Join us for the Farmer Training Convergence
The fifth annual Convergence is coming up on August 28 & 29!
This year's event will feature opportunities to learn directly from farmers and food systems advocates with hands-on workshops and educational sessions focused on skills and farming practices that cultivate resilience and joy. Topics include biochar, dryland farming, vermicompost, and flower farming alongside discussions focused on local food production, traditional ecological knowledge, land access, and regenerative practices. Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be available both days.
Event Schedule Sneak Peak:
Friday, August 28 (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
-
- Keynote by Carlyle Stewart (
)
- Regenerative Farming Year Round - Dean and Susan Vidal (
)
- Presentation by Tracy Raymond (
)
- Land Access Possibilities in the Southwest - Evanne Caviness (
), Mike Morris (), Emma Lietz Bilecky () and more!
- Presentation by James and Joyce Skeet
- Tour of the Old Fort's new Long Term Land Access Plot for prospective farmers
- A Beginner's Guide to Poultry - Samantha Griggs (
)
- Vermicompost Workshop - Frank Dean (
)
- Food Processing, Wash, Pack Demo in the Old Fort's recently completed Community Processing Barn
- Conservation Implementation on the Rez - Yolanda Benally
- Old Fort Field Tour
- Locally-catered lunch catered by Sage Farm Fresh Eats
- Ice Cream Social, networking opportunity featuring goodies from Cream Bean Berry
-
Saturday, August 29 (8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
-
- Flower Farming Basics & Bouquet Making - Mindy Perkovich (
)
- Biochar Basics & On-Farm Demonstration
- Hopi Dryland Permaculture Plot Workshop and Tour - Matthew Bahnimptewa (Old Fort Field Assistant)
- Fort Lewis College Food Intern Presentation Panel featuring students working with
,
, Sweetlove Farm, the FLC Indigenous Garden, and more.
- Locally-catered lunch catered by Zia Taqueria
- And more!
-
Registration & Cost
Friday August 28, 8:30am to 5pm
Saturday August 29, 8:30am to 1:00pm
Single Day Ticket: $35.00
Two-Day Ticket: $60.00
Registration includes lunch
Scholarships available, email
oldfortathesperus@fortlewis.edu to request.
Vendor booths and sponsorship opportunities available, contact us for more information