Schedule

The Small Farmers Conference at Lincoln University is a dynamic event designed to empower small-scale farmers and agricultural enthusiasts with the knowledge, tools, and resources to thrive in today’s evolving industry. This multi-day conference features a robust schedule of workshops, networking opportunities, and engaging presentations from leading experts in sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, and more. Explore the full schedule below to plan your experience and make the most of this invaluable opportunity to grow your skills, connect with fellow farmers, and drive success in your farming endeavors.

Complete Conference Schedule

Time	Activity	Location
8:00 a.m.	Breakfast	The LINC/Pre-Function Area, Main Floor
8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Opening Session – Welcome from Lincoln University’s Leadership Mr. Victor Pasley, President of the Board of Curators Dr. John Moseley, President of Lincoln University Dr. Stevie Lawrence II, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Douglas LaVergne, Vice President for Land-Grant Engagement and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental, and Human Sciences	Main Floor
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	General Session I Opening Keynote Address by Cindy Ayers-Elliott, Ph.D., USDA RMA SE Ambassador, USA Today Women of the Year Honoree 2023	Main Floor
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.	Lunch	Main Floor
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Concurrent Breakout Sessions #1 Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), Linda Coffey, Livestock/Organic Specialist, National Center for Appropriate Technology Cover Crops, Dr. Oliver Freeman, Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Murray State University Estate/Succession Planning	Main Floor, Classroom 1, Classroom 2
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Concurrent Breakout Sessions #2 Health & Wellness of Farmers, Dr. Kirstie Vitatoe, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Greenville University Specialty Crops and Native Plants, Dr. Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, state extension specialist Small Ruminant Production, Dr. Bruce Shanks, Owner, Sassafras Valley Ranch	Main Floor, Classroom 1, Classroom 2
3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m	Concurrent Breakout Sessions #3 Estate/Succession Planning Alternative Forages: Quinoa/Hemp/Warm-Season Grasses, Dr. Safiullah Pathan, Dr. Valliyodan Babu, Chris Boeckmann Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), Linda Coffey, Livestock/Organic Specialist, National Center for Appropriate Technology	Main Floor, Classroom 1, Classroom 2
4:15 p.m.	Board Buses for Hotel
6:30 p.m.	Networking Dinner & Reception	LU Student University Center Ballroom

Time	Activity	Location
8:00 a.m.	Breakfast	The LINC/Pre-Function Area, Main Floor
8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	General Session 2 Closing Keynote Address by Ms. Drenda Williams, Associate Director of Operations, National Institute for Food and Agriculture	Main Floor
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	General Session 3 Kara A. Woods, Ph.D., Research Analyst, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center	Main Floor
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Lunch	Main Floor
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Concurrent Breakout Sessions #1 Small Ruminants and Forages, Dr. Ken Coffey, Professor of Animal Science, University of Arkansas Value-Added Products/Cottage Foods, Josh Dunne Alternative Forages: Quinoa/Hemp/Warm-Season Grasses, Dr. Safiullah Pathan, Dr. Valliyodan Babu, Chris Boeckmann	Main Floor, Classroom 1, Classroom 2
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Concurrent Breakout Sessions #2 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition (FAN) Innovation Center Kayla Wansing, Missouri Department of Agriculture Meat Inspection program Regenerative Agriculture, Noble Research Institute	Main Floor, Classroom 1, Classroom 2
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Concurrent Breakout Sessions #3 Small Ruminants and Forages, Dr. Ken Coffey, Professor of Animal Science, University of Arkansas Value-Added Products/Cottage Foods, Josh Dunne Aquaculture for Commercial Production	Main Floor, Classroom 1, Classroom 2
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.	General Session/Wrap Up What’s New in Extension? Dr. Allison Young, Associate Extension, Administrator, Lincoln University	Main Floor
5:30 p.m.	Dinner at Cheerleaders

Time	Activity	Location
8:00 a.m.	Breakfast	Carver Farm Main Room
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Cindy Ayers-Elliott, Ph.D., Foot Print Farms, High Tunnel Production/Direct Marketing/Aeroponics/Agri-Tourism
9:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Success Stories Black Urban Growers (BUGS), Kansas City, Missouri
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Lunch/Awards Ceremony/Closing Session Small Farmer of the Year Award Extension Staff Recognition
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Farm Tours (transportation provided)	Busby Farm Carver Farm

Schedule

Complete Conference Schedule

Day 1: Monday, March 3, 2025

Day 2: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Day 3: Wednesday, March 5, 2025