2024 Agenda

This at-a-glance conference schedule is *subject to change*. Check back here for updated information on specific sessions and speakers as we get closer to the event!

 

Tuesday December 10, 2024

Vendor Load In12:00 PM – 5:00 PMMain Hall
Registration Open12:00 PM – 6:00 PMMain Hall
Lunch12:00 PM – 1:00 PMMain Hall
Farm Tours1:30 PM – 4:00 PMOff site
Montana Organic Commodities Advisory Council4:00 PM – 5:00 PMTBA
Montana Organic Producer Co-Op Meeting4:00 PM – 6:00 PMTBA
Welcome Reception with Music, Food, & Drinks
Music from Ben Larson & The Grownass Men		6:00 PM – 7:00 PMMain Hall

Wednesday December 11, 2024

Registration Open7:00 AM – 6:00 PMMain Hall
Breakfast7:00 AM – 8:00 AMMain Hall
Welcome Remarks8:00 AM – 8:15 AMMain Hall
Silent Auction Opens8:00 AMMain Hall
Opening Session: Montana Processor Introductions8:15 AM – 9:00 AMMain Hall
Vendor Appreciation Break9:00 AM – 9:20 AMMain Hall
Conference Session
– Beef Nutrition and Biomarkers		9:20 AM – 10:00 AMMain Hall
Keynote Session
“Mindshift” – Succeeding in the future with agriculture requires us to see things through a different lens.
Ron Rabou
Owner, President, Rabou Farms, Inc.		10:00 AM – 10:40 AMMain Hall
Breakout Sessions
– Dying to Eat Organic: The Superior Nutrition of Organic Food
 Dr. Jane Smith, Co-owner, Aspen Island, LLC

– Barley Breeding & TB1 Mutation		10:40 AM – 11:20 AMTBA
Conference Session
– NRCS: Programs for Organic Producers		11:20 AM – 12:00 PMMain Hall
Lunch12:00 PM – 12:45 PMMain Hall
Vendor Appreciation Break12:45 PM – 1:00 PMMain Hall
Conference Session
– Thistle Fusarium & Thistle Rust		1:00 PM – 2:00 PMMain Hall
Breakout Sessions
– H2A Labor
– “What About Potatoes” – Challenges facing the organic potato grower
Nancy Beech, Owner/Operator, Mountain Spring Farms, LLC		2:00 PM – 3:00 PMTBA
Vendor Appreciation Break3:00 PM – 3:20 PMMain Hall
Breakout Sessions
– Roundtable Discussions
– Climate Smart Funding		3:20 PM – 4:00 PMTBA
Conference Session
– History of Gruff Grits Brand		4:00 PM – 4:40 PMMain Hall
Conference Session
– Vegetable Markets Panel		4:40 PM – 5:20 PMMain Hall
Happy Hour & “Tell Me Anything” Presentations5:30 PM – 6:30 PMMain Hall
Dinner & Awards Presentation6:30 PM – 7:45 PMMain Hall
Live Auction7:45 PM – 8:45 PMMain Hall

Thursday December 12, 2024

Registration Open7:00 AM – 2:00 PMMain Hall
Breakfast & MOA Annual Business Meeting7:00 AM – 8:00 AMMain Hall
Policy Updates / Remarks from Elected Officials8:00 AM – 8:30 AMMain Hall
Breakout Sessions
– MSU Presentation
– Alternative Finance		8:30 AM – 9:20 AMTBA
Vendor Appreciation Break9:20 AM – 9:40 AMMain Hall
Conference Session
– Crop Insurance		9:40 AM – 11:00 AMMain Hall
Conference Session
– FSA Presentation		11:00 AM – 11:40 AMMain Hall
Lunch11:40 PM – 12:45 PMMain Hall
Silent Auction Ends12:45 PMMain Hall
Closing Remarks12:45 PM – 1:00 PMMain Hall