Learn, network and have fun with the future of agriculture
February 27-March 1, 2026 | Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo
Specifically tailored to the needs and interests of Farm Bureau’s up-and-coming generation, helping ages 18-35 to grow their peer network. Industry experts and savvy advisors equip attendees with skills and resources to set the stage for confidence and success in mastering the business, technological and industry-specific issues challenging Michigan agriculture.
Registration is currently closed.
AGENDA
10am Registration Opens
11am Young Farmer County Chair Luncheon
11:30am Collegiate Luncheon
1pm Tours & Experiences Depart
6pm Tour & Experience Dinners
8pm All-Attendee Welcome Reception
Wrap up your Friday night at our 90’s County Fair–themed Welcome Reception from 8–10 p.m. after tours and dinner. Reconnect with old friends, make a few new ones, and enjoy carnival-style games, appetizers, and a cash bar.
Whether you come straight from dinner or dress for the fair, feel free to dust off your denim, dig out your throwback tees, and bring your blue-ribbon style — this is a relaxed, come-as-you-are night with a little extra fun woven in.
Tours
The Blueberry Crawl
See the blueberry process from bush to berry. Attendees will visit with the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association and a local blueberry farm. MBG is the largest grower-owned marketer of fresh and value-added processed cultivated blueberries in the world. MBG offers its members access to a proprietary breeding program, along with services and resources, ranging from technological, packaging, and logistical support to an all-inclusive food safety and social compliance program. Hear from blueberry industry experts and tour the breeding program, receiving station, and shipping point.
Brookside Farms is a sixth-generation blueberry farm in Southwest Michigan. Tour a packing facility and see how they adapt technology to their blueberry packing lines. You’ll also hear how the farm uses that technology in the field and see a drone truck setup and demo. Tour the farm's retail store and bakery and learn about their direct-to-consumer business. Brookside offers a blueberry u-pick, a retail store, and a full bakery, selling pies, cookies, donuts, and a host of blueberry products!
Wrap up the day with a tour of a local winery and group dinner in Kalamazoo.
Barns, Brews & Beyond: A Full-Circle Dairy Tour
Learn more about Michigan’s dairy sector in this feed-to-fork tour with the Schaendorf cattle company. The Schaendorf family has been farming in West Michigan for three generations. In 1994, John Schaendorf and his family purchased an 80-acre dairy farm in Hopkins. In 2016, John and his son, Ben began Schaendorf Cattle Co. The two realized the need for a transparent business model that was able to communicate food processes from start-to-finish to customers and distributors.
The tour begins at the family’s dairy farm where participants will meet at the robotic milking parlor and get an inside look at the full-circle operation, including a dairy-beef facility, methane digesters, high oleic soybean roasting and grain storage, and custom farming operation. The tour will end at the Schaendorf Brewing Company, their farm-to-table restaurant and brew pub, where attendees will tour the brewery and eat a delicious meal sourced from the farm they toured.
Experiences
Grain Bin Rescue and Emergency Response Training
Get hands-on training with SATRA on the dangers of flowing grain. In this training, participants will have the opportunity to experience a live grain engulfment/rescue scenario as well as cover important topics such as safe bin entry, auger entanglement, and entrapment hazards. Additionally, participants will work closely with local firefighters and EMS workers on trauma, bleed control, CPR, and emergency planning training. For the engulfment, ensure to wear clothes that can get dusty.
Local Food, Local Impact
Spend the day giving your time to local communities in need while volunteering, networking, and learning more about local food systems.
Tour participants will visit ValleyHUB, the largest network of buying and selling opportunities for local food in Southwest Michigan. ValleyHUB connects producers and buyers through local matchmaking and logistics, including aggregation, fresh-cut processing, marketing, and delivery. Learn more about how they work with farmers and suppliers to add value to farm products.
Participants will also spend a portion of the tour volunteering at Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes began in 1982 through the collaborative efforts of several downtown churches and human service-minded individuals. Today, KLF has grown to be the largest charitable food assistance organization in Kalamazoo County and the largest independent food bank in Michigan. They serve over 38,000 individuals each year. and provide an average of 850 people with groceries each day, distributing food to over 95 different locations.
After, the group will kick back and enjoy each other’s company at a local brewery.
Up, Up & Away: Exploring the Kalamazoo Air Zoo
Visit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo! Home to dozens of exhibits, amusement park-style rides, flight simulators, and educational activities. Open to all ages, this experience will take you through several riveting historical exhibits featuring Amelia Earhart, the Air Zoo story, D-Day, Apollo 11, as well as women in aviation and space. There is something for everyone at this location!
Shop and Explore
Explore downtown Kalamazoo area highlights within walking distance of the hotel including restaurants, boutiques, and craft breweries.
- Kalamazoo Antiques Market | Michigan Schedule 2025 Updated (open 10am-5pm)
- this is a bookstore & Bookbug (open 9am-9pm)
- Cafe — Bell's Brewery (open 11am-11pm)
- Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (open 11am-5pm)
- Discover Kalamazoo — Food and Drink
- Kalamazoo Burger Places & Sandwich Shops
- Downtown Kalamazoo Mall
Use this opportunity to personalize your experience and create lasting memories with others.
7:30am Registration Opens
7:45am Breakfast (program from 8:30am to 9:15am)
9:30-10:30am District Meetings
10:30-11am Break
11-11:45am Breakout Sessions — Round 1
11:45am Lunch (program from 12:30pm to 1:15pm)
- Pull up a chair and join us over lunch for a fireside chat with Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross, hosted by 2025 SYFC Chair, Riley Brazo. President LaCross will share his Young Farmer story and offer insight into how Young Farmer programming helped shape his leadership journey and continues to open doors for members today. Attendees will also have a chance to help steer the conversation by submitting questions prior to this interactive discussion.
1:30-2:15pm Breakout Sessions — Round 2
2:15-2:30pm Break
2:30-3:15pm Breakout Sessions — Round 3
3:15-3:30pm Break
3:30-4:00pm Breakout Sessions — Round 4
4-4:15 p.m. Break
4:15-4:45pm Breakout Sessions — Round 5 (some repeated)
5-5:45pm Reception
6pm Dinner, Evening Entertainment (program from 6:30pm to 9:30pm)
- From his training grounds in Las Vegas at 19 to hypnotizing producers behind the scenes of America's Got Talent in 2017, Jon Wayes has hypnotized virtually every event type from sunny California to Niagara Falls, New York. Forget clucking chickens, that's child's play. In fact, forget what you THINK you know about hypnosis because Jon will have your peers reading foreign languages in flawless English AND give the audience the power to steer the show from their phones. The irony of Jon's "Cliche Hypnosis Experience"? It delivers everything other than the cliche hypnosis you'd expect. Get ready to laugh!
5 Ways to use Artificial Intelligence on Your Operation — Prairies 4 & 5
Loren King, Digital Marketing Supervisor, AI + Insights
AI is everywhere these days, bringing both positives and challenging concerns. But beneath the noise is real opportunity to deal with some of the most challenging parts of your work on the farm. From staying informed about market trends to analyzing your farm data for insights, this session will give you the tools you need to make AI a real, functioning part of your work. We'll focus on regaining time in your day, automating some of those repetitive tasks and augmenting your industry knowledge so you can focus on what matters most.
Balance Sheet Deep Dive: A Hands-On Financial Workshop — Glens 1 & 2
Courtney Ross, Cultivate Growth Program Manager, GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Unlock the power of your balance sheet in this hands-on workshop designed to help you understand, interpret, and improve your farm’s financial position. You’ll learn how to read your balance sheet with confidence and use it to make informed strategic decisions.
From Ground to Gut Health — Meadows
Sarah Zastrow, Certified Exercise Physiologist, Body Mechanics Rehab & Wellness , LLC & State Young Farmer Committee Chair
Explore the connection between soil health, crop production, and human nutrition — and why it matters beyond the field. This session will help farmers better understand how soil management practices influence food quality, consumer interest, and market opportunities. Participants will gain practical insights they can use to strengthen on-farm storytelling, improve social media and consumer conversations, and highlight the value of agriculture in a way that resonates with today’s buyers.
Cover Your Legacy: Life Insurance for Young Farmers — Great Lakes 4 & 5
Kris Reigler, Life & Annuity Development Specialist
Starting or growing your farm takes grit, passion, and planning — but what about securing its future? In this panel discussion, young farmers will hear from experts on how life insurance can be a simple yet powerful tool in farm succession planning. Whether you’re taking over the family operation or building your farm from the ground up, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to protect your land, your legacy, and your loved ones for the next generation.
Ag for All Ages: Engaging Consumers Through Promotion & Education — Great Lakes 2 & 3
Tonia Ritter, Promotion & Education Manager and Katie Cooper, Promotion & Education Specialist
Explore hands-on ways to engage all ages through FARM Crates, the FARM Science Programs, Project REDs, hands-on activities, and our Real Farmers, Real Answers booth in a box.
YF Awards & Champion of Excellence Application Assistance — Glens 3
State Young Farmer Committee Members & MFB Staff
Applying for a Young Farmer Award & Champion of Excellence Young Farmer County Award can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to! In this hands-on session, past award winners will help you break down the process, brainstorm your ideas, and start crafting your story. Bring your laptop and spend time talking through your experiences, identifying what makes your operation or leadership unique, and developing real progress on your application. You’ll leave with more confidence, clarity, and a solid start toward a standout submission.
Market Movers & Policy Shakers: A Panel on Livestock, Crops, and Ag Policy Trends — Prairies 4 & 5
Theresa Sisung, Industry Relations Specialist, Crops; Rebecca Park, Legislative Counsel; Pierce Bennett, Industry Relations Specialist, Livestock
Get the inside scoop straight from the experts! This panel discussion features Michigan Farm Bureau staff specializing in livestock, crops, and the policies that impact both. Hear the latest on market trends, hot topics, and legislative updates shaping the future of agriculture. Whether you raise livestock, grow feed crops, or want to stay informed on issues affecting your farm, this session will equip you with insights to navigate today’s ever-changing ag landscape.
Beyond the Loan: Cultivating a Long-Term Partnership with Your Lender — Glens 1 & 2
Courtney Ross, Cultivate Growth Program Manager, GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Your lender should be one of your most valuable business allies. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to cultivate a strong, future-oriented relationship that builds trust. Whether you're preparing for your first loan or strengthening an existing partnership, you'll walk away with practical tools you can use.
Ready for Visitors? A Checklist for Farm Ventures — Meadows
Ray Heisler, Risk & Safety Management, Farm Bureau Insurance
Before the first customer steps on your farm, are you ready? From parking and signage to stand placement and promotions, this session offers a practical checklist for launching value-added ventures like farm stands, pumpkin patches, cut flowers, or on-farm events. Learn from common pitfalls and leave confident in protecting both your farm and your future.
Boxed, Bottled, or Bagged: Making Packaging Work for Your Products! — Great Lakes 4 & 5
Panel of Young Farmers
Packaging plays a critical role in the success of value-added farm products. This panel will explore how to think through packaging decisions—from food safety and regulations to cost, branding, and customer appeal. Panelists will share how they’ve evaluated options, what they’ve learned along the way, and how packaging choices can evolve as products grow. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical insight into selecting packaging that fits their product, market, and operation.
Above & Beyond: Taking Your Farm Operations to New Heights — Great Lakes 2 & 3
Bryan and Kaitlynn Hammis, Owners of Flying Acres Ag, LLC
Thinking about adding a drone to your farm toolkit but not sure where to begin? This session breaks down the rules, regulations, and real-world applications of farm-based drone use—without letting the details fly over your head. Learn what features matter most for agriculture, how to choose a drone that fits your operation (big or small), and what you need to know to stay compliant while capturing data from above. Whether you're scouting fields, checking livestock, or just curious about the buzz, this session will help you make smarter decisions before you buy or launch.
YF Awards & Champion of Excellence Application Assistance — Glens 3
State Young Farmer Committee Members & MFB Staff
Applying for a Young Farmer Award & Champion of Excellence Young Farmer County Award can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to! In this hands-on session, past award winners will help you break down the process, brainstorm your ideas, and start crafting your story. Bring your laptop and spend time talking through your experiences, identifying what makes your operation or leadership unique, and developing real progress on your application. You’ll leave with more confidence, clarity, and a solid start toward a standout submission.
Do's and Don'ts of Venison Donation Events — Prairies 4 & 5
Ben Butcher, Harvest for All & Agent Charitable Fund SYFC member; Matt Gibson, District 1 & Vice Chair SYFC member; & Sarah Pion, District 1 Regional Manager
Venison events are gaining momentum across Michigan as counties look for ways to engage members, support local communities, and address deer management challenges. In this session, hear from Young Farmers and Venison Task Force members Ben Butcher, Matt Gibson, and Sarah Pion as they share the do’s and don’ts of hosting Doe Derbies and venison donation drives, lessons learned from Kalamazoo County’s successful event, and how these projects tie into Harvest for All and statewide priorities. Whether your county is considering its first venison event or looking to take existing efforts to the next level, you’ll leave with practical tools and fresh ideas to grow impact at home.
Why Cover Crops Matter — Glens 1 & 2
Lisa Woodke, Sustainability Director, Star of the West
Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful farm, and cover crops are one of the most effective tools to protect and improve it. This session explores why understanding cover crops is essential for the next generation of farmers—helping you build soil health, manage nutrients, increase resilience, and prepare your operation for changing markets and weather patterns. Learn how cover crops can strengthen both your land and your bottom line for years to come.
Harvesting Good Help: Farmer-Tested Tips for Domestic & H2A Workforce Success — Meadows
Labor is one of the biggest challenges facing farms of every size. This farmer-led discussion dives into the practical side of managing a team — whether you hire local employees, seasonal H-2A workers, or both. We’ll talk about onboarding, training, housing, compliance, conflict resolution, and how to create a work environment that keeps people coming back. If you’ve ever wished you could pick another farmer’s brain about labor issues, this is the place to do it.
Greenhouse Panel Inside the Greenhouse — Great Lakes 4 & 5
Panel of Young Farmer Members
Join a panel of greenhouse professionals from different backgrounds and experience levels as they share lessons learned, industry trends, and what it really takes to succeed in today’s greenhouse operations. This discussion offers an open look at challenges, opportunities, and practical takeaways, with time built in for audience questions.
Grain Marketing — Great Lakes 2 & 3
Round Table Discussion
Pull up a chair and join the conversation. This roundtable brings farmers together for open, peer-to-peer discussion on grain marketing — prices, timing, basis, storage decisions, risk management, and everything in between. There’s no formal presentation and no single “right” strategy, just honest conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and how different operations are navigating today’s markets. Come ready to share your experience, ask questions, and learn from others facing the same decisions.
YF Awards & Champion of Excellence Application Assistance — Glens 3
State Young Farmer Committee Members & MFB Staff
Applying for a Young Farmer Award & Champion of Excellence Young Farmer County Award can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to! In this hands-on session, past award winners will help you break down the process, brainstorm your ideas, and start crafting your story. Bring your laptop and spend time talking through your experiences, identifying what makes your operation or leadership unique, and developing real progress on your application. You’ll leave with more confidence, clarity, and a solid start toward a standout submission.
Making Health Care Decisions That Fit Your Farm — Prairies 4 & 5
Cheri Burk & Florencia Colella, MSU Extension
Health care and insurance choices can feel overwhelming — and the wrong fit can strain both your family and your operation. This session focuses on understanding health care and health insurance options available to farm families and how to evaluate what truly fits your situation. Attendees will learn how to ask the right questions, compare coverage options, and plan ahead so health care decisions support, rather than disrupt, their farm and family goals.
Turning Good into Great: Sustainable Tweaks for Everyday Farming — Glens 1 & 2
Lisa Woodke, Sustainability Director, Star of the West
Today’s markets, consumers, and communities increasingly value how food is produced — and sustainability is at the center of that story. This session unpacks the “why” behind sustainable agriculture, showing how practices that protect the planet and support people can also strengthen your profit. Explore how small, sustainable tweaks in your everyday management can add up to big results—building long-term resilience and value for your farm’s future.
Proof is in the Dough: Getting Started with On-Farm Food — Meadows
Nate Gust, Co-Owner of Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm
Thinking about adding an on-farm bakery or food offering? This session focuses on the foundational steps of launching on-farm food and agritourism. Learn what regulations, food safety requirements, and permits you need to navigate, along with common startup pitfalls to avoid. This breakout is ideal for farmers who are curious about on-farm food but want clarity before investing time or capital.
Stronger FFA Chapters = Stronger Communities — Great Lakes 4 & 5
Jasmine McNary, Sanilac Career Center Agriscience Educator; Chase Bos, Newatygo County CTC Agriscience Educator; & Samantha Bos, Coopersville High School Agriscience Educator
Join local agriscience teachers for a panel discussion on the many ways Farm Bureau members can connect with and support their local FFA chapters. Panelists will offer insight into where the greatest needs exist and how members can meaningfully engage — whether through time, expertise, or encouragement. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from teachers about what truly makes an impact in their classrooms and programs.
Policy Development Round Table — Great Lakes 2 & 3
Round Table Discussion
From the field to the Capitol, your voice matters. Join a peer-led discussion where young farmers trade experiences and advice on engaging in policy at every level—county, state, and national. Hear how others are identifying issues, crafting solutions, and getting involved through Farm Bureau, and leave inspired to take your next step in shaping the future of agriculture.
YF Awards & Champion of Excellence Application Assistance — Glens 3
State Young Farmer Committee Members & MFB Staff
Applying for a Young Farmer Award & Champion of Excellence Young Farmer County Award can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to! In this hands-on session, past award winners will help you break down the process, brainstorm your ideas, and start crafting your story. Bring your laptop and spend time talking through your experiences, identifying what makes your operation or leadership unique, and developing real progress on your application. You’ll leave with more confidence, clarity, and a solid start toward a standout submission.
Budgeting Health Insurance into the Farm Business — Prairies 4 & 5
Cheri Burk & Florencia Colella, MSU Extension
Once coverage decisions are made, they still need to work financially. This session dives into how health care and insurance costs impact the farm budget and long-term planning. Attendees will explore strategies for incorporating premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, and risk management into their overall farm plan—especially during periods of transition, growth, or family change.
Bridging the Gap: Confident Conversations with Today’s Consumers — Glens 1 & 2
Tonia Ritter, Promotion & Education Manager and Katie Cooper, Promotion & Education Specialist
Today’s consumers are surrounded by competing messages about food, health, and modern agriculture—creating curiosity, confusion, and concern. This session will unpack current public narratives and provide practical tools and credible resources to help young farmers communicate with confidence, clarity, and consistency. Attendees will leave better equipped to build trust and foster meaningful connections in everyday conversations.
From Dough to Destination: Building a Profitable On-Farm Food Experience — Meadows
Nate Gust, Co-Owner of Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm
Ready to go beyond the basics? This session builds on the foundation and dives into branding, customer experience, pricing, and profitability for on-farm food operations. Learn how to create an inviting experience that keeps customers coming back, aligns with your farm’s values, and actually adds value to your bottom line. Whether you’re refining an existing offering or planning your next step, this breakout focuses on making on-farm food work strategically for your business.
More than Attendance: Creating Real YF Involvement — Great Lakes 4 & 5
Panel of MFB Regional Managers and County YF Chairs
If you’ve ever struggled to get young farmers to show up — and stay involved — this session is for you. Panelists will share practical approaches that have helped turn limited participation into real engagement, ownership, and leadership. From how opportunities are communicated to how roles are structured, this conversation will focus on what actually resonates with young farmers today. Attendees will leave with ideas they can apply immediately to build stronger connections, create momentum, and grow sustained involvement.
Value-Added Round Table — Great Lakes 2 & 3
Round Table Discussion
Looking to do more with what your farm already produces? Join this interactive discussion to trade ideas, challenges, and lessons learned about making the most of what you already produce — and explore how adding value can grow your farm’s future.
YF Awards & Champion of Excellence Application Assistance — Glens 3
State Young Farmer Committee Members & MFB Staff
Applying for a Young Farmer Award & Champion of Excellence Young Farmer County Award can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to! In this hands-on session, past award winners will help you break down the process, brainstorm your ideas, and start crafting your story. Bring your laptop and spend time talking through your experiences, identifying what makes your operation or leadership unique, and developing real progress on your application. You’ll leave with more confidence, clarity, and a solid start toward a standout submission.
7am Registration Opens
7:30am Devotions
8:15am Breakfast for Workshop Attendees
9:15am Workshops — Must register in advance, $35 no-show fee
Too Many Deer, Not Enough Answers: Managing Michigan’s Deer Challenge — Prairies 4 & 5
Deer pressure isn’t new — but the scale and impact on farms today is. This workshop explores how Michigan’s deer population reached its current levels, what that means for crop loss and farm management right now, and where solutions need to go next. Participants will learn practical ways farmers can work with local resources, use available tools, and determine what data, reporting, and on-farm practices make sense for their operation. The session focuses on building relationships, understanding options, and turning frustration into informed action — so farmers can be part of shaping the path forward.
Grain Gains: Market Planning 101 — Glens 1 & 2
Jon LaPorte, MSU Extension
Today’s consumers are surrounded by competing messages about food, health, and modern agriculture — creating curiosity, confusion, and concern. This session will unpack current public narratives and provide practical tools and credible resources to help young farmers communicate with confidence, clarity, and consistency. Attendees will leave better equipped to build trust and foster meaningful connections in everyday conversations.
From Overwhelmed to On Purpose — Great Lakes 4 & 5
Jackie Sanford, District 2 Associate Regional Manager & Chris Sanford, District 2 State Young Farmer Committee Member
This session helps farmers step back from day-to-day chaos and use their calendar as a strategic planning tool. Participants will work through a year-at-a-glance calendar to identify non-negotiables — family commitments, peak farm seasons, employee needs, and work obligations — then intentionally build the rest of the year around those priorities.
Led by two farmer-entrepreneurs who operate Sanford Family Beef, a freezer beef business, while working full-time and raising a family, this breakout focuses on practical systems that support both farm performance and personal balance. Attendees will leave with a clearer view of their year, better alignment between daily decisions and long-term goals, and a planning process they can reuse season after season.
Farm Succession Planning for Young Farmers — Meadows
Round Table Discussion
Succession planning starts long before a transition happens. This workshop is designed for young farmers who want to better understand their role in the future of their farm or operation. Participants will explore the basics of succession planning, including communication across generations, aligning personal and business goals, and preparing for increased leadership and responsibility. Whether a plan is in place or the conversation is just beginning, this session helps young farmers take confident steps toward what’s next.
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