Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Russell Hedrick
Farmer/ Business Owner
Russell is a first-generation farmer from North Carolina, where he farms JRH Grain Farms, LLC. Russell is known as one of the most progressive young farmers in the country and has been a featured producer for profitably farming by reducing fertilizer inputs and using soil health practices on cash crops. Russell's operation focuses on maximizing profits and direct consumer marketing for all their products. He is the co-founder of Regen Mills and Heritage Ground with Liz, as well as co-owner of Soil Regen, LLC, Russell is also the founder of Farmers Reserve Distillery, a farmer owned and operated distillery using regenerative grains to make bourbons, whiskeys and other liquors.
Russell Hedrick
Farmer/ Business Owner
Soil Regen
Heather Darby
Agronomy Specialist
Heather Darby is an agronomic and soils specialist for the University of Vermont Extension. Her work is focused on sustainable agriculture and promotion of environmental stewardship of the land. Heather is involved with implementing many research and outreach programs in the areas of fuel, forage and grain production systems in New England. Outreach programs have focused on delivering on-farm education in the areas of soil health, nutrient management, organic grain and forage production, and oilseed production. Research has focused on traditional and niche crop variety trials, weed management strategies and cropping systems development.
Heather Darby
Agronomy Specialist
University of Vermont
Breakout Session Speakers
Farmer Panel- Origins of Regenerative Agriculture: Culture & Climate Resilience
Thelonius Cook
Moderator, Mighty Thundercloud Edible Forest
Gerardo Martinez
Wild Kid Acres
Dr. Mae Hey
Friendship Gardens, Virginia Tech
Natalie McGill
Perennial Roots
Grains
Chris Morrison
Hoober
Utilizing Precision Agriculture to Facilitate Conservation Practices on Farm/Benefits
Tim Woodward
Virginia Seed Company
A Cover Crop Presentation That's a Little Different
Small Farms & Urban Agriculture
Bill Tharpe
MDA
Resource Roundable
Jayme Arthurs
NRCS
Resource Roundable
Sarah Hirsh
UME
Cover Cropping for Small Acres
Emily Zobel
UMD Extension
Resource Roundable
Dr. Naveen Kumar Dixit
UMES
Soil Health in Organic Production Systems
Chris Bohinski
NRCS/ Farmer
Farmer Experiences in Organic Crop Production and Soil Health
Leigh Archer
Rodale
Perennial Tree Crops suited to organic production in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Climate Smart Ag
Terry Nuwer
Hughes Center for Agroecology
Climate Smart Ag Project
Scott Raubenstine
Perdue Agribusiness
Low Carbon Products & Practices
Specialty Crops
Nazirahk Amen
Purple Mountain Grown
Growing Small Grains, Beans, Legumes and Alternative Crops with a Soil Health Mindset
Zach Dittmar
Dittmar Farms
Growing Specialty Crops for Market Using a Soil Health Mindset
Livestock
Alice Crothers
Long Green Farms
Incorporating Conservation into Farm Business Plan
Tad Williams
Virginia Tech
Nutrient Managment Planning on beef and dairy farms
Emerging Strategies
Soil Health Champions
Panel Discussion- What are they trying? What’s working and not working?
Jayme Arthurs
NRCS
A Look at the New Soil Carbon Amendments NRCS Standard
Economic Opportunities/Markets
Scott Raubenstine
Perdue Agribusiness
Carbon Farming & Soil Resiliency – It’s More Than "Simply a Payment”
Farmer Panel- Can Soil Amendments Increase Soil Health and Productivity?
Chris Brosch
Moderator, Delaware Department of Agriculture
Steve Kraszewski
Farmer, Mason's Heritage
Jay Baxter
Farmer, Baxter Farms
Blaine Hitchens
Farmer