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 Distillery 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 Events with an * will also be livestreamed for those purchasing a virtual registration ticket |
| 8:00-8:30am | Check-In & Registration |
| 8:30-9:00am | Welcome Address Guidestone Welcome - Andrea Earley Coen Community Address: Chaffee County Land Use Code Updates in Support of Agriculture -- Miles Cottom, Chaffee County Assistant Attorney & Planner |
| 9:15-10:15am | Breakout Sessions *Eat Where You Live: Local Purchasing Panel -- Cari Watson of Robin's, Eddie Sandoval of Asian Palate, Matt Anderson of Arrowpoint Cattle Company and Josh Chance of Headwaters Farm Soil Health STARs - Improving Pastures Through the Lens of Soil Health -- Sarah Hamilton & Natalie Allio of Central Colorado Conservancy, and Annie Overlin Local Mushroom Farming & Bioremediation Projects -- Tylor Berreth, Alpine Valley Mushrooms AgriVoltaics at Jack's Solar Garden -- Byron Kominek |
| 10:25-11:25am | Breakout Sessions *New Colorado Ag Labor Law -- Dan Waldvogle, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Land Management & Fire Mitigation Through Contract Grazing Goats -- Lani Malmberg & Donny Benz Worm Farming on a Small Scale -- Erika Babbitt-Rogers High Elevation Crop Growing Guides -- Beth LaShell, Old Fort Farm at Hesperus |
| 11:30am-12:20pm | Lunch catered by Robin's Salida featuring Arrowpoint Cattle beef and other Local Products from Valley Roots Food Hub |
| 12:20-1:15pm | *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 Living Medicine: The Agroecology of Medicinal Plants -- Amy Kousch Fruit Tree Pruning, Susan Carter, CSU Extension |
| 2:30-3:30pm | Breakout Sessions *Making the Most of your Resources: Water, Fencing, Genetics, Herding and More Part 2 -- Alejandro Carrillo High Desert Mushroom Cultivation and other Fungal Pursuits -- Mercedes Perez Whitman Watershed Ranch - Upgrades, Experiments, and Partnerships -- Rick Bieterman 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 With music by Tim Mooney Seed Swap by Salida Seed Library Libations tastings with Woods Distillery, Vino Salida, Soulcraft Brewing, and Sober Salida and our vendors and farmers market. |
| 5-7pm | Post-Conference Social with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union 146 Taphouse, 146 W 1st St, Salida |
| Saturday, March 11th, 2023 | |
| 9-11 am | Mushroom Growing Workshop Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center, Salida, CO MycoSprings - Mercedes Perez Whitman |