Seminars
Come join our speakers!
Each year we offer quality seminars consisting of a variety of topics and speakers that we believe will be of interest to our annual meeting attendees. We hope members will look at the 2023 seminar listing and plan to attend as many as possible. It is NOT necessary to register for adult seminars. It is only necessary to register for the children’s seminars, by going to the Individual and Family Registration form.
Monday, November 13
8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Adult Seminar
It all Started in the Barn
Presenter: Donna Anderson Horbal, Author
WLC Sponsored
This session will help to awaken the entrepreneur within! Come learn ways to develop a new stream of revenue from the author of this year’s Farmtastic Book, “Polly and the Birth Day”.
8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Kids’ Session Activity
Tie-Dye Milk
Presenter: Paula Shoop, PA Friends of Ag Foundation
What’s in a drink? Attendees will conduct an experiment to determine the fat content of two different types of milk. Nutrition labels are then examined to determine the amounts of fat, calcium, and vitamin D present in various beverages to encourage students to identify and select healthy drinks.
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Adult Seminar
Farm Family Communication, Always Room to Improve
Presenter: Darlene Livingston, PA Farm Link
This presentation provides attendees with farm family communication resources to utilize with their own families. Generational differences will be reviewed to better understand other perspectives.
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Kids’ Session/Activity
AgBadging Field Guide (Grades 3-5)
Presenter: Paula Shoop, PA Friends of Ag Foundation
Attendees will receive NAITCO ‘s AgBadging Field Guide that will lead them through an exploration of agriculture. They will complete the Build A Barn activity to get a jump start on earning their first badge. The Field Guide can be taken home and has five additional badges that can be earned.
3:30 p.m – 4:45 p.m.
Adult Seminar
Painting Class hosted by the WLC
Sit and relax while following simple instructions to create your own wrapped canvas depicting a Winter farm scene. No art skills are needed. Go home with a personalized momento from the convention. Seating is limited, and will be on a first come basis.
3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Adult Seminar
Federal Funding Opportunities
Presenter: Office of the Governor, Critical Investments
Learn about IRA tax credits and their benefits for the agriculture community.
Tuesday, November 14
8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Adult Seminar
Preventing Fire: Exploring Innovative Protection Solutions with Nationwide
Presenter: Vicente Rico, Senior Consultant, Product Development, Agribusiness Innovative Solutions
Fire is one of the leading causes of losses for farms, ranches and agribusinesses. In many cases, fires can be avoided with routine preventive maintenance or fire mitigation tools and technology. During this engaging session, attendees will learn more about how Nationwide is leading the way as a protection company by providing ag innovative solutions to protect farms, ranches and agribusinesses as well as livelihoods from fire loss.
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Adult Seminar
PA No-Till Alliance, Why we Want Healthy Soil
Presenters: William Thiele and PA No-Till Alliance Representative
This session will demonstrate the practicality of no-till, cover crops, planting green, and many other soil health practices for right now and for the future.
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Kids’ Session
Microscope Marvels: Journey into the Secret Life of Soil (All ages welcome)
Presenter: Suzanne Shea, Certified Soil Food Web Lab Tech
In this exciting, interactive session, we invite young nature enthusiasts to embark on a fascinating expedition deep into the hidden realm of the soil food web. Get ready to unlock the mysteries of the microscopic world as we delve into the amazing lives of living organisms thriving beneath our feet.
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Adult Session
Farming and Mental Health
Presenter: Darla Price, Owner/Founder of DP2 Longhorns and Clinical Social Worker
This session will discuss statistics on mental health and farmers in the U.S. and the true nature of why mental health is taboo amongst the farming community. Learn ways to encourage the farming community to access mental health services.
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Adult Session
Legislative and Regulatory Livestock Updates
Presenter: R.J. Layher, AFBF
Hear the latest about what’s happening in Congress and at USDA and how it will impact livestock producers.
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Adult Seminar
Wholesaling to Schools: Bringing Farm Fresh Produce to PA Kids
Presenter: Samantha Gibb, PA Farm to School Network
Learn how to market your produce and products to one of the largest wholesale opportunities in PA. The PA Farm to School Network works to support famers, growers, school cafeteria staff, educators, and community members in their local efforts to educate kids about food and agriculture and increase the volume of locally grown products served in school cafeterias.
1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Kids Session, Grades K-2
What is Money
Presenter: Members 1st FCU
This lesson for kids will break down the importance of saving money, how to spend your money, and the difference between wants and needs.
2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Kids Session, Grades 3+
What is Money
Presenter: Members 1st FCU
This lesson for kids will break down the importance of saving money, how to spend your money, and the difference between wants and needs.
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adult Seminar
Artificial Intelligence and the Farm Family
Presenter: Andy Bater, Chairman of Technology Issues Advisory Committee
Learn how commonly available Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used for farm and family. The presentation will include examples of commonly available tools, and insight into future tools that will be specifically agriculturally focused.
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adult Seminar
Federal Environmental Updates
Presenter: Courtney Briggs, AFBF
Federal Environmental Updates: Please join Courtney Briggs, AFBF’s Senior Director of Government Affairs for an update on various environmental policy issues including, Waters of the United States, PFAS, developments in the Chesapeake Bay and the conservation title of the Farm Bill.
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adult Seminar
State and Federal Funding for Food Banks
Presenter: Tom Mainzer, Feeding Pennsylvania
This session will provide an overview of PA’s charitable food network and their programs to support PA agriculture. “PASS and LFPA”: State and Federal Funding for Food Banks to procure products grown, raised and/or processed in PA will be discussed.