Enjoy virtual access to all seminars for one year. Be sure to check out the virtual vendor and sponsor booths.

with Celeste Malvar-Stewart

A presentation on how I use alpaca fibre within my fibreshed to create high-end and couture fashion using a sustainable model, and how we can create important bridges between our fibre producers and designers/makers/artists. In addition to the presentation, several examples will be shown on mannequins for a more tactile experience.

A Farmer’s and Scientist’s Quest to Make the Perfect Seedstock with Dr. Brett Kaysen

Brett L. Kaysen, Ph.D., is the senior vice president of producer & state engagement for the National Pork Board. He leads the organization-wide effort to establish pork as the responsible protein of choice. He works to strengthen food chain and consumer understanding of pork production practices by developing research-based communication strategies that engage and influence key decision makers. 
Prior to this role Brett was the Western Regional Business Director for the U.S. Pork Business at Zoetis, Dr. Kaysen lead a team of 11 sales professionals who served pork producers and swine veterinarians with their animal health needs.  While at Zoetis, he also was a Dairy Production Specialist, helping dairy producers apply data and genomics to improve health and profitability on their dairies in Colorado and Kansas. 
Before joining Zoetis, Dr. Kaysen was a key member of the Animal Sciences department at Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins.  There, he spent five years as Interim Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator and 13 years in various instructor positions; in 2012, he was selected to receive the Best Teacher Award given by the CSU Alumni Association.   
Dr. Kaysen believes strongly in youth leadership development, and has served on the National Junior Swine Association as Youth Advisory Board Chairman.  In addition, during his time at Colorado State University, he coached the livestock judging team for six years and also spent two years as Youth Extension Specialist where he developed numerous 4-H livestock materials and programs to further strengthen Colorado’s agricultural youth programs.  He resides in Iowa, where he, his wife, and their two daughters raise pigs which they enjoy showing locally and nationally.

EPD expert Lynn Edens will guide you through the importance of decision making when it comes to breeding for better fiber.

Generating Revenue for Your Farm No Matter the Size with Shelly Walsh

Gain tips and tricks for creating alternative revenue streams for your farm, specifically when it comes to agritourism.

Join this panel for a brainstorm session on how you can create new revenue streams for your farm or business.

Panelists include:
Leigh Ann Schultz, Harvest Hosts
Shelly Walsh, Good Karma Ranch
Faye Farley, Majestic Meadows Alpacas & Boutique
Jerry Forstner, Magical Farms

Marty McGee Bennett, the founder of CAMELIDynamics, has traveled from the wilds of Patagonia to Peru and around the world studying llamas and alpacas and teaching others to understand them. Marty has always been interested in animals and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Behavior. She has studied with some of the most influential animal trainers and teachers in the world Linda Tellington-Jones, Terry Ryan, Karen Pryor, Bob Bailey, Dr. Susan Friedman, Teresa McKeon, Dr. Susan Brown and others. She has created a constantly evolving method for understanding and working with camelids in a way that not only gets the job done but enhances the human animal bond.

Join camelid expert Dr. Pam Walker as she discusses the process of caring for crias — from conception to birth, and beyond.

Join camelid expert Dr. Pam Walker as she walks you through your camelid medicine cabinet.

Understand fleece basics from the skin to shearing and what makes one alpaca's fleece better than another.

Understanding the importance of conformation and how to assess your alpacas' conformational strengths and weaknesses.