MANAGING THE MESSAGE: CUTTING THROUGH THE CHAOS TO CONNECT FARMERS AND CONSUMERS

Michelle Miller : “The Farm Babe”  –  Speaker, Author, Content Creator, Comedian
Educating consumers with how their food is actually produced, without all the gimmicks

In today’s noisy digital world, misinformation about agriculture spreads faster than ever—leaving farmers and ranchers to navigate a chaotic media landscape. How can we rise above the noise and take control of the narrative? Join Michelle Miller, better known as the “Farm Babe,” as she shares how she turned chaos into connection by harnessing the power of social media. From viral myths to online backlash, Michelle breaks down the modern communication challenges facing agriculture and offers practical strategies to cut through confusion, build trust, and tell your story with confidence. With less than 2% of the population involved in farming, the stakes are high—and your voice matters now more than ever.

Michelle’s Bio: Well-known and respected by the most reputable names in international agriculture, Michelle has spoken across 4 continents and has been on stage with experts like Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the most famous livestock handling experts and autism advocates in the world. She was also a guest on “Dr Drew” and a panelist at BlogHer, where other speakers include Chelsea Clinton, Serena Williams, and Carla Hall, star of ABC’s “The Chew.”

Other industry experts who support or have worked with Michelle include Canada’s leading agronomy expert Robert Saik, World Food prize recipient Robb Fraley, lowa Senators Joni Ernst and Tom Shipley, Annette Sweeney and numerous international professors and scientists.  Michelle has also been a speaker at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national conference, taking the stage before Reba McEntire and President Trump.

Whether Michelle is debunking food label myths, encouraging farmers to tell their stories, or just celebrating modern agriculture overall, you can guarantee she will provide a fun and refreshing presentation.

Learn More >

Michelle Miller is our Keynote Speaker, presenting in February 2026

WELCOME TO THE UNDERGROUND – PASSION, PERSEVERANCE, AND PATIENCE IN THE PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT PARADIGM
February 4 – 11:00-11:55am

PANEL: GROWING MARGINS THROUGH VERTICAL INTEGRATION
February 4 – 3:15-4:15pm

David Oien : Third Generation Farmer  –  Co-Founder: Timeless Seeds

David’s Bio:

David is a third generation Montanan who moved back to the family grain and livestock farm in 1976. He converted the farm to 100% certified organic in the 1980’s, diversifying the crop rotations to include green manure crops,  pulses, and specialty cereal grains. In 1986, he and three farmer friends founded Timeless Seeds into order to grow, process, and market the production from their own operations. The business has grown over the decades into a multi-million dollar enterprise with over a dozen employees, contracts with dozens of farmers in Montana and neighboring state, and  cleans, packages, and markets certified organic, certified kosher lentils, chickpeas, and heritage grains in branded retail, bagged, and bulk formats to retail stores, food distributors and food manufacturers across America and a number of export customers.

In recognition of his decades of organic farming and the innovation of Timeless Seeds, he and his company received awards from the State of Montana Governor’s Office, the Alternative Energy Resource Organization, Montana Organic Association, Montana Ambassadors, and the Organic Trade Association. The founding and first two decades and is the subject of the 2015 book LENTIL UNDERGROUND by Liz Carlisle, PhD.

David is now recently retired to become a full-time grandfather of six grandkids, and is active in native plant and pollinator habitat projects as well as in the Elders Climate Action organization, and a number of political causes.

Kam Quarles: Chief Executive Officer of the National Potato Council

Kam’s Bio:

Kam Quarles is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Potato Council.  He assumed this role in May of 2019 after serving as Vice President of Public Policy and Communications.

Since taking on the job of running the U.S. potato industry’s national trade association, Kam has overseen a comprehensive overhaul of the organization and its activities.  These include building a strong team of professional staff and consultants, rebranding the organization and its signature Potato Expo, coordinating the largest disaster relief response in the industry’s history, securing significant victories in the long-standing Mexican trade dispute, and supporting a new multimillion-dollar foundation dedicated to industry leadership.

As a national leader in the fruit and vegetable industry, Kam serves as co-chairman of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, and as a member of the USDA/USTR Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining the Council staff, Kam worked for the international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery with clients including NPC, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Sunkist Growers, Chiquita Brands International, the California Avocado Commission and other specialty crop interests.

He served as a vice president for both the United Fresh Produce Association and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the managing director of the D.C. office for Sunkist Growers, the world’s largest citrus marketing organization.  Kam was also a staff member in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Andrew Houser : Manager, Colorado Potato Certification Service

Description of Presentation:

Brief overview of The Effect PVY Has on Yield and Current PVY Situation in the San Luis Valley

Andrew’s Bio:

Andrew has been working on potato disease issues at the SLV Research Center for the last 23 years.  He received his BS in Botany from Adams State College in 1999,  an MS in Horticulture with a plant pathology emphasis in 2008 and his PhD from Colorado State University in 2018.    Since 2016, Andrew has served as the Manager for the Colorado Potato Certification Service, which certifies all of the seed potatoes for the State of Colorado. He and his staff work with local potato seed growers to produce high quality seed potatoes.

Andrew still dabbles in some research, focusing on Potato Virus Y management and Powdery Scab resistance.   He enjoys elk hunting, woodworking and playing guitar for church.  Andrew currently lives outside of Del Norte, CO with his wife (Lori) and his two sons (Tanner and Josiah) and their two dogs (Rocky & Cole).

Andrew Houser : Manager, Colorado Potato Certification Service

Description of Presentation:

Brief overview of The Effect PVY Has on Yield and Current PVY Situation in the San Luis Valley

Andrew’s Bio:

Andrew has been working on potato disease issues at the SLV Research Center for the last 23 years.  He received his BS in Botany from Adams State College in 1999,  an MS in Horticulture with a plant pathology emphasis in 2008 and his PhD from Colorado State University in 2018.    Since 2016, Andrew has served as the Manager for the Colorado Potato Certification Service, which certifies all of the seed potatoes for the State of Colorado. He and his staff work with local potato seed growers to produce high quality seed potatoes.

Andrew still dabbles in some research, focusing on Potato Virus Y management and Powdery Scab resistance.   He enjoys elk hunting, woodworking and playing guitar for church.  Andrew currently lives outside of Del Norte, CO with his wife (Lori) and his two sons (Tanner and Josiah) and their two dogs (Rocky & Cole).

Dr. Devan Catalano : Equine Extension Specialist, CSU

Devan’s Bio:

Dr. Devan Catalano is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences and the Equine Extension specialist at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on equine nutrition and practical management solutions. In her free time, Dr. Devan enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Jonathan F. Wilson : President, JFW Partners

Jonathan’s Bio:

Jonathan Forrest Wilson is a seasoned strategic executive who understands that agriculture is more than a business—it is a legacy. With over 30 years of global leadership, Jonathan has navigated the complex worlds of both private and public family businesses, ranging from smallholder farms to $5 billion enterprises. From optimizing feed mills to leading major turnarounds at companies like Alltech and Gold Coin Feeds and GODACO Seafood, he specializes in helping agricultural families protect their heritage while driving generational profitability, innovation, and growth.

Ian Ray : Emeritus Professor of Agronomy, New Mexico State University

Ian’s Bio:

Ian Ray is an Emeritus Professor of Agronomy at New Mexico State University (NMSU), where he has served since 1994. His expertise is in alfalfa and forage grass breeding and genetics. His research for the past 30+ years has focused on genetic characterization and improvement of drought resilience and tolerance in alfalfa using molecular techniques and conventional breeding approaches. His program developed the alfalfa cultivars ‘NuMex Bill Melton’, ‘NuMex 501’, ‘NuMex 801’, and ‘NuMex 802’, which have demonstrated high yield performance under variable soil moisture conditions in the southwest region of the U.S. Prior to joining NMSU, he served as a forage grass breeder with USDA-ARS and North Dakota State University. Ian has a B.S. degree in Agriculture from NMSU, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tyler Garrett : Director of Government Relations, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

Tyler’s Bio:

Tyler Garrett is the Director of Government Relations for Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. Tyler developed a love and appreciation for agriculture at a young age when spending time with his grandparents on their small farm in Oklahoma. His appreciation for agriculture grew through his time working on his aunt and uncle’s cattle and poultry farm from elementary school through college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Studies from the University of Arkansas. He also has a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado Boulder. With a deep understanding of public policy and our political systems at all levels, Tyler is excited to advance the policy initiatives of family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Hondo Snyder : Security Professional

Hondo’s Bio:

Hondo joined our staff in December 2012. Hondo was born and raised here in the San Luis Valley and graduated from Alamosa High School. He has also graduated from Trinidad State Junior College with Honors and achieved a 4.0 GPA obtaining his Associates degree in Computer Networking and Technology. Since working with the company, he has obtained his CompTIA A+ and Network+ Service Technician Certifications and will be pursuing his Security+ certification.

Ashley House : Third Generation Farmer, VP of Strategy and Advocacy – Colorado Farm Bureau

Ashley’s Bio:

Ashley’s love of the land and the agricultural industry began on her family’s ranch in Live Oak County, Texas. A third generation rancher, she remains involved in the House’s cattle and wildlife management enterprises. As VP of Strategy and Advocacy at Colorado Farm Bureau, Ashley helps develop internal and external policy initiatives, with a focus on the organization’s federal policy interests. Prior to CFB, Ashley served as the Executive Vice President and CEO for the Washington Cattlemen’s Association (WCA) where she managed the association’s advocacy, outreach, and educational activities. As Director of Leader Engagement with Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Ashley served as the liaison between the association’s 135-member Board, federal agencies, state agencies, and allied industry. With the Texas Agricultural Land Trust, she worked on early case-making for the Texas Farm and Ranchlands Conservation Program; which resulted in $2 million in appropriations funding for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements. She also has a background in agricultural finance, working for three years as a Loan Officer with Lone Star Ag Credit (now AgTrust Farm Credit). In her spare time, Ashley serves on the College of Fine Arts Board of Visitors for her alma mater, Texas Christian University, and is a volunteer for the TCU Institute of Ranch Management’s international activities. She lives in Denver with her dog, Fig, and deeply appreciates Tex-Mex cuisine

Heather Reider : Avian Health Program Coordinator

Benjamin Amerman : Avian Health Program Staff

Veronica Distel : Avian Health Program Staff

Description of Presentation:

This presentation is offered by members of the Colorado Avian Health Program, part of the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). The program has supported poultry health in Colorado for more than 20 years, providing expertise in disease diagnostics, biosecurity, and flock management. The team works with both small and commercial producers statewide, offering education, field outreach, and diagnostic support. The program also leads the Western Small Flocks Collaborative, a regional partnership connecting Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and the Navajo Nation to share practical tools and reliable information for small flock owners.

Wondirad Gebru : Director, Division of Plant Industry, CDA

Wondirad’s Bio:

Wondirad Gebru is the Division Director of the Division of Plants Industry at the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). He oversees key state programs including hemp, seed, organics, pesticides, and phytosanitary certification for plant products. Prior to CDA, he consulted for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and served over six years as a state Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Ethiopia. He began his career as a nematology researcher at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) for eighteen years. Mr. Gebru holds two Master of Science degrees, from Addis Ababa University and the University of Gent, Belgium.

Jason Webb : Research Agronomist & Co-Director, CSU Crops Testing Program

Jason’s Bio:

Jason joined the program as a Research Agronomist in 2024 and moved into a co-director role in 2025.  He is responsible for coordinating and managing crop variety and agronomy trials in corn, beans, and oilseeds and writing grants for large research projects.  Jason also gives public presentations on research results from the program.  He is a particularly interested in black-eyed pea and soil fertility research and has expanded our research in these areas.

Jason grew up in Ohio and earned a B.S in Agronomy from The Ohio State University in 1996.  He studied weed science and entomology.  He has worked in the Midwest as well as California and the Texas Gulf Coast for over 25 years.  He has owned a small produce farm, and enjoys spending time with his family.  Jason has been a Certified Crop Advisor since 2000 and is based in Akron, CO.

Paige Hickman : PAPAs Group, University of Idaho

Paige’s Bio:

B.S. in Environmental Science, Allegheny College; M.S. in Horticulture, University of Arkansas; Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Idaho

Paige joined the Dandurand potato cyst nematode (PCN) lab at the University of Idaho in 2019 as a Ph.D. student. She completed her Ph.D. in December 2024 and became a Postdoctoral Fellow. Paige is interested in developing sustainable control strategies for potato nematodes. Her work is a part of Dr. Dandurand’s USDA-NIFA funded PAPAS Project (A Systems Approach to Controlling Nematodes in U.S. Potato Production). Some of Paige’s research areas include trap crops and crop rotation for control of PCN and investigating the impact of PCN on potato yield.

Pat McDermott : Staff Engineer, DWR

Pat’s Bio:

Pat McDermott has served as the staff engineer in the Division 3 office of the Division of Water Resources since 1993. Residing somewhere in a cluttered office are “treasures” of 32 years of research into the surface and groundwater rights and users of the San Luis Valley. The administration of water rights and service to the public is not just an 8 to 5 job. In his spare time, Pat enjoys chucking wiffleball curves at his wife, Mae, and children, Autumn and Sean. The Valley is a truly wonderful place to live and raise children.

Craig W. Cotten, P.E. : Division Engineer, DWR

Craig’s Bio:

Craig is the Division Engineer for Water Division No. 3 of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, where he manages surface and groundwater use in the Rio Grande Basin in Colorado. He is also Colorado’s Engineer Adviser to the Rio Grande and Costilla Creek Compacts and has been extensively involved in the current U.S. Supreme Court Case on the Rio Grande Compact. Craig has testified as an expert witness in many Division 3 water case trials and hearings, including in the Division 3 Groundwater Rules and Regulations case. Craig graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Civil Engineering and has worked for the Division of Water Resources for 35 years. He and his wife Cindy live outside Monte Vista.

Dawn Thilmany : Colorado State University

Dawn’s Bio:

Dawn Thilmany is a Professor of Agricultural Economics, Interim Head of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Director of the Northwest and Rocky Mountain USDA Regional Food Center and Co-Director of the Regional Economic Development Institute at Colorado State University. She served on both USDA and Colorado Food Advisory Councils and has led a number of academic food and ag associations (AAEA, WAEA, FDRS). Her research and outreach focus on food systems and rural economic development, primarily focused on opportunities related to value-added food market supply chains and rural entrepreneurs.

Patrick O’Neill : Soil Health Services

Patrick’s Bio:

Patrick O’Neill is an independent soil scientist and agronomist based in Alamosa, Colorado, where he leads Soil Health Services, PBC. With over two decades of experience, he supports farmers across southern and western Colorado and northern New Mexico, using a holistic, systems-based approach to build and sustain soil health. His work focuses on equipping family farmers with practical tools to steward their land, strengthen farm viability, and support resilient rural communities.

Patrick is a recognized leader in soil health education and peer-to-peer learning, having led regional soil health learning groups and coordinated training for new facilitators across Colorado. He is actively involved in local and statewide leadership, including service on the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Soil Health Advisory Committee and in conservation and farmer-led organizations. He holds a B.S. in Crop Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an M.S. in Soil Science from Washington State University, and brings a long-standing commitment to community-connected and socially just agricultural systems.

Dr. Kathy Whitman : Colorado State University

Kathy’s Bio:

Dr. Kathy Whitman is the Veterinary Extension Specialist for Colorado State University. Kathy received her DVM and MS in Ruminant Nutrition from CSU in 2006. She completed a Field Services internship at the University of Georgia in 2007 and became an ABVP diplomate specializing in Beef Cattle in 2017. Dr. Whitman was in private practice in both Utah and Colorado, and an Associate Professor with the University of Nebraska at the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center. In her role at Colorado State University, Kathy participates a wide range of activities, working as a liaison between the University and extension, producers, and veterinarians in Colorado. She’s recently been involved in HPAI research, emergency management and preparedness, BQA training, 4-H events, veterinary student teaching, and extension consultation. In addition to those activities, Dr. Whitman continues to have a strong interest in providing relevant education and information to producers and stakeholders, particularly in the livestock industry.

Dr. Alan Schreiber : Fifth Generation Farmer

Alan’s Bio:

I am a fifth generation farmer and operate an organic mixed fruit and vegetable farm in the Columbia Basin of Washington.  I also operate an independent agriculture research and consulting business that works on solving the unmet needs of Pacific Northwest agriculture.

Cary Aloia : Wetland Biologist & Partner, Wetland Dynamics, LLC

Cary’s Bio:

Cary Aloia is a Partner and Wetland Biologist with Wetland Dynamics, LLC, working in the SLV and throughout Colorado for over 25 years. She works on a wide range of sites partnering with diverse water users to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and riparian areas integral to the sustainability of water resources throughout the West. She currently serves as the SLV Wetland Focus Area Committee Chair and the Rio Grande Roundtable Environmental and IBCC Representative.

Dr. Kathy James : PhD, MS, MSPH

Kathy’s Bio:

Katherine A. James, PhD, MS, MSPH

Associate Professor Department of Environmental and Occupational Health

Program Director Doctorate in Climate and Human Health

Centers for Health Work and Environment

Colorado School of Public Health “Public Health Elevated”

Erica Hansen : Water & Wetlands Program Coordinator, IWJV

Erica’s Bio:

Erica Hansen is the Water & Wetlands Program Coordinator for the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV). In this role, she supports the conservation of irrigated agriculture, wetlands, and other water resources in ways that benefit people and wildlife. Before joining the IWJV, Erica worked for a land trust that supported working lands in Northwest Wyoming, as well as in multiple research biologist roles across the West. She holds a B.S. in Zoology with Honors from Colorado State University and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology from Utah State University.