
SCHEDULE
Download the 2022 Conference Program
Wednesday November 2nd
6:00-8:00 p.m.
National Western Center
REGENERATE 2022 & Water in the West Joint Reception
Join us for a joint opening reception with the CSU's Water in the West Symposium at the new state of the art facilities at the CSU Spur Terra Building at the National Western Center Complex!
+ For this year’s reception we are merging conferences for an evening of socializing, light bites, local beverages, self-guided tours of the Terra Building facilities, a casual film screening provided by our sponsor Natural Grocers and cross-conference networking!
This event will be taking place at a different building that the main conference event. The CSU Spur Terra Building is located .3 miles from the Stockyard Event Center within the National Western Center Complex.
REGENERATE attendees registered for the reception will receive their badges in the lobby of the Terra Building beginning at 6pm. Reception attendees are asked to park in Lot N next to the CSU Spur Vida Building as indicated on the map below.
Thursday November 3rd
7:00-8:00 a.m.
National Western Center
Coffee + Network Time + Exhibitor Tabling
Join us for coffee and networking each morning as we kick off our day together.
8:00-8:25 a.m.
National Western Center
Invocation & Opening Remarks
Sunny Dooley (invocation); Directors from Holistic Management International, American Grassfed Association, and Quivira Coalition (intro remarks)
8:30 a.m.- 9:10 a.m.
National Western Center
Keynote
Ecological Economics and Agriculture: Alternative Economic Approaches to Achieving Food Sovereignty
Phil Warsaw
Phil Warsaw
Ecological Economics and Agriculture: Alternative Economic Approaches to Achieving Food Sovereignty
The shocks created by the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread breakdowns in global agricultural supply chains, revealing the fragile nature of our industrialized food system, as well as the deeply embedded inequalities within it. Decades of increased concentration and market specialization among agribusinesses and growers in the name of increased profits resulted in massive food waste, as large- scale farming operations were slow to pivot their production away from wholesale production. This waste occurred at the same time as lines at food banks around the country grew due to an economic downturn brought about by shutdown orders. These impacts were felt most by working class BIPOC families, many of whom already face inadequate food environments, despite that fact that many of them work in ‘essential’ jobs in the production of our food.
These breakdowns have intensified the call for a new economic paradigm, one which centers resilience and equity in local food systems. In this plenary, Dr. Warsaw will discuss the rise of ecological economics, a heterodox field of economics which challenges the default assumptions of external economic growth and centering profit seen in mainstream economic approaches. During this discussion, Dr. Warsaw will present the primary critiques the ecological economists make of ‘business-as-usual’ economics, alternative foundations for an economic system, and real world applications to agricultural systems both in the United States and abroad.

9:10 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.
National Western Center
Plenary
Sharing the Regeneration
Oliver Chedgey
Oliver Chedgey
Sharing the Regeneration
Regeneration of farms is about much more than fixing broken soils, we have whole supply chains and farm rural communities that need regeneration as well. Kingsclere Estates is working towards building more resilient farming models allowing new entrants onto the land. Oliver Chedgey runs the Roaming Dairy on the farm under a share farming agreement with Tim May of Kingsclere. Olly will tell his story about how the agreement and farming system works for him, and a bit of background about Kingsclere Estates

9:40 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
National Western Center
Morning Break
Enjoy a mid-morning break!
+ Explore our Exhibitor hall and meet some of your regional and community business partners and regenerative resources!
10:00 a.m.-11:05 a.m.
National Western Center
Plenary Panel
Regenerative Conservation Toolkit: New paradigms, new tools: rethinking rangeland conservation
Mark Biaggi, Jason Baldes & Coley Burgess; Moderated by Judith McGeary
To regenerate land, revitalize communities, and foster social equity, requires a shifting of paradigms. When we change how we conceive of land stewardship, numerous new tools and frameworks become available to us, as well as methods for adapting the tools and frameworks we already have. Join us for a panel discussion on the importance of shifting paradigms, and the diverse suite of tools and concepts available to you to support rangeland health, ecosystem restoration, cultural revitalization, equity, and agricultural production. Panelists will help us think outside the box, and not be afraid of what our neighbors might think! Panel topics include grazing and the Safe to Fail Method (Mark Biaggi, TomKat Ranch), bison grazing and land rematriation (Jason Baldes, National Wildlife Federation’s Tribal Partnerships Program), and silvopasture and biochar (Coley Burgess, Cattle & Pecan farmer).
Mark Biaggi will discuss the “Safe to Fail” method to trial Bale Grazing and Swath Grazing, and how to choose tools that fit your context
Jason Baldes will discuss Tribal Bison Restoration-Land Rematriation and Reconciliation
Coley Burgess will discuss multi-species grazing to manage plants, animal nutrition, soil cover, silvopasture, and homemade biochar
Panel will be moderated by Judith McGeary, Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance
Panelists:
11:05 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
National Western Center
Two Sessions
Split Session Plenary
Funneling the money where it matters: regenerative and just food systems
Jessica Chiartas & Mariela Cedeño
Truly regenerative agriculture nourishes soil, ecosystems, and people, particularly those most marginalized. Financial support is necessary to advance truly regenerative agriculture. In this split plenary you’ll hear from Jessica Chiartas (UC Davis, REGEN1) about soil carbon and a new food label that supports producers’ regenerative practices. And you’ll hear from Mariela Cedeño (Manzanita Capital Collective, Equitable Food Oriented Development Collaborative) about how shifting capital and power to Black, Indigenous, and POC-led land, food, and agriculture can help us more towards more just economies, resilient food systems, and ecological land stewardship.
Panelists:

12:00p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
National Western Center
Lunch
Food Trucks! Bandwagon Sandwich Co, Turkish Chef on Wheels, Dos Manos Fine Mexican Food (GF Options)
1:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.
National Western Center
Plenary
Dr. Jessica Gordon-Nembhard: Regenerative Promise of Black Community Economics
Regenerative Promise of Black Community Economics
Throughout African American history, even when Blacks were discriminated against and oppressed at work, or could not find a job, they engaged in economic cooperation and solidarity. Blacks pooled their resources to provide and pay for services they needed but did not have access to otherwise, either due to their masters’ control, or exploitative economic systems. African Americans used solidarity for escape (i.e., the Underground Railroad); started independent schools, intentional communities, and mutual aid societies. They created intentional communities, and used cooperatives to successfully farm, to run their own cotton mills, to collectively buy equipment and supplies, to provide insurance and health services, to gain access to credit and financial services, to provide electricity and alternative energy, etc. Black Americans have retained a sense of humanity and cooperative practice from their African ancestors, and created alternative economic activities that were jointly owned and democratically governed to provide for their families and strengthen their communities. These community solidarity economic accomplishements and strategies are increasing being used to address 21st century crises.

1:40 p.m. - 2:25 p.m,
National Western Center
Note: Concurrent Session
Exploring Native American Ingredients In A Modern Economy (w/ cooking demo)
with Chef Freddie Bitsoie
Freddie’s presentation and cooking demo will discuss Native American Ingredients adjusting to today’s economy, how colonialism changed its growth, and how “decolonization” is allowing native foods to thrive.
2:25 p.m. - 3:35 p.m.
National Western Center
Roundtables
Six roundtables crafted around our 2022 plenaries topics
3:35 p.m.-4:05 p.m.
National Western Center
Afternoon Break & Exhibitor Tabling
Enjoy a mid-afternoon break!
+ Explore our Exhibitor hall and meet some of your regional and community business partners and regenerative resources!
4:05 - 4:50p.m.
National Western Center
Keynote
Linda Faillace: The Power of Cheese
The Power of Cheese: How the USDA’s battle with our family farm took us to the jungles of Belize, Colombia, and beyond
What began as a peaceful, small family sheep farm in Vermont with a grass-based dairy and the best genetics in the world, three years later, turned into a nightmare battle with the USDA. Learn the full story behind the book and documentary about the USDA’s war on a family farm, and how tragedy made one family even stronger.
Linda Faillace, co-owner of Three Shepherds Farm, overcame adversity to find her voice in the world of agriculture. A pioneer of the local food movement, and champion for farmer’s rights, Linda & her husband, Larry have spent the last four decades helping other small farmers and food producers around the world follow their passions, find unique agricultural niches, while using sustainable, organic, earth- and life-enhancing practices.
Speaker: Linda Faillace
4:50 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
National Western Center
Closing Remarks
Directors from Holistic Management International, American Grassfed Association, and Quivira Coalition
5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
National Western Center
Note: Concurrent Session
NAP Career Connections
Connect with a career in mind!
This mixer will connect excited job-seekers with employers in fields such as regenerative agriculture, sustainable food systems, conservation, and more. Even if you aren’t immediately seeking a job or hiring a candidate, we welcome you to still come shake hands (or tap elbows) with others who might be a part of your next step forward.
5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
National Western Center
Note: Concurrent Session
Exhibitor Tabling
Explore our Exhibitor hall and meet some of your regional and community business partners and regenerative resources!
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
National Western Center
Dinner + Barn Dance + Live Music
End of Day – Thursday November 3rd
Friday November 4th
7:00-8:00 a.m.
National Western Center
Coffee + Network Time & Exhibitor Tabling
Join us for coffee and networking each morning as we kick off our day together.
+ Explore our Exhibitor hall and meet some of your regional and community business partners and regenerative resources!
8:00-8:15 a.m.
National Western Center
Opening Remarks
Kate Greenberg, Secretary of Agriculture
8:15-9:00 a.m.
National Western Center
Keynote
John Liu: The Flourishing Path
The Flourishing Path
Observing, documenting and studying over the past 40 years pursuing greater understanding of how Earth Systems Function have led me to certain important findings. This has changed my life and could change yours as well. First I found certain principles that determined functionality in natural Earth systems. Then I found that it was possible to restore large-scale degraded landscapes including those destroyed over long historic time frames and vast areas. Then I found that functional ecosystems are always beautiful and nurturing and that dysfunctional ecosystems lead to collapsed systems. In walking this path in life to the ripe old age of 70 I have found that to restore the Earth’s ecological function is to walk on “The Flourishing Path”.
Speaker:

9:00 - 9:45 a.m.
National Western Center
Plenary
Demystifying Land Back: A Practical Community-Based Approach
Beth Robinette & LaRae Wiley
Wondering how you can help Native youth and Native people in the struggle for justice? Beth Robinette of Lazy R Ranch and LaRae Wiley of Salish School of Spokane will share their story of collaboration, justice, food sovereignty and Native Youth empowerment. You can make a difference!
Speakers:

9:45 a.m. -10:15 a.m.
National Western Center
Mid-Morning Break
Time to stretch your body and move around as needed
10:15-11:30 a.m.
National Western Center
Plenary: Young Agrarians: Living the Questions Now & Seeking Bold Solutions & NAP Graduation Ceremony
Young Agrarians: Living the Questions Now & Seeking Bold Solutions
The familiar quote of Ranier Marie Rilke, “Be patient towards all that is unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves”, inspires this panel of 2nd year NAP apprentices as they share the questions, hopes, and concerns formed by their experiences in the field and their vision for the future.The questions we ask shape the partnerships, land access models and food systems we create. Join the next generation as they “live the question now” towards a creative, inclusive future of restorative ecological, economic and human systems. The plenary session will conclude with a graduation celebration for all this season’s NAP graduates.
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
National Western Center
Plenary
Dorn Cox: OpenTEAM – the Open Technology Ecosystem for Agricultural Management
OpenTEAM - the Open Technology Ecosystem for Agricultural Management
OpenTEAM – the Open Technology Ecosystem for Agricultural Management
Dorn will share how we can expand our commonwealth of agricultural knowledge, from Silicon to Soil. We’ll learn possibilities for making the invisible visible to enable a transformation to new economies of abundance, and how we can all participate in regeneration through the largest open science project in history.
Speaker: Dorn Cox
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
National Western Center
Lunch
Food Trucks! Bandwagon Sandwich Co, Laziz Ya Lebanese (GF, Vegan, Vegetarian Options), Que Desmadre Latin American Food (GF, Vegan, Vegetarian Options)
1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
National Western Center
Short Session Plenary
Sarah Carden: 2023 Farm Bill— Dismantling Big Ag’s Fragile System Propped up by Myths and Hidden Costs
Dismantling Big Ag’s Fragile System
2023 Farm Bill: Dismantling Big Ag’s Fragile System Propped up by Myths and Hidden Costs
Time and time again, advocates have tried to shift government support away from industrial agriculture and toward a more resilient and equitable system, and have failed because Big Ag controls the narrative surrounding the agricultural policy debate. Every Farm Bill cycle, they use this false narrative to influence policy and further strengthen their stranglehold on our food and ag system. In this presentation, we will:
- Call out the hidden costs of industrial agriculture
- Dismantle industrial agriculture’s deceptive myths, and
- Empower advocates to redesign the Farm Bill so that it is fair and resilient and benefits our farmers, food system workers, and communities — not just the CEOs of multinational corporations.
Speaker:

1:45-2:15 p.m.
National Western Center
Short Session Plenary
Neil Thapar: Who owns the land and why it matters
Who owns the land and why it matters
Land ownership is extremely consolidated along racial lines in the United States, with 98% of rural land in the hands of white people. It is critical to understand how land came to be owned in this way and why this pattern of land ownership is inextricably linked to the current extractive and exploitative food and agricultural system. In order to create a regenerative economy, we need to reimagine the dominant legal and financial systems that keep so many people physically, culturally, and spiritually disconnected from establishing an equitable relationship to land.
Neil Thapar is Co-Director of Minnow. Neil’s role includes using his legal background to co-create legal entities for community ownership of land and financial resources that are democratic and participatory. Neil emphasizes collective action and cooperation as cornerstones in every project or policy he participates in. Prior to Minnow, Neil was the Sustainable Economies Law Center’s Food and Farm Program Director. Outside of Minnow, Neil is a parent member of a childcare cooperative for families of color in Oakland and he organizes with the Community Democracy Project to bring participatory budgeting, through a People’s Budget, to the City of Oakland where he lives.
About Minnow: Minnow shapes a world where all beings can experience joy and belonging with reverence for the land. Such conditions repair the harms of settler colonialism that persist under capitalism and white supremacy. By securing land tenure for California’s farmers of color and indigenous communities, Minnow supports the heritage and foodways of those most affected by state-sponsored dispossession. Through democratic ownership of land and food systems, colonized peoples can thrive in their cultural practices while contributing proven solutions to climate change.

2:20 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
National Western Center
Afternoon Roundtables
Six roundtables crafted around our 2022 plenaries topics
3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
National Western Center
Afternoon Break + Exhibitor Tabling
Enjoy a mid-afternoon break and meet our exhibitors!
+ Explore our Exhibitor hall and meet some of your regional and community business partners and regenerative resources!
4:00-4:45 p.m.
National Western Center
Keynote
Sarah Mock: Big Team Farms
Big Team Farms
Though the small family farm is an American ideal, the reality is that they’ve experienced little economic success. Yet our obsession with trying to save them continues, prompting the question: What if small family farms aren’t the best way to organize American agriculture? From New Mexico’s high desert to Iowa’s hill country to the grassy expanses of the Carolinas, the answer is that there is a better way. Big Team Farms is a journey among farm and food businesses that are challenging convention when thinking about growing food, working together, and caring for landscapes. These farms are not obsessing about small scale and family ownership, but instead prioritizing their customers, employees, and success as businesses.
Informed by deep research and personal experience, this presentation will tackle questions like:
- Is it possible to empower farmworkers without driving up food prices?
- How do we craft environmental protections without threatening farms?
- Are small, family-run farms the best farms?
We’ll explore alternative farm business models and shine a light on the often underestimated roles of collaboration, collectivism, and democracy in American agriculture, offering a hopeful vision for a future that’s more inclusive, resilient, and better for workers and consumers alike.
Speaker: Sarah Cox