Join us for a wide variety of speakers covering a range of topics that farmers and agriculture professionals alike will benefit from. Attendance at the speaker sessions is complimentary for Farm Show attendees.
Tuesday, February 25th
9AM – What is Soil Health and What Can I Do On My Farm?
This session will focus on soil health principles and how these principles can be applied on farms across the region. Soil health demonstrations will be used to help visualize how soil health builds soil function and ultimately, resiliency in a cropping system.
Speaker: Stephanie McLain is the Soil Health Specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Minnesota. She works to educate NRCS employees, farmers, landowners, conservation partners, ag professionals, and policy leaders about the benefits of soil health in our cropping systems. Stephanie delivers hands-on technical assistance on cover crops, no-till or reduced till, crop rotations, soil function and other topics related to building soil health management systems and implementing soil health principles on the landscape.
10:30AM – Cutting Winter Feed Costs for Beef Cows: Practical Approaches for Sustainable Feeding
After taking a hard look at the numbers, Jared realized the high costs of traditional winter cattle feeding were unsustainable. In this workshop, he shares his journey to reduce winter feed expenses and explores the strategies he’s tested, from shipping cows south to grazing local corn stalks, bale grazing, stockpiling cover crops, and more. Join him to learn practical methods for lowering feed costs and building a more sustainable beef operation.
Speaker: Jared Luhman farms with his wife Valerie and dad Jon in Goodhue, Minn., raising 230 registered Red Angus and 80 Black Angus cattle bred to thrive without costly inputs. They practice no-till, cover cropping, and livestock integration, aiming to enhance land health, profitability, and quality of life. Jared also hosts the Ranching Returns podcast, where he interviews farmers and ranchers across the U.S. about improving financial returns, land health, and lifestyle through ranching.
11:45AM – Estate Planning and How to Effectively Implement It
Planning for the future is critical for farmers looking to preserve their legacy and protect their assets. This session, led by a financial planner, attorney, and CPA, offers best practices for safeguarding your farm, minimizing taxes, and ensuring a smooth transition of ownership to the next generation.
Speakers:
Keith Olander, AgCentric: Keith Olander is the executive director of AgCentric, a Minnesota State Agricultural Center of Excellence. He focuses on enhancing agricultural education from K-12 to industry, building partnerships, and promoting sustainable workforce development in agriculture.
John Wenker, Quinlivan & Hughes: John Wenker assists clients with estate planning, probate, real estate transactions, and business matters such as formation and contract review. Actively involved in the community, Wenker frequently speaks on topics like estate planning, real estate, and guardianships for organizations across Central Minnesota.
12:30PM – Profits from a Small Diversified Farm
Joel Barr owns and operates Abraham’s Table Farm in Sandstone, MN, where biointensive methods are used to grow organic produce on just one acre. The farm also employs rotational grazing to produce eggs, chicken, and beef on less than 40 acres of pasture. All products are sold and delivered directly to consumers, fostering a close connection between the farm and its customers. Through intensive production methods and efficient management systems, the farm supports a small team and consistently generates a profit. In this session, Joel will share an overview of their farming, management, and sales strategies, highlighting how they mitigate risks and achieve profitability on an exceptionally small scale.
Speaker: Joel Barr began working on a farm after college and started his own farm 5 years later. By starting small and focusing on efficient systems, direct marketing, regenerative practices, and high quality, Joel was able to slowly grow his farm from a tiny operation on rented land to a stable farm that provides a modest income for his family. Joel lives and farms in Sandstone MN, with his brave wife and 5 beautiful daughters.
2PM – Growing Great Garlic in Minn.
Learn the basics for growing garlic in Minnesota, whether you’re a home gardener or a farmer looking to add another cash crop.
Speaker: Jerry Ford has been growing and selling garlic from Living Song Farm since 2002. He is the director of the Minnesota Garlic Festival, coordinator of the Upper Midwest Garlic Growers Group, and a co-author of the Extension publication, “Growing Garlic in Minnesota.”
3PM – Commissioner Thom Petersen Social
Join us for a meet and greet with Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner, Thom Petersen. This will take place on the showroom floor at the Farm Show.
Thom Petersen was appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture by Governor Tim Walz in 2019 and reappointed in 2023. Commissioner Petersen is a long-time resident of Royalton Township near Pine City where he lives on a horse farm. Before being appointed Commissioner, Petersen served as the Director of Government Relations for Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) since 2002, working on behalf of MFU’s farmer-members in both Washington, D.C., and St. Paul.
Wednesday, February 26th
9AM – Maximizing Nutrients from Dairy Manure: Strategies for Fully Utilizing this Fertility Resource
With low commodity prices and rising input costs, farms need to maximize every resource to stay profitable. Manure is often seen as a unique advantage in cropping systems, but are we truly capturing its full nutrient potential? Not all manure is created equal. SFA Senior Advisor Doug Voss will explore how different manure handling systems impact nutrient retention and how to maximize the fertility benefits from your cows.
Speaker: SFA’s Doug Voss farms in Central Minnesota with a dedication to regenerative agriculture. He collaborates with organizations and farmers alike, providing consultation and education on improving soil health and the transformative benefits of regenerative practices.
10:30AM – Demystifying Cover Crops: Key Questions and Practical Tips for Successful Implementation
Many farmers are interested in cover crops but aren’t sure where to start. By asking the right questions, you can identify cover crop options that best fit your operation’s goals. SFA Senior Advisor Kent Solberg will share essential tips and strategies to help you assess, select, and successfully implement cover crops on your farm.
Speaker: SFA’s Kent Solberg farms in northwestern Minnesota and has over 30 years of experience working with farms on soil health, cover crops, and grazing management. He has also served as adjunct faculty on these topics and has consulted with farms nationwide.
12:45PM – Using the Smartmix Calculator to Formulate an Optimal Cover Crop Mix.
This session builds on the previous one with a hands-on focus on using the SmartMix calculator. Success with cover crops starts with understanding how different species contribute to soil biology and benefit the next cash crop. With details about your specific context, the SmartMix calculator generates a custom cover crop mix tailored to your needs. Bring an iPad or laptop to follow along and create your own mix during this interactive session!
Speaker: Jonathan Kilpatrick is SFA’s Farmer Education Director, managing events, programs, and consulting services. He works with farmers and ranchers across the region, focusing on soil health, grazing, livestock management, and creating profitable farm enterprises. Jonathan and his family also run Kilpatrick Land & Livestock in Alexandria, where they raise sheep, goats, and pastured poultry.
2PM – The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program: What It Is and How It Can Benefit You
Discover the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) program and its benefits for both current and aspiring grazing dairy farmers. Learn how DGA supports climate-smart initiatives and how its programs can enhance sustainability and profitability on your farm.
Speaker: Sustainable Farming Association’s (SFA) Angie Walter is an organic grazing dairy farmer. Along with her husband Nate, she has been farming in Villard, Minn., for over 20 years. For the past five years, Angie has worked with the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) through SFA, and together, they have hosted multiple apprentices on their farm over the past eight years.
