Tilth Conference

Conference Schedule

Conference Schedule

Lunch & Learn: Integrating Farm Viability into Conservation Planning

  • Date: Monday, November 16
  • Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Speakers: Ryan Gelwicks, Skagit Conservation District; Aníbal Hernández, Primavera Farms; Eden Lopez and Sonia Morales, Wonderful Garden; Katie Pence, Whatcom Conservation District; Hilda Sandoval, Whatcom Conservation District

Join conservation farm planners, cultural ambassadors, and farmers from Whatcom and Skagit Conservation Districts for a lunch-and-learn exploring how farm viability support can be integrated into conservation planning.

Panelists Katie Pencke and Hilda Sandoval of Whatcom Conservation District and Ryan Gelwicks and Nubia Gonzalez of Skagit Conservation District will be joined by farmers from Primavera Farms in Sumas and Wonderful Garden in Everson to share experiences from this emerging model. The session is part of a two-year Western SARE Professional Development Program bringing conservation districts together to co-create a statewide approach to farm viability coaching — helping farmers strengthen the economic sustainability of their businesses alongside their conservation goals. The project aims to engage 15–20 of Washington’s 45 conservation districts in developing and adopting this model.

About the Speakers

  • Ryan Gelwicks

    Skagit Conservation District

    Ryan Gelwicks is a Conservation Farm Planner with Skagit Conservation District, supporting farmers with conservation planning and technical assistance.

  • Aníbal Hernández

    Primavera Farms

    Aníbal Hernández is the owner of Primavera Farms, a diversified farm business based in Sumas, Washington, and a participant in Whatcom Conservation District’s farm viability program.

  • Eden Lopez and Sonia Morales

    Wonderful Garden

    Eden Lopez and Sonia Morales are the owners of Wonderful Garden, a diversified farm business based in Everson, Washington, and participants in Whatcom Conservation District’s farm viability program.

  • Katie Pence

    Whatcom Conservation District

    Katie Pencke is a Conservation Farm Planner with Whatcom Conservation District, where she leads farm viability programming and supports private landowners with conservation planning and technical assistance.

  • Hilda Sandoval

    Whatcom Conservation District

    Hilda Sandoval is Whatcom Conservation District’s Cultural Ambassador and a conservation farm planner in training, supporting farm business owners who prefer Spanish through relationship-based outreach and technical assistance.