WFC Annual Conference

Wyoming Food Coalition & Working Group Updates – 9:00am-10:15am

This year has been filled with events and initiatives for the Wyoming Food Coalition. There was a monthly Speaker Series each led by one of the seven working groups, a monthly newsletter which included a working group highlights and  upcoming events, news, and food and agriculture resources, and overall building the foundation of the organization. Each of the seven working groups have all been working on their own initiatives and efforts in support of the overall Coalition. 

Meat Packing & Industry – 10:15am-11:45am

This session will focus on the current meat industry in Wyoming and new meat packing laws in our state. Meat producers across Wyoming will join to discuss and answer questions regarding the current meat industry in Wyoming. Check out last year’s session on meat packing & processing here.

Speakers:

• Dan Waldvogle, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
• Frank Schmidt, Legacy Meats
• Kelcey Christensen, 307 Meats
• Ruby Ward, Utah State
• Amanda Winchester, CWC Meat Science

Crop Diversity & Specialty Crops – 12:15pm-1:15pm

There is a diverse range of specialty crops currently grown in Wyoming. Producers will speak about their farm operations and answer questions about their efforts. Along with other food producers across the state, Wyoming Food Coalition President Adam Bunker will discuss the efforts and growing methods of Papa Joe’s Produce based in Sheridan, WY. 

Speakers:

• Cole Ehmke; UW Extension
• Sarah Cowan; Cowan Flowers, Wheatland
• Adam Bunker; Papa Joe’s Produce, Sheridan
• Bob Jordan; High Plains Growers Cooperative, Gillette
• Ethan Page; CWC Incubator Farm; Small-scale sustainable farming, Riverton
• JoAnne Englehaupt; Rusty Bucky, Owner, Rozet

Producer Feedback & Lessons Learned – 1:25pm-2:55pm

This session will focus on recommendations, feedback, and the lessons learned by Wyoming food producers. From environmental change to pest management, join this session to learn more about how to adapt as a food producer in Wyoming. Additionally, join us to let us know what you have learned as a food producer in Wyoming.

Speakers:

• Jeremiah Vardiman; Powell County Extension Agent
• Terri Craft; Lloyd Craft Farms, Worland
• Scott Richards; Shoshone River Farms, Cody
• JoAnne Englehaupt; Rusty Bucket, Owner, Rozet

Strong Native Communities: Native Food Ways – 3:10pm-4:10pm

Wyoming’s native communities discuss and answer questions about native food and traditions. This session, led by Strong Native Communities working group chair Rhonda Bowers, will host Wind River Nation (Formerly Growing Resilience), where they will discuss growing gardens and creating food justice within native communities. 

Speakers:

• Rhonda Bowers; Northern Arapaho
• Pat Harris; Northern Arapaho
• Clarisse Harris; Northern Paiute
• Wind River Nation; Growing Gardens & Food Justice

Wyoming Soil Health Initiative – 4:20pm-5:00pm

This session will focus on the current updates and next steps in building a state-wide soil health initiative in Wyoming. Led by Jay Norton (University of Wyoming, College of Agriculture) and Michael Selmer (Sustainable Ecosystems Chair).

Speaker:

• Jay Norton; University of Wyoming, College of Agriculture