Session Descriptions

Conference Sessions,  Tuesday, February 11

Morning Session 

State of Rural Minnesota | Julie Tesch

An interactive session featuring research and table discussions around the workforce, rural healthcare, and rural childcare .

Breakouts 1 (10:00 a.m -  11:15 a.m.)

Playpens, Tractor Cabs, Daycare, or the Neighbors? Where Do the Kids Fit in Your Crop Rotation Plan? | Susanne Hinrichs & DeeDee LeMier

Wondering where childcare fits in your farm plan? There are many benefits to raising children on the farm, but it can also be stressful. In this interactive workshop you will learn practical tips to design your farm for family well-being, integrate childcare into farm risk management, and decide how to apply childcare costs into farm and/or household budgets.

Understanding Finances | Laura Wilson 

Understanding financial statements - balance sheets and income statements 

Real Women, Grazing Stories | Star Nelson, Tarah Young , Kelly Anderson, Rachel Gray & Mardi Harder

This session features a dynamic farmer panel discussing regenerative grazing practices and the role of women in agriculture. The panel will highlight the experiences of farmers actively implementing sustainable grazing methods that improve soil health, water retention, and pasture productivity. Special attention will be given to the unique contributions of women in agriculture, sharing insights on leadership, innovation, and resilience in the farming community. Attendees will gain practical knowledge from real-world examples of regenerative grazing while also exploring the growing impact of women in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and land management. 

Busting Burnout | Emily Krekelberg

What is burnout and why is it such a hot topic? Burnout impacts everyone, especially the most highly engaged employees and individuals. This session will explore the causes of burnout, its impacts on our mental well-being and strategies for talking about it and coping.

Breakout 2 (12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.)

Power of Story | Lindsey Loken

Agriculture & Social Media -The power of telling your story and how to navigate social media. 2) Empowering women in agriculture and every day life. 3) Direct Marketing your ag product to the consumer.

Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory (COMET) | Meg Moynihan & Becca Golden

This interactive training teaches participants how to reach out in a respectful and supportive way to friends, coworkers, customers, or acquaintances who seem to be struggling somewhere on the continuum between “wellness” and “mental health crisis.” 

Farmer Experiences with MDA Funding | Jenny Heck, Courtney VanderMey, Rachel Wandrei, Jodi Brown &  Stephanie Paulsen

Hear from farmers who have received state grants and the staff who run them about how to be successful with your own applications. You'll learn about three programs from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and have plenty of time to talk through questions.

Digging into the Science of Healthy Soils | Bailey Tangen, Jodi DeJong-Hughes & Megan Herbst

With only one-third of Earth’s land supporting food production, protecting our soils is more critical than ever. Dive into the fascinating world of healthy, productive soils in this session, where participants will gain hands-on experience testing soil’s biological, physical, and chemical properties. Whether you’re a beginner, a soil enthusiast, or an experienced land manager, you’ll leave with practical, actionable steps to create healthier soil ecosystems.

Breakout 3 (1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

The Do-er and the Daydreamer... and How to Be Both | Christine Leonard

When Christine left for college, she never thought she'd return home to her family's dairy farm, not because she didn't want to, but because she told herself she couldn't. She is now in her 7th year of full time farming, dreaming and do-ing. Join us as we take the time to walk through the stepping stones to your own day dream. From examining your values, vocations and failures, to granting yourself permission to think outside the box. 

Saving Money and Energy on Your Farm | Anna Peterson, Joan Olson, Kathy Draeger & Jennifer Lindahl

Hear from local women who have saved energy and money on their farms from simple steps to solar and wind.

Crop and Livestock Integration: The Forgotten Soil Health Principle | Gabi Bolwerk, Sabrina Florentino & Claire LaCanne

Participants will build their knowledge and planning skills for integrating crops and livestock to enhance soil health. Topics include soil health fundamentals, cover crop establishment, and cover crop grazing. The session will include visual aids and hands-on activities, concluding in a group case study exercise to apply the concepts learned. 

Laws & Rules For Food Farmers & Food Makers | Kathy Zeman

Learn about the laws* and rules* that impact direct marketing farmers (price setters) and food makers in MN's local foodshed. The mantra is "assume you need a license to sell food, unless..." unless you meet one of many exclusions, exemptions, and regulatory discretions NOT requiring a license. And why, ultimately, local food sales require food safety first.