National Farm Viability Conference: Full Schedule

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8:00am MDT

Identifying Policy Problems and Developing Advocacy Campaigns

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

Farmers and practitioners often encounter that there are policy solutions that do not properly address the problems they face. It is important for that reason to have policy solutions grounded in the experience of farmers and practitioners who operate on the ground and who implement policy programs. This session centers hands-on experience in identifying and addressing programming problems that farmers and practitioners encounter in their daily work by engaging with policy and advocacy experts who will facilitate discussion on how to appropriately engage with policymakers and agency administrative personnel. The session will illustrate how to find solutions in partnership and coalition to hurdles farmers and food producers encounter in making use of the programs made available to improve farm operations and practices in our food and agricultural system. Attendees to this session will hear first from advocacy experts who will present steps to be considered when launching an advocacy campaign, as well as different tactics used in efficient advocacy geared towards educating the general public, agency personnel, and policymakers. Attendees will then identify problems that they are facing or witnessing in farm operations including in existing programs or programming that could help fill a gap. Attendees will break into groups where session presenters will facilitate an advocacy exercise while guiding attendees through the steps and considerations to be taken when bringing the problem they select to work on to light, and specific and effective advocacy tactics to consider. The session will close out with short sharebacks and a panel discussion where participants will get to ask questions to the presenters to address barriers they encountered as part of their advocacy plan. The session will be divided in time with 20 minutes to hear from presenters on steps and considerations in developing an advocacy campaign, 40 minutes to work in self-select groups based on common interest and participate in the exercise. In the last 30 minutes, participants will share back with the rest of attendees and presenters their approach and ask the presenters the most pressing questions their group faced. By the end of the session, participants will have: - Advocacy basics, who can advocate, and the rules around lobbying - identify policy issues that can be improved in their area of work - reviewed tools and strategies to evaluate how these issues are experienced by the diverse populations they serve - Discuss specific tactics available and how your organization may employ them in a campaign - The importance of storytelling, and how you can turn that into a tool for effective advocacy

Speakers

Duncan Orlander

Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

One Policy Specialist from NSAC will co-present and share components of their work in engaging directly with policy makers. Policy specialists at NSAC have extensive experience working to develop policies that reflect the needs of our diverse coalition, rooted in the experiences of... Read More →

Emily Liss

Will likely be Tim Fink, AFT's VP of Policy

Tim Fink

Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli

Nezahualcoyotl "Neza" (he/him) is a Senior Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). Neza brings nearly 20 years of experience working in rural communities in Mexico and Central America and in the US South. His training in anthropology... Read More →

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

Agricultural Policy and Advocacy

10:00am MDT

Guarding the Ground in Eastern New Mexico: Sentinel Landscapes, Water Security, and Farm Viability

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

Fireplace

In Eastern New Mexico, producers are on the frontlines of severe climate stressors, particularly extreme drought and the rapid depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer. To keep farms and ranches viable, agricultural advisors need innovative, regionalized approaches.
This 90-minute session will explore how the Eastern New Mexico Sentinel Landscape approach provides a model for climate adaptation and farm viability that is applicable to advisors across the country. The session will begin with a 15-to-20-minute broad overview of the Sentinel Landscape program nationally and locally, highlighting its direct impact on farmers and the broader New Mexico region.
For the remainder of the session, the panel will dive into specific farmer case studies. Rather than focusing on program eligibility, we will share an inquisitive, replicable approach to farm resilience. We will talk through real-world scenarios using a three-part framework: (1) identifying primary risks, (2) selecting appropriate land management or operational responses (showcasing a range of both low/high cost and low/high tech solutions), and (3) examining the ultimate result for farm viability. Attendees will leave with an adaptable framework to help producers in any region assess risks, select management responses, and improve their bottom line through the SL model.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the broader regional and national impacts of the Sentinel Landscape approach on agricultural operations and local ecosystems. Apply a three-step framework used by Sentinel Landscape practitioners to evaluate on-farm risks and select operational responses, utilizing a spectrum of low-to-high cost and low-to-high tech solutions. Abstract and apply these risk-management and land-management strategies to different regions and farming operations outside of the Sentinel program to improve long-term farm viability.
Intended Audience: Farm and food business advisors, conservation planners, and climate adaptation professionals who support producers in arid environments.

Speakers

D'Llaynn Bruce

District Conservationist, US Department of Agriculture

D'Llaynn Bruce is a natural resources professional based in Eastern New Mexico with experience supporting conservation, agriculture, and community-based initiatives. Her work focuses on fostering collaboration among landowners, agencies, and partner organizations to advance sustainable... Read More →

Dylan Marks

Board Member, Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District

Dylan Marks serves with the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District in Eastern New Mexico, where he works closely with agricultural producers, landowners, and local partners to support sustainable land and water management practices. His work focuses on advancing conservation... Read More →

John Tunberg

Contractor, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts

John Tunberg serves with the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, where he supports and advocates for conservation districts across the state in their efforts to protect and enhance natural resources. His work centers on strengthening partnerships between local districts... Read More →

Marco Lueras

Eastern NM Sentinel Landscape Coordinator, LegacyWorks Group

Marco Lueras is a program coordinator and strategic partnerships professional focused on conservation, land management, and community engagement in Eastern New Mexico. He currently serves as the Coordinator for the Eastern New Mexico Sentinel Landscape (ENMSL), where he works at the... Read More →

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

Climate Adaptation and Risk Management, Land Access Retention and Transfer