Tilth Conference + Farm & Food Symposium

Conference Schedule

Browse through the Tilth Conference + Farm & Food Symposium schedule! Please note that this is a preliminary schedule that is subject to change before the event.

Tilth Conference

By Date/Time

Wednesday, November 12
7:30-8 a.m.Registration and breakfast for Farm & Food Symposium
8-8:15 a.m.Welcome
8:15-9:25 a.m.
8:15-9:25 a.m.
Redefining Soil Fertility
Farm & Food SymposiumKeynote

Vivian Kaloxilos, Docterre

8 a.m.-6 p.m.
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Trade Show
Trade Show
This year’s Trade Show experience is designed to bring our sponsors and attendees closer than ever before! Exhibitors will be joining you in sessions …
9:30-10:45 a.m.
9:30-10:45 a.m.
Biological Farming, Innovation and Resourcefulness
Farm & Food SymposiumKeynote

Todd Harrington, Harrington’s Organic Land Care

10:45-11 a.m.Break
11 a.m.-noon
11 a.m.-noon
Advancing Soil Health in Washington: WaSHI & LTARE Research
Farm & Food Symposium
This session will provide symposium attendees with a comprehensive overview of the Washington Soil Health Initiative (WaSHI) — its structure, mission, and key state-level committee activities — …
noon-1 p.m.Lunch
1-2:15 p.m.
1-2:15 p.m.
The FreshRx Model – Healing People and the Land
Farm & Food SymposiumKeynote

Erin Martin, FreshRX Oklahoma

2:15-2:30 p.m.Break
2:30-4 p.m.
2:30-4 p.m.
Switching to Biological Farming: 2025 Update
Farm & Food Symposium
Making the shift to biological practices can feel overwhelming. This session brings together producers navigating the transition—discussing foliar sprays, custom mixes, input reductions, and …
4-6 p.m.
4-6 p.m.
Happy Hour & Networking
Social Event
Relax and connect with farmers, partners, and vendors in an informal setting to share ideas and spark collaborations.
Thursday, November 13
7:30-8 a.m.Breakfast & Networking
8-9:30 a.m.
8-9:30 a.m.
A Story of Soil Regeneration, Profits, and Life
Farm & Food SymposiumKeynote

Vivian Kaloxilos, Docterre

8 a.m.-7 p.m.
8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Trade Show
Trade Show
This year’s Trade Show experience is designed to bring our sponsors and attendees closer than ever before! Exhibitors will be joining you in sessions …
9:45-11 a.m.
9:45-11 a.m.
My Approach to Biological Farming: Successful Case Studies
Farm & Food SymposiumKeynote

Todd Harrington, Harrington’s Organic Land Care

11-noon
11 a.m.-noon
11 a.m.-noon
Nutrient Density, Regeneration, and Rural Revitalization
Farm & Food Symposium

Erin Martin, FreshRX Oklahoma

noon-1 p.m.Lunch
1-2:15 p.m.
1-2:15 p.m.
Inland Northwest Farmer Case Studies
Farm & Food Symposium

Vivian Kaloxilos, Docterre

1:30-2:30 p.m.
2:15-2:30 p.m.Break
2:30-3:45 p.m.
2:30-3:45 p.m.
Introduction to School Markets and the Farm to School Supply Chain
Farm to School

Carter Grant, Seattle Public Schools; Annette Slonim, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture

2:30-3:45 p.m.
Partnering for Organic Success: Certification 101
Transition to Organic

Claire Davis, Oregon Tilth

2:30-3:45 p.m.
How to Fund Your Farm
Farm Business & Marketing

Kaitlin Davies, USDA Farm Service Agency; Micha Ide, WSDA Regional Markets Program; Ryan Kile, AgWest

2:30-3:45 p.m.
Designing Low Risk Wash Packs for Farms with Multiple Farmers and Languages
Practical Skills & Production Practices

Patrice Barrentine, King County Agriculture Program

2:30-4 p.m.
2:30-4 p.m.
Fireside Chat: Soil to Human Health
Farm & Food Symposium

Vivian Kaloxilos, Docterre; Erin Martin, FreshRX Oklahoma; Todd Harrington, Harrington’s Organic Land Care

4-5:15 p.m.
4-5:15 p.m.
Pathways for Selling to Schools
Farm to School

Tammy Howard, NCAT

4-5:15 p.m.
QPR Question, Persuade and Refer: A Suicide Prevention Training
Practical Skills & Production Practices

Debbie Fredricks, WSU Extension Skagit County

4-5:15 p.m.
Managing the Transition to Organic & Regenerative Production
Transition to Organic

Brad Bailie, Lenwood Farms; Aaron Flansburg, Flansburg Farm; Josh Riddle, Farm It, LLC

4-5:15 p.m.
Meat Production and Processing: Lessons Learned from Doing Both
Farm Business & Marketing

Cody & Jen Hoseth, Lone Crow Ranch; Kira & Brent Olsen, Olsen Farms, Smoky Ridge Meats

5:15-7:15 p.m.
5:15-7:15 p.m.
Happy Hour
Social Event
Join us for a mix and mingle event. Enjoy this evening with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and music.
7:15-9 p.m.
7:15-9 p.m.
“Women’s Work” – Documentary Screening
Social Event

Elizabeth Bragg, Long Hearing Farm; Micha Ide, WSDA Regional Markets Program; Nelida Martinez, Pure Nelida Farm; Ryanne Pilgeram, Independent Scholar

7:15-10 p.m.
7:15-10 p.m.
Stories & Songs From the Farm
Social Event
Come together as farmers and friends to share stories, songs, poetry or whatever other medium makes sense to bring your farm experience and its impact …
Friday, November 14
7:30-8:30 a.m.Breakfast
8 a.m.-noonRegistration
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Trade Show
Trade Show
This year’s Trade Show experience is designed to bring our sponsors and attendees closer than ever before! Exhibitors will be joining you in sessions …
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
SCD Advanced Programming: Soil Health Day
Farm & Food Symposium

Vivian Kaloxilos, Docterre; Todd Harrington, Harrington’s Organic Land Care

8:45-9:45 a.m.
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Keynote: Valerie Segrest
Keynote

Valerie Segrest, Native Plants and Foods Institute

9 a.m.-5 p.m.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WSDA Organic Office Hours
Are you curious about transitioning to organic production? Have you wondered if organic certification would be a good fit for your farm and markets? Or …
10-11:15 a.m.
10-11:15 a.m.
Working Session: How to Tell Your Story to Create a Thriving Business
Farm to School

Rey Cooley, Washington Farm to School Network; Cheryl Thornton, Cloud Mountain Farm

10-11:15 a.m.
Update on Federal Organic Agricultural Policy
Transition to Organic

Steve Ela, NOC

10-11:15 a.m.
Building Customer Relationships: The How, Who and Why
Farm Business & Marketing

Jake Fowler, Northwest Agriculture Business Center; Audrey Nordby, University of Oregon; Noah Schoenbaum, University of Oregon; Dayton Walker, University of Oregon

10-11:15 a.m.
Building Climate Resilience Together: An Inclusive Blueprint for Washington’s Farming Future
Practical Skills & Production Practices

Dani Gelardi, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture; Erik Nicholson, Semillero de Ideas

noon-1:15 p.m.Lunch
noon-1:15 p.m.
Keynote: James Cassidy
Keynote

James Cassidy, Oregon State University

1:15-2:15 p.m.
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Producer School Food Buyer Networking
Farm to SchoolNetworking

Tammy Howard, NCAT

1:15-2:15 p.m.
Town Hall with Representative Kristine Reeves, Senator Shelly Short, and Senator Marcus Riccelli
Networking
Share your thoughts, challenges and policy recommendations with Representative Reeves, the new Chair of the State House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, …
2:30-3:45 p.m.
2:30-3:45 p.m.
Successful Pathways Panel
Farm to School

Kendra Dean, NorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101; Krysta Froberg, Happy Mountain Mushrooms; Leah Harp, Valley School District; Denice Kwate, Central Valley School District; Madyson Versteeg, Casa Cano Farms

2:30-3:45 p.m.
Policy Roundtable
Transition to Organic

Melissa Spear, Tilth Alliance

2:30-3:45 p.m.
A Practical Introduction to Transitioning Farm Businesses and Farmland
Farm Business & Marketing

Elizabeth Bragg, Long Hearing Farm; Jack Hebner, Fulcrum Dispute Resolution Center; Anne Schwartz, Blue Heron Farm

2:30-3:45 p.m.
Tools & Techniques for Assessing Soil Health
Practical Skills & Production Practices

Jorge Cano, Casa Cano Farm; James Cassidy, Oregon State University; Leslie Michel, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture

3:45-4 p.m.Break
4-5:15 p.m.
4-5:15 p.m.
Farm to School Office Hours
Farm to School
Have questions about farm to school or facing a farm to school challenge you need help with? Stop by office hours to talk one-on-one with …
4-5:15 p.m.
Simple Steps for Better Cover Crop Success
Transition to Organic

Doug Collins, Washington State University; Francisco Farias, Farias Farm; Nate Minor, Eldur Heron Farm; Rob Smith, Viva Farms; Nathan Stacey, Oregon State University

4-5:15 p.m.
Finding Your Market
Farm Business & Marketing

Jorge Cano, Casa Cano Farm; McKenzie Don Tigny, Billie’s Diner; Brooke Lucy, Bluebird Grain Farms; Paul Rosen, Good Food Store

4-5:15 p.m.
How Do You Brew? Exploring Compost Teas and Extracts in the PNW
Practical Skills & Production Practices

Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Washington State University; Maren Friesen, Washington State University; Carol McFarland, METER Group; Josh Riddle, Farm It, LLC

4-5:15 p.m.
Advocacy for Agriculture in Washington: How to Navigate, Instigate, and Speak Out in the Legislature

Melinda Lupe Johnson, Lilith Moon Farm Agricultural Organization; Nils Johnson, Lilith Moon Farm Agricultural Organization; Melissa Spear, Tilth Alliance

5:30-7:30 p.m.
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Growing Markets for Local Food
Networking
Our “Growing Markets for Local Food” event on Friday evening will provide a networking opportunity for farmers to meet with invited buyers, chefs, and restaurateurs …
Saturday, November 15
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tilth Conference Farm Walk
Farm Walks
Join us in Spokane for an exciting three-stop Farm Walk as part of our annual Tilth Conference! We will be kicking off the tour at …