and the values you carry into your work. For LGBTQ+ leaders, identity can shape leadership in powerful ways, including creativity in problem-solving, community building, and resilience.

Participants will learn a practical model of identity-based leadership built around the idea that leadership starts with how you see yourself and the story you carry into the field. The session connects directly to Pride in Every Field by highlighting how authentic identity strengthens leadership and creates space for multiple pathways into agricultural success. We will explore how visibility, culture, and lived experience inform leadership across the farm, cooperative, market, or community.

The session includes short teaching segments, small group conversations, and applied exercises. Participants will reflect on their leadership identity as LGBTQ+ producers, map the leadership roles they already play in their work and communities, and practice tools for influencing outcomes from any role.

Should I Be a Beekeeper? | Marvus Whyte, Jo Schirling, University of Minnesota Bee Squad

Have you ever wondered if becoming a beekeeper is right for you? Honey bees are our littlest livestock that play an important role in agriculture, but their management requires lots of time and energy due to problems caused by pathogens, parasites, pesticides, climate change, and habitat loss. To learn more about the ins and outs of becoming a beekeeper, join the University of Minnesota Bee Squad as they cover the costs, time commitment, management requirements, and mentoring opportunities related to beekeeping. If you've decided beekeeping isn't right for you, Bee Squad experts will cover other actions to help all pollinators, like planting flowers and creating nesting habitat. 

Agroforestry, perennials, and the queerness of nature | June Ripp, Savanna Institute

Nature has never been heterosexual. It is, and always has been, queer. The evidence in the scientific community continues to point towards the wonderful natural world and wholeheartedly misunderstood and misclassified. This talk will review the mounting academic publications around the queerness of nature, and connect those themes with perennial farming systems based on TEK knowledge and agroforestry. Diverse, woody perennials are not just for hobby farms and backyards anymore, but once again being looked towards as viable farming options to combat conventional, monoculture systems.  As the adoption of agroforestry becomes more practical in straddling the line between environmental and monetarily viable, this talk will touch on the vibrant spectrum that agroforestry systems thrive on, between conventional and conservation practices. Pride in the field means integrated people, plants, and practices. 

Grants Game Show with Minnesota Department of Agriculture | Emily Toner & Maya Benedict, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Have some fun while learning about grant programs and other financial resources that can support a farm business from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The session will be in the format of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" with a contestant and audience participation. Learn about specific programs like the Down Payment Assistance Program and Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant as well as some overall tips and explanations about the MDA's application and award process for competitive grant programs.

Resume Building and Interview Tips | Cole Leary-Limon, Compeer Financial

Whether you're looking for a fresh start or want to polish your professional toolkit, this session covers everything you need to land your next role. We’ll start with a deep dive into resumes—discussing what actually belongs on the page, how to format it, and how to customize your info for different job posts. From there, we’ll move to interview prep, where you’ll learn the STAR methodology for storytelling and how to handle tricky questions like salary expectations with confidence. I’ll also share some "insider" recruiter secrets on how talent is sourced and, if time allows, I'm happy to take a look at your resume and provide some one-on-one feedback.

Wrangling Backyard Poultry!  Helpful Strategies to Enjoy Birds at Home | Diane DeWitte,  UMN Extension Educator - Swine

Provide basics of establishing a backyard poultry flock, including how to find local regs regarding backyard birds, housing, health, nutrition, biosecurity, meat, and eggs. 

From Field to Market: Beginner-Friendly Marketing for Your Cut Flowers | Robin Trott, UMN Extension Educator

New to growing cut flowers and wondering how to sell them successfully? This 50-minute beginner-friendly workshop will teach you the essentials of marketing your blooms, including simple branding tips, pricing strategies, and easy ways to promote on social media. You’ll also take part in a hands-on Customer Persona Exercise to identify your ideal buyer and learn how to attract them. No prior marketing experience needed, just bring your passion for flowers and leave with practical steps to start selling confidently.

Ag Lending 101 - working with your Lender and Beginning Farmer Government loan programs | Brent Kelsey, Compeer Financial

This introductory session demystifies the lending and financing process for new and aspiring farmers. We’ll break down what lenders look for—from strong balance sheets and accurate income/expense reporting to realistic cash-flow projections—so you know how to present your operation with confidence. A key focus will be understanding State and Federal programs designed specifically to support beginning farmers, including how to determine eligibility, prepare required documentation, and work effectively with agencies throughout the application process. Participants will also learn practical steps for building productive relationships with lenders and navigating common barriers faced by first-generation and underrepresented producers. You’ll leave with a clearer roadmap for securing capital, strengthening your financial foundation, and moving your farm vision forward.

Conservation Roadmapping with MN WiC | Allison Rian, Regional Coordinator, MN Women in Conservation

MN Women in Conservation coordinators will lead a creative activity that guides participants through a "conservation roadmap" for their farm or dream farm. The session will be an interactive and welcoming space to connect, share experiences, and think creatively.

Old MacDonald Had A Herd Health Problem: Livestock Biosecurity 101 | Jason Sumwalt, University of Michigan

An introduction to the importance of biosecurity protocols for the small-scale livestock producer, focusing on swine, cattle, sheep/goats, and poultry.

Clean Energy for Farms | Anna Peterson, Clean Energy Resource Teams, University of MN Extension

This session will provide a practical overview of clean energy opportunities relevant to agricultural operations, including on-farm energy efficiency and renewable energy options.

The presentation will focus on how clean energy strategies can support farms, highlight resources available to farmers, and discuss key considerations such as upfront costs, financing, and implementation challenges. The session is intended to be accessible, discussion-oriented, and grounded in real-world farm contexts, with time for participant questions and shared learning.

B*I*N*G*O! A Queen with a Dream  | Jon Braun/Cowphusia, Hyland Hi Dairy, and Agriculture Teacher Eschool and Local Dairy  Drag Queen

Picture this, growing up near Cato, WI, on a 34 cow dairy operation. As the farm grows, so does a desire to entertain, educate, and live authentically. Learn how one person balances being a farmer, a teacher, and drag queen in Wisconsin. 

Build Your Farm Safety and Wellness Toolbox  | Sue Von Bank, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Find out about the safety and wellness resources available for your farm and your community. We’ll share information on grants, training, and more, including resources from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Extension, the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH), and others.

Market Your Products with Minnesota Grown  | Mallory Forseth, Minnesota Grown, MDA

Learn about the benefits of Minnesota Grown membership and how to leverage them to reach new customers. We support local farms and businesses with statewide advertising, branding support, and directories that reached over 400,000 buyers last year. Get all the details on how to maximize these benefits for your business. 

While this event is open to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity it will center the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and other gender diverse people connected to the Agriculture industry.