Saturday, January 23, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Jeff Lucas, Executive Director, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance
Whether you're just getting started with conservation or looking to take the next step, knowing where to begin and who to call can make all the difference. In this session, Jeff will introduce the Conservation Compass, a tool that helps farmers understand where they are in their conservation journey, identify their next step, and build confidence in what comes next. Catherine will then share the Iowa Conservation Professionals Map, a new resource that connects farmers and landowners with Iowa's workforce of 70+ non-federal conservation professionals who help site, fund, and implement practices that protect water, soil, and habitat, all at no cost. Leave knowing your next step and the people ready to help you take it.
This session will cover key nutrition strategies that can help young producers improve herd performance and make the most of their feed resources. Bring your questions and leave with ideas you can put to work on your operation.
Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles for anyone starting or growing a farm. Callie will walk through the loan programs designed to help beginning farmers get established. She'll cover options for buying land, purchasing equipment and livestock, and covering operating expenses. Learn who qualifies, what the application process looks like, and how to prepare before you walk into your local FSA office. Whether you're buying your first acres or looking to expand, you'll leave with a clear understanding of the resources available to help you take the next step.
Nate Gebel, Developing Markets Officer, Farm Credit Services of America
Reiny Ostrander, Developing Markets Officer, Farm Credit Services of America
Growth opportunities can come quickly, but can your operation financially handle the next move? In this ‘choose your own adventure’ hands-on session, producers will explore how decisions such as renting more acres, taking over from the senior generation, expanding a livestock herd, purchasing land or machinery, losing off-farm income, or navigating a change in commodity prices can affect the entire operation. Using a realistic farm scenario, participants will examine the impact of each decision on cash flow, working capital, and equity. You’ll leave with a stronger understanding of how to look beyond the opportunity itself, ask better financial questions, and determine whether your next move will build long-term strength or create financial stress.
Knowing something is wrong is the first step. Knowing what to say is the next. In Part 2, Hannah walks through each step of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) with real examples from rural communities. You’ll leave ready to start a hard conversation, offer hope, and connect someone to help. Attendees who complete both sessions will receive a QPR Gatekeeper certificate.
Kids in foster care thrive when they can stay connected to their schools, friends, and hometowns, and rural Iowa needs families ready to help. Emily Easton, a former foster parent and Recruitment & Retention Manager with Four Oaks, shares what fostering really looks like, who can do it, and how farm life can offer the stability and routine kids need. Whether you're ready to open your home or looking for other ways to make a difference, you'll leave with a clear picture of where to start.
Have the conversation before it gets harder. Whether you're working with family on the farm, coworkers, landlords, employees, or fellow board members, the conversations we avoid have a way of following us. In this session, Rachel Eslick will share practical tools for communicating expectations, addressing tension, and navigating difficult conversations while protecting the relationships that matter most. You'll learn to recognize the cost of putting off important conversations, share feedback more clearly, and handle disagreement without getting defensive or shutting down. Leave ready to build stronger relationships through earlier, more intentional communication.
From toxic plants and junk in the pasture to high-nitrate forages, fertilizers, insecticides, and blue-green algae in the pond, toxic exposures can strike a cattle herd quickly and often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Join a veterinary toxicologist from the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to learn about some of the most common toxicology risks facing Iowa cattle operations, the warning signs to watch for, and practical prevention strategies. You’ll also learn how diagnostic testing can help protect your herd and your bottom line.
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1. Charting Your Conservation Course: Know Your Next Step and Who Can Help
Catherine DeLong, Water Quality Program Manager, Iowa State University Extension and OutreachJeff Lucas, Executive Director, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance
Whether you're just getting started with conservation or looking to take the next step, knowing where to begin and who to call can make all the difference. In this session, Jeff will introduce the Conservation Compass, a tool that helps farmers understand where they are in their conservation journey, identify their next step, and build confidence in what comes next. Catherine will then share the Iowa Conservation Professionals Map, a new resource that connects farmers and landowners with Iowa's workforce of 70+ non-federal conservation professionals who help site, fund, and implement practices that protect water, soil, and habitat, all at no cost. Leave knowing your next step and the people ready to help you take it.
2. Feeding for Success: Beef Nutrition Essentials
Dr. Brandon Koch, Beef Nutritionist, Kent FeedsThis session will cover key nutrition strategies that can help young producers improve herd performance and make the most of their feed resources. Bring your questions and leave with ideas you can put to work on your operation.
3. Getting Your Start: USDA Loans for Beginning Farmers
Callie Erickson, Farm Loan Manager, USDA-Farm Service AgencyAccess to capital is one of the biggest hurdles for anyone starting or growing a farm. Callie will walk through the loan programs designed to help beginning farmers get established. She'll cover options for buying land, purchasing equipment and livestock, and covering operating expenses. Learn who qualifies, what the application process looks like, and how to prepare before you walk into your local FSA office. Whether you're buying your first acres or looking to expand, you'll leave with a clear understanding of the resources available to help you take the next step.
4. Growth or Stress? Can Your Farm Afford the Next Move?
Seth Appelgate, Developing Markets Officer, Farm Credit Services of AmericaNate Gebel, Developing Markets Officer, Farm Credit Services of America
Reiny Ostrander, Developing Markets Officer, Farm Credit Services of America
Growth opportunities can come quickly, but can your operation financially handle the next move? In this ‘choose your own adventure’ hands-on session, producers will explore how decisions such as renting more acres, taking over from the senior generation, expanding a livestock herd, purchasing land or machinery, losing off-farm income, or navigating a change in commodity prices can affect the entire operation. Using a realistic farm scenario, participants will examine the impact of each decision on cash flow, working capital, and equity. You’ll leave with a stronger understanding of how to look beyond the opportunity itself, ask better financial questions, and determine whether your next move will build long-term strength or create financial stress.
5. QPR for Farmers and Farm Families – Part 2
Hannah Guinn, RN, AgriSafe NetworkKnowing something is wrong is the first step. Knowing what to say is the next. In Part 2, Hannah walks through each step of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) with real examples from rural communities. You’ll leave ready to start a hard conversation, offer hope, and connect someone to help. Attendees who complete both sessions will receive a QPR Gatekeeper certificate.
6. Room at the Table: How Farm Families Can Support Iowa Kids
Emily Easton, Recruitment and Retention Manager, Four OaksKids in foster care thrive when they can stay connected to their schools, friends, and hometowns, and rural Iowa needs families ready to help. Emily Easton, a former foster parent and Recruitment & Retention Manager with Four Oaks, shares what fostering really looks like, who can do it, and how farm life can offer the stability and routine kids need. Whether you're ready to open your home or looking for other ways to make a difference, you'll leave with a clear picture of where to start.
7. Say it Sooner
Rachel Eslick, Mae We All: Growth and DevelopmentHave the conversation before it gets harder. Whether you're working with family on the farm, coworkers, landlords, employees, or fellow board members, the conversations we avoid have a way of following us. In this session, Rachel Eslick will share practical tools for communicating expectations, addressing tension, and navigating difficult conversations while protecting the relationships that matter most. You'll learn to recognize the cost of putting off important conversations, share feedback more clearly, and handle disagreement without getting defensive or shutting down. Leave ready to build stronger relationships through earlier, more intentional communication.
8. What’s Lurking in the Pasture? A Practical Guide to Cattle Toxicology
Scott Radke, DVM MS DABVT, Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic LaboratoryFrom toxic plants and junk in the pasture to high-nitrate forages, fertilizers, insecticides, and blue-green algae in the pond, toxic exposures can strike a cattle herd quickly and often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Join a veterinary toxicologist from the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to learn about some of the most common toxicology risks facing Iowa cattle operations, the warning signs to watch for, and practical prevention strategies. You’ll also learn how diagnostic testing can help protect your herd and your bottom line.
Return to the agenda