2025 Workshops and Conference Schedule

Presenters: 

Nura Ahmed, Farm Business Management advocate, Land Access Navigator, Farmer
Erik Heimark, Owner/Farmer Maple Ridge Farms & Farm Business Management Specialist at Renewing the Countryside
Hannah Lewis, Project Manager, Renewing the Countryside
Katie Kubovcik, Farm Education Consultant, Renewing the Countryside & Big River Farms
Esther Ondieki, Farmer, Canaan Greens Farm
Jane Windsperger, Owner/Farmer, GEDEF Farm
Matt Barthelemy, Project Coordinator, Renewing the Countryside
Mhonpaj Lee, Mhonpaj’s Garden Organic Farmer & Inspire Access Realtor and Broker

Course Description:

This session will focus on strategies for lowering risks related to extreme weather and financial instability in farming. In a time when federal safety nets are being scaled back, we can lean further into other sources of resilience and strength – in our communities, in nature, and in our own production practices. We will hear from farmers and other specialists on how basic financial management can help us make sound decisions, how conservation practices can limit the negative effects on crops from extreme weather, and how we can build upon our community connections to solve problems.

We will focus on these three topic areas for building farm resilience – financial management, climate smart or conservation practices, and community connections. For each topic, we will hear from a farmer, a service provider, and a Connector and then break up into groups to further discuss the topic and do an activity to increase understanding and build skills.

Presenters:

Josh Bryceson, Director of Grower Support, The Good Acre
Ariel Pressman, Consultant, UMN Extension/Whole Farm Strategies
Funwi Tita, Owner, Better Greens LLC
Annalisa Hultberg, UMN Extension Educator, Food Safety
Natalie Hoidal, UMN Extension Educator, Local Foods & Vegetable Production
Marissa Schuh, UMN Extension Educator, Horticulture Integrated Pest Management

Course Description:

This session will be a deep dive into production and postharvest practices for emerging fruit and vegetable farmers to help them be more profitable, scaled-up farmers who are able to successfully sell to wholesale, food hubs and farm to school markets.

The session will provide interactive activities including practice choosing varieties, planning beds and planting dates, understanding how insects and weeds can impact their yields and how to manage them, weeding with tools for efficiency, and postharvest handling and cleaning for safety and quality. The goal of each section will be to understand how to use this information to professionalize and improve efficiency to keep the buyers happy and improve profit margins via efficiency. Growers will leave with knowledge, skills and hands-on practice for moving their farm businesses beyond small volumes and into profitable, sustainable businesses. All farmers will receive printed manuals detailing many low-cost on-farm infrastructure plans and tables to plan their cropping systems.

Two experienced emerging farmers will present during all sections on what they have learned as they have scaled up their farm and how practices might differ from farmers’ market sales. They will share photos, tips and recommendations they have learned from years of experience relating to each topic that has helped in their growth.

Presenters: 

Sara George, Farmer & Farmer Focused Program Manager, Renewing the Countryside
Liana Nichols, Vegetable Grower, Wozupi Tribal Gardens
Allison Rian, Program Specialist, Renewing the Countryside
Dana Joekla, Territory Sales Rep, Johnny’s Selected Seeds

Course Description: 

Would you like to have produce available year-round? Join a panel of ag professionals and fellow farmers to explore practical, cost-effective tools for extending your season. We’ll cover crop planning, variety selection, growing under cover, low-cost storage, and more.

* Ag Professionals are people who work to support farmers, at an agency, a non-profit, or an educational institution.

Presenters: 

Ka Zoua Berry, Farm Director, The Food Group
Ryan Perez, Organizing Director, COPAL
Sean Carroll, Policy and Organizing Director, Land Stewardship Project

Course Description: 

This workshop is meant for anyone who works with farmers on a day-to-day basis or plans to work with more emerging farmers as part of their core values. When working with farmers, sometimes we enter into that space with what we think we know is best, but that doesn’t always get translated into something that is practical or receivable by someone who farms differently, speaks differently, and sees the world differently. We will talk about intercultural communications, de-escalation, positive feedback, how to protect farmers and yourselves in challenging times, and share space with other providers who might experience similar challenges and joy. Come to this class with curiosity and an open mind to dialogue about how we can help farmers be more resilient to help strengthen our food system.