Growing stronger, growing bolder, growing as leaders...
February 28-March 2, 2025 | Delta Hotels Marriott Convention Center, Muskegon
This biennial mash-up of our Voice of Agriculture and Young Farmer Leaders conferences, Growing Together synthesizes the best of Farm Bureau’s advocacy, outreach and leadership training. An extensive menu of subject matter ranges from communication and ag promotion to educating young people and current trends in farm business and technology. Participants network with almost 500 peers from across the state and hear from a host of industry representatives and issue experts, taking home new ideas, business resources, leadership skills and a deep roster of new allies and connections throughout Michigan’s farm sector.
Registration is open January 6-17, 2025
AGENDA
10:00 a.m. Registration opens
11:00 a.m. Young Farmer and Promotion & Education chair luncheon
11:30 a.m. Collegiate member luncheon
1:00 p.m. Tours depart
6:00 p.m. Tour dinners throughout downtown Muskegon
7:00 a.m. Registration opens
7:45 a.m. Breakfast and program
9:30 a.m. District collaboration meetings
10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. 45-minute breakouts
11:30 a.m. Lunch and program
1:15 p.m. 45-minute breakouts (some repeat)
2:00 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. 30-minute roundtable breakouts
3:00 p.m. Break
3:10 p.m. 30-minute breakouts
3:40 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m. 30-minute breakouts (some repeat)
5:00 p.m. Reception
5:45 p.m. Dinner and keynote program
8:30 p.m. Evening entertainment
11:00 p.m. Close of evening entertainment
Every Acre Counts: Maximizing Your Farm’s Profitability — VanDyk Center A-1
Seth Earl, U.S. Department of Agriculture District Conservationist and Mason County Farm Bureau President
Dive deep into total farm profit by utilizing non-farmed acres for supplemental revenue. Learn how government programs can boost bottom-line profitability and cost-assistance for adopting on-farm technology. (A.M. ONLY)
GreenStone Farm Finance 1 (tiered) — VanDyk Center A-2
Content coming soon. (A.M. ONLY)
Bringing Accurate Ag Books Alive — VanDyk Center A-3
Michelle Blodgett, Michigan Ag in the Classroom Manager; Alexis Feldpausch, MAITC Specialist; and Katie Blashill, St. Clair County FB
Explore ag-accurate books, complementing lesson ideas and hands-on activities to bring agriculture to life for your K-5 students. Topics include pollinators, school gardens, poultry and eggs, dairy and more. We will also discuss tactics for connecting with schools in your community. (A.M. ONLY)
Understanding Culture, Access and Belonging in Agriculture — Delta Hotel Muskegon Lake
Dr. Quentin Tyler, MSU Extension Director; Dr. Antomia Farrell, MSU College of Ag and Natural Resources Office of Culture, Access and Belonging Director; and Beth Stuever, MSU Extension Director of Public Affairs
Equitable and inclusive communication is key to effectively addressing contemporary challenges requiring your leadership. This session offers a fresh perspective on culture, access and belonging, including best practices and an opportunity to learn and grow through scenarios similar to what leaders nationwide are experiencing. (A.M. ONLY)
Celebrate Your Farm’s Legacy: Methods for Preserving and Honoring Your Farm Family Story — Delta Hotel Mona Lake
Emily Klingbeil, Green Meadow Farms
Learn how Michigan’s centennial farm families tell their story and document their farms’ history. Hear how to get involved in local history initiatives, connect with your community and preserve your older farm buildings. Bring your farm’s history to life and celebrate its place in your community! (A.M. ONLY)
Equipment Loss Prevention: Safety and Preventative Maintenance (tiered) — Delta Hotel Twin Lake
Tom Piepkow, Farm Bureau Insurance Risk & Safety Management Representative
Explore crucial strategies for farm safety and preventative maintainence. Reduce losses in equipment like combines, choppers, skid steers and loaders. Equip yourself with insights for protecting your resources and ensuring a safer, more productive harvest.
Planning and Zoning’s Impact on Your Community — Delta Hotel White Lake
Ryan Coffey Hoag, MSU Extension Newaygo County Land Use Educator
Learn about the process and importance of planning and zoning decisions in local communities. Attendees will then apply these principles in short, hands-on exercises that mimic participation in the process, ending with practical options and encouragement to engage in and lead local policy. (A.M. ONLY)
Crop and Soil Management — VanDyk Ballroom D
Content coming soon. (A.M. ONLY)
Necropsy Philosophy: Getting the Most Out of Death — VanDyk Center A-1
Dodd Sledge, DVM, PhD, DACVP, MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Veterinarians and farmers know death is part of life – and an opportunity to investigate what diseases may have been present in life. Necropsies are powerful tools to help farmers confront and manage disease within herds or evaluate how to improve animal care. Still, necropsies have limitations. This session will address why a necropsy may be recommended, what you should and shouldn’t expect to learn, and the role veterinarians play in interpreting and using the information necropsies provide. (P.M. ONLY)
Community Connections with Agriculture — VanDyk Center A-3
Alysa Sanford and Tiffany Howell, MFB State Promotion & Education Committee
Explore innovative ways to connect with your community and foster a deeper appreciation for agriculture. County Farm Bureaus significantly enhanced their outreach efforts this year, forging stronger connections with local consumers. Delve into these successful projects, harvest your peers’ valuable insights, and learn how to adapt these initiatives to boost your own community engagement! (P.M. ONLY)
When They Marry You for Your Benefits, and Not Just Health Insurance — Delta Hotel Muskegon Lake
Cathy McCune, Isabella County FB President
Explore the unique and vital roles farm spouses play in the farm’s success and sustainability. We'll discuss balancing family life with farm responsibilities, managing the unexpected, and being the right support to keep the operation running smoothly. We’ll share experiences, strategies and a few laughs about the challenges and rewards of being a true partner in life and business. (P.M. ONLY)
Diversify Farm Profits with Agritourism — Delta Hotel Mona Lake
Nicole Zaagman, Parkside Farm and Kent County FB Board Member
Agritourism was a foreign concept when Parkside Farm began in 2021, but in just three years it’s evolved into an eight-acre ag destination! Learn ways to diversify your farm profits with offerings such as overnight stays, ag education, farm markets and tours. Nicole will share her best practices and inspire participants to take risks, set goals and persevere to achieve new prosperity through agritourism. (P.M. ONLY)
Economics and Marketing — VanDyk Ballroom D
Content coming soon. (P.M. ONLY)
Roundtable discussions allow for unstructured, open dialogue with other member peers on topics important to you all.
Life in Sync: Achieving Balance Together
Explore the concept of life balance in a supportive, collaborative environment. This session encourages participants to share their personal experiences, challenges and strategies for creating harmony in both your life’s work and relationships. Join in to seek advice, offer insights or just connect with others along your journey.
Promotion & Education: Connecting and Impacting Your Local Communities
Come share strategies for effective community outreach and enhancing consumer engagement. Connect with other members over their recent events and brainstorm new ways to foster agricultural education in your community.
Sowing Seeds of Change: Returning to the Family Farm
Share stories, challenges and innovative ideas for tackling what can sometimes be both a financial and personal struggle to return to the family farm. Come ready to engage, ask questions and contribute to a vibrant conversation about the future of farming and the legacies we carry forward.
Members Become Movers: Empowering Involvement
Come together as Farm Bureau members to discuss how best to foster a culture of active engagement. Use this opportunity to discover how to enhance participation, empower members to take on leadership roles, and increase volunteerism.
Nourishing Communities: Tackling Hunger and Food Access
Engage in dynamic discussion about food security and local-level Harvest for All initiatives. Work together to devise new ways for fighting food insecurity in your community.
From Farm to Market: The Value-Added Advantage
Investigate how to enhance your products — whether through processing, packaging or branding — to capture higher prices and highten consumer interest. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to value-added ventures, come ready to exchange ideas and gain valuable insights into maximizing your products’ potential and boost your bottom line!
Agritainment Marketing
Join the fun with like-minded peers and discover how to offer effective agricultural activities that engage customers and attract repeat business. Dive into marketing, logistics and sustainability in this discussion around a fast-growing market.
Row Crop Marketing
Exchange effective strategies, tools and resources for marketing staple row crops like corn and soybeans. Learn what your fellow farmers are be doing to increase their bottom lines with the latest digital marketing tools.
From the Field to Lansing: Where Policy Intersects With Your Farm — VanDyk Center A-1
MFB Staff: Pierce Bennett, Industry Relations Specialist; Nancy Nyquist, Policy Specialist; Rebecca Park, Legislative Counsel; Theresa Sisung, Industry Relations Specialist
MFB staff specialists will provide timely updates on Michigan-specific livestock and crop issues, with a focus on legislative measures impacting your farm business. This is your chance to get better informed about vital issues and legislative changes that could affect your operation.
Navigating the Lending Process to Help Grow Your Business — VanDyk Center A-2
Jonathan LaPorte, MSU Extension Farm Business Management Educator
What benefits do loans really provide your farm business? How do you prepare to apply? What doe lenders look for when reviewing a loan request? Get theses answers and better understand how loans can help grow your farm business. (3:10 P.M. ONLY)
Come Build with Us! — VanDyk Center A-3
Katie Cooper, MFB Promotion & Education Specialist; Cody Baker, Michigan Ag in the Classroom Regional Ag Educator, Michelle Blodgett, MAITC Manager
From fairs to classrooms to Projects RED, you’ll find new and revamped hands-on activities for your local outreach programming, and return home with examples of fun new make-and-takes. Let's build together!
Agent Engagement: Working Together to End Hunger — Delta Hotel Muskegon Lake
Persis Sopariwala, Agent Charitable Fund Manager and Angela Shannon, Farm Bureau Insurance Agent
Eager to fight hunger in your community? Learn how to magnify your Harvest for All efforts by collaborating with local Farm Bureau Insurance agents! This session covers several ways your Family of Companies fights hunger, and how building relationships with local agents can help you connect with resources and boost your hunger-relief efforts. (3:10 P.M. ONLY)
Farm Labor: Thinking Outside the Box — Delta Hotel Mona Lake
Emily Klingbeil, Great Lakes Ag Labor Services Account Manager
Farm labor is nothing but hot topics. Learn how to address challenges in finding, keeping and managing farm labor, including the H-2A temporary worker program. Collaborate on best practices and resources for effective team development.
Your Grocery List for Mental Health, Sane Farming and Volunteer Retention — Delta Hotel Twin Lake
Sarah Zastrow, Cultivate Balance and Midland County FB Board Member
Stabilize mood swings and afternoon crashes while balancing out lulls and ensuring everyone has the fuel to be at their best, whether on the farm, in the classroom or during a county FB event! Whether you're wrangling toddlers or seniors, learn how your grocery list impacts on your mental health.
Farm-to-Consumer Directory Building — Delta Hotel White Lake
Katie Christie, Barry County FB Promotion & Education Chair
In December 2023, Barry County FB launched its consumer-friendly farm directory. Stop in to explore website setup, data gathering, listing management, directory promotion and the challenges and accomplishments faced through the process. (3:10 P.M. ONLY)
Farm Safety and Fire Rescue: Protecting Michigan's Ag Community — VanDyk Center Ballroom D
Jonathon Degen, Rural Rescue Educators
Join us to discuss the crucial importance of farm safety and the role of local fire departments in farm rescues. Through real-life case studies and practical recommendations, we’ll empower attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance farm safety and improve emergency response capabilities in Michigan's farm sector.
YF Awards Workshop
MFB Staff and State Young Farmer Committee Members
Unsure how to start applying for a Young Farmer award? Have an application started but want to polish your answers? Drop in to work with State Young Farmer Committee members and Michigan Farm Bureau staff eager to help whip your application into shape. (Applications are due March 12, 2025.)
Alternatives to Financial Recordkeeping Software — VanDyk Center A-2
Corey Clark, MSU Extension Farm Business Management Educator
As the landscape of financial software evolves, it’s important to critically evaluate our options. In this session we’ll compare common packages, including QuickBooks Online and PC Mars. We’ll compare their relative strengths and weaknesses, and explore how to exploit their fullest potential. (4:00 P.M. ONLY)
Hearing Loss Prevention and Hearing Safety — Delta Hotel Muskegon Lake
Todd McMullen, Great Hearing Benefits Director Managed Care Strategy and Sales
Can you hear me? Join Great Hearing Benefits as they share important information about hearing loss on the farm, including exposure points and damage thresholds. Learn ways to mitigate risk using proper hearing protection. (4:00 P.M. ONLY)
Bringing the Farm to School: Child Nutrition Market Opportunities — Delta Hotel White Lake
Cheyenne Liberti, Michigan Department of Education Farm to Program Consultant
Did you know every public school in Michigan can receive grant funds to buy Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables and dry beans? Learn how the 10 Cents a Meal Program can support Michigan farmers – and how to build your capacity to launch or grow these marketing efforts. Experts from MDE, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, and MSU Extension will answer your questions and help you connect with schools and childcare centers. (4:00 P.M. ONLY)
7:00 a.m. Registration opens
7:00 a.m. Devotions
8:15 a.m. Breakfast for workshop attendees
9:15 a.m. Workshop sessions — must register in advance
Real Colors Assessment
Betty Jo Krosnicki, MSU Extension Supervising Educator
Participants in this session will take a brief assessment to help them uncover their dominant “color.” Then we’ll dig deeper to learn how your temperament influences your communication, leadership style, interpersonal skills, teamwork, relationships, goal setting, learning preferences, and how you approach their work.
Communication Strategies to Inspire Trust and Confidence
Donna Moenning, Center for Food Integrity Senior Director
Today, more than ever, interest in food goes beyond taste, nutrition and price. Consumers want to know how and where their food is produced, who produces it, and its impact on people, animals and the planet. This session unpacks consumer trends impacting food and agriculture, and provides communication strategies to address your most challenging questions and help you inspire trust and confidence.
Trey Malone, Purdue University Boehlje Endowed Chair for Managerial Economics in Agribusiness
Content coming soon.
Michael H. McKeown, Partner at McKeown Kraai Professional, CPAs
Content coming soon.
Around the World in Agriculture
Chris Koch, Keynote Speaker
Join adventurer, farmer and agricultural advocate Chris Koch on a journey to explore farming practices around the world. From lush rice paddies in Southeast Asia to the Australia’s vast wheat fields, Chris has gained unique insights into diverse agricultural landscapes.
In this engaging session, Chris shares his firsthand experiences and offers a global perspective on farming that can enhance North American agriculture. Through his travels, he has observed innovative techniques, traditional methods and the endless challenges faced by farmers in regions around the globe. He’ll share how these observations can enrich our understanding and critical thinking about agriculture right here at home.