National Farm Viability Conference: Full Schedule

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8:00am MDT

Resilience Meets Recordkeeping: Building Whole‑Farm Strength

Thursday September 24, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am MDT

Good recordkeeping is one of the most overlooked tools for improving farm viability—and it becomes even more powerful when integrated with conservation and risk‑management planning. This session helps participants connect financial records with whole‑farm resilience by showing how everyday numbers can reveal the economic value of water management, soil‑building practices, and climate‑smart decisions. Building from NCAT's Finish Strong: Practical Farm Recordkeeping framework and the Abundant Ogallala project's producer-led conservation approaches, attendees will explore how to track not only cashflow, income, and expenses but also the impacts of conservation actions on long‑term profitability, risk exposure, and operational stability. Participants will practice linking financial and conservation data to answer essential questions: Which practices actually save money? How do drought and water insecurity show up in the numbers? What records help farmers make better decisions in an unpredictable climate? This session equips advisors, planners, and farmers with low-barrier tools that improve business clarity, strengthen resilience, and support whole-farm planning aligned with the conference priority areas of financial management and climate adaptation.

Speakers

Darron Gaus

Assistant Director of Agriculture, NCAT

Darron Gaus is the Assistant Director of Agriculture at the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), where he leads producer-centered projects focused on farm resilience, water conservation, financial decision-making, and climate adaptation. He manages the Abundant Ogallala... Read More →

Thursday September 24, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am MDT
Alvarado F

Climate Adaptation and Risk Management, Farm Financial Management

10:00am MDT

How to Grow and Cultivate Farm Stories and Land Succession Through Technical Assistance Support

Thursday September 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT

Alvarado F

A moderated panel discussion on land retention and transfer from Michael Carter Jr with Africulture, Ebonie Alexander of Black Family Land trust (and two to other farmers not yet confirmed) to discuss through land retention and transfer plans related to their story and farming practices and principles. This will be a moderate panel discussion and workshop, providing tools and takeaways to use in the field.
We will heavily delve into the cultivating all farmers most consistent crop and that’s their story.
Intended audience: Technical assistance providers, heirs property advocates, legislative influencers, landowners, and anyone with family that owns land
The key skills are land transition plans, strategies and approaches, land valuation and framing how the land and farming is perceived. Benefits of trust, wills, communication and different ways of farming to make the farm viable, profitable and transition worthy will be discussed sharing our personal stories and experiences.

Speakers