Presentation Name: I have my Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Now What? Tips and Tricks to an Effective PPE Management Program.

Presenter Name: Cory Stengel, senior occupational health consultant with Oregon OSHA.

Brief Description: This presentation will focus on how to manage personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace. Once the hazards are identified in the workplace and the PPE is purchased, how to do a PPE Hazard Assessment, how to get buy-in from the employees, and the common reasons there is resistance to wearing PPE and how to overcome that.

Time: Wednesday, Jan. 15: 10-11 a.m.

Presentation Name: Accessing USDA Energy Grants.

Presenter Name: David Funk, president of Zero Emissions Northwest.

Brief Description: Zero Emissions Northwest is a farmer-first energy consulting firm at the intersection of agriculture and energy. We help farmers apply for and win USDA energy grants, saving time, energy and money. Everyone thinks solar, but it’s more than that — it could be insulation for a shop, new equipment, heat pumps, spray drones and more. We’re officially contracted with the USDA to educate people about these grant programs. ZEN provides full service grant writing, energy assessments, fleet services and fuel savings.

Time: Wednesday, Jan. 15: 11 a.m.-noon

Presentation Name: Conservation Resources and Opportunities for Working Lands.

Presenter Names: Rachel Kato, Chelsea Blank, Cesar Zamora, Becky Pineda.

Brief Description: A review of resources available for conservation technical assistance and funding at your local SWCD, with a focus on Marion County.

Time: Wednesday, Jan. 15: Noon-1 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 17: 10-11 a.m.

Presentation Name: Updates from the NRCS Snow Survey: Current Hydroclimatic Conditions. Early-Season Water Supply Outlook, and Network Expansion.

Presenter Name: Matt Warbritton, Supervisory Hydrologist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Brief Description: This session will provide updates on the early-season water supply outlook and current mountain hydroclimatic conditions. In addition, an update will be provided on an initiative to expand the program’s monitoring network to enhance available data for partners and customers.

Time: Wednesday, Jan. 15: 9-10 a.m.

2025 Northwest Agricultural Show Keynote Speaker: Kait Thornton, Agricultural Content Creator

Brief Description: Kait Thornton is a fourth generation farmer and Washington State University graduate from Tonasket, Wash., who is pioneering a different type of career in the agricultural space. Amassing hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, Thornton shares her passion for farming online by connecting consumers with growers and educating them about the everyday tasks of managing fruit orchards.

Time: Thursday, Jan. 16: 11 a.m. to noon.

Presentation Name: Farming and Communications in Modern Media Spaces: Panel.

Panel: Kait Thornton, Agricultural Content Creator; Austin McClister, Oregon Farm Bureau; Tim Ray, Chemeketa Community College; and Susie Nelson, Corban University.

Brief Description: Hear from professionals from around the Pacific Northwest about their history in agriculture, their experience with marketing and farming, and what the future of communications in the industry might look like.

Time: Thursday, Jan. 16: 1-2 p.m.

Presentation Name: Conservation Practices and Financial Assistance Opportunities for Landowners.

Presenter Name: Will Fett, outreach coordinator, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Brief Description: USDA offers conservation practices that can help landowners address resource concerns. With financial and technical assistance available, implementing sustainable practices can benefit an agricultural, forestland or Tribal production operation. Learn about the popular EQIP and CSP programs and how to begin your conservation journey.

Time: Thursday, Jan. 16: 2-3 p.m.

Presentation Name: USDA Can Help Farmers, Ranchers, and Stewards of Private Lands.

Presenters: Representatives of FSA, NRCS, RD and RMA.

Brief Description: USDA agencies serve the nation’s farmers, ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural and non-industrial private forest lands. Agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance, conservation programs, farm safety net programs, lending and disaster programs. Learn about what the USDA has to offer from the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development and the Risk Management Agency.

Time: Friday, Jan. 17: 9-10 a.m.

Presentation Name: Save Energy – and Money – at Your Farm

or Rural Small Business.

Presenters: Tom Elliott, energy analyst, and Kegan Craig, program engineer.

Brief Description: Learn how to start planning your energy and money-saving project for your agricultural or rural small business. We can help with project planning, provide information about available incentives and rebates, and answer your questions about irrigation, HVAC and lighting. Join us to learn more and stop by our booths, 49 & 50, in Jackman Long.

Time: Wednesday, Jan. 15: 2-3 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 16: 9-10 a.m.

Presentation Name: What’s Next for Oregon Agriculture? Legislative and Regulatory Update from Oregon Farm Bureau.

Presenters: Oregon Farm Bureau’s Government Affairs Team: Lauren Kuenzi, Jenny Dresler and Ryan Krabill. Moderated by Austin McClister, OFB director of communications.

Brief Description: The panel will give an overview, from both a legislative and regulatory perspective, of the current challenges facing farming and ranching across Oregon and how to get involved to maintain the viability of our agricultural industries.

Time: Thursday, Jan. 16: 3-4 p.m.

Presentation Name: How a Professional Farm Manager Can Help You.

Presenters: Skye Root and Bradley Calaway — Root Agricultural Advisory.

Brief Description: This session will help you thrive in 2025 by providing you with tools to navigate the complexities of modern agriculture, optimizing your operations and achieving sustainable growth. The concept of professional farm management is not widely utilized across the Western USA. The Root Agricultural Advisory team brings a fresh perspective to helping farm and agribusiness families succeed across generations. We can help you plan for your short, intermediate and long-term goals.

Time: Thursday, Jan. 16: 9-11 a.m.

Presentation Name: How Solar and Energy Efficiency Can Help Save Money on Home Utility Bills.

Presenters: Stephanie Kruse, P.E., facilities engineer, and Taylor Swan and Maria Robinson, residential outreach manager.

Brief Description: Heard about solar but not sure where to start? Concerned about increasing energy utility bills? Curious about heat pumps and if they might work for your home? We’ll discuss where to start saving energy at home and how to apply for available incentives and rebates. Join us to learn more and stop by our booth, 49 & 50 in Jackman Long.

Time: Wednesday, Jan 15: 3-4 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 16: 10-11 a.m.

Presentation Name: Agricultural Succession Planning – Traps for the Unwary!

Presenter: Con P. Lynch, Attorneys at Law, PC.

Brief Description: With over 35 years of estate and business planning Con Lynch is driven to provide innovative strategies for family businesses in transition. The complexity behind Oregon estate tax returns is important to understand and estate tax can be mitigated with the Natural Resource Credit or Exemption elections, so long as you meet the criteria. The importance of succession planning, dealing with family issues, and having great professional advice can’t be reiterated enough. You will learn about how planning ahead could very well keep your operation in family ownership.

Time: Friday, Jan. 17: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Presentation Name:

Ask

Energy Experts: Learn How to Reduce Your Energy Costs

Presenter: Kegan Craig, program engineer – Agriculture

Brief Description: Join local energy experts to learn how you can save energy and reduce utility costs at your farm, business and home. Join us for an open session Q&A and stop by booth 50 in Jackman Long – we’d love to connect.

Time: Friday, Jan. 17: 11 a.m.-noon.

Presentation Name: Ask Energy Experts: Learn How to Reduce Your Energy Costs

Presenter: Oregon Department of Energy, Tom Elliott, energy analyst.

Brief Description: Join local energy experts to learn how you can save energy and reduce utility costs at your farm, business and home. Join us for an open session Q&A and stop by our booth 49 in Jackman Long.

Time: Friday, Jan. 17: Noon-1 p.m.