2023 Schedule of Events
Content and discussions will be relevant to next generation and established producers as well as local food enthusiasts, educators, and community members.
The schedule is subject to change; details will be added as they are finalized.
| Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 | |
| 4:30-6pm | Next Generation Networking & Career ConnectionsHutchinson Homestead & Learning Center, Salida, COMonica Pless |
| Thursday, March 9th, 2023 | |
| 12:30-4pm | Farm, Ranch, & Agritourism Tours We will visit Arrowpoint Cattle Company, Headwaters Farm at Erin's Organics Greenhouse, and Meadows Edge Farm, and then head to a Happy Hour at Deerhammer in Buena Vista, CO |
| 6-8:30pm | Film Screening The Stardust 16450 Co Rd 306, Buena Vista, CO Details about films coming soon! |
| Friday, March 10th, 2023 | Full Day at Salida Steamplant, 220 W. Sackett Ave., Salida, CO |
| 8:00-8:30am | Check-In & Registration |
| 8:30-9:00am | Welcome Address Guidestone Welcome - Andrea Earley Coen Community Address |
| 9:15-10:15am | Breakout Sessions Hydroponic Leafy Greens in Cold-Climate Regions -- Bailey Burgess, Mountain Roots Food Project Soil Health STARs of the Upper Arkansas -- Sarah Hamilton, Natalie Allio, & Rick Bieterman Eat Where You Live: Local Purchasing Panel -- Cari Watson of Robin's, Eddie Sandoval of Asian Palate, Matt Anderson of Arrowpoint Cattle Company Local Mushroom Farming & Bioremediation Projects -- Tylor Berreth, Alpine Valley Mushrooms |
| 10:25-11:25am | Breakout Sessions New Labor Law -- Dan Waldvogle Land Management & Fire Mitigation Through Contract Grazing Goats -- Lani Malmberg & Donny Benz High Desert Mushroom Cultivation and other Fungal Pursuits -- Mercedes Perez Whitman |
| 11:30am-12:30pm | Lunch Featuring Local Products |
| 12:30-1:15pm | Keynote AddressRising from the Ashes: Ranching in the Desert -- Alejandro Carrillo How mimicking nature builds a strong and resilient operation in uncertain times |
| 1:20-2:20pm | Breakout Sessions Making the Most of your Resources: Water, Fencing, Genetics, Herding and More Part 1 -- Alejandro Carrillo Farmer Training -- Beth LaShell Living Medicine: The Agroecology of Medicinal Plants -- Amy Kousch AgriVoltaics at Jack's Solar Garden -- Byron Kominek |
| 2:30-3:30pm | Breakout Sessions Making the Most of your Resources: Water, Fencing, Genetics, Herding and More Part 2 -- Alejandro Carrillo Improving Pastures Through the Lens of Soil Health (Colorado focus) -- Annie Overlin Worm Farming on a Small Scale -- Erika Babbitt-Rogers Offsite Tour: Low-Till Techniques on a Small Farm -- Monica Pless & Emma Lietz Bilecky This session is offsite at Community & School Farm, in Salida |
| 3:30-5pm | Community Open House and Seed Swap |
| 5-7pm | Post-Conference Social with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Salida Location TBD |
| Saturday, March 11th, 2023 | |
| 9-11 am | Mushroom Growing Workshop Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center, Salida, CO MycoSprings - Mercedes Perez Whitman |