AGENDA AND SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

Registration will open at 8:00am. The registration process may take a couple minutes. We will check you in and give you a conference bag that includes a snazzy mug and a $5 voucher to our Makers' Market. Solar Roast coffee, granola bars, and other light snacks will be served.

We will start our day with a Land Acknowledgment, Language Justice Statement, remarks from Pueblo Food Project and Pueblo Count Extension Office, key announcements for the summit, review of our community agreements, and an update on the Pueblo Food Project.

Innovative Solutions: Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics is the use of land for both solar energy and agricultural production. This exciting, emerging field brings fresh opportunities for Colorado farmers, businesses and communities to increase self-sufficiency while adopting more sustainable practices. Hear from academic and industry leaders in this dynamic panel, as we discuss the innovative applications, current uses, and community-wide benefits of agrivoltaics.

Room A - Food Systems | Value Added Products for Producers
Value-added products are a simple and fun way to expand your customer base and sell your agricultural products year-round! Intended for large-scale farmers and backyard gardeners alike, in this panel you'll hear from growers who have successfully developed value-added products and learn what resources are available in Pueblo to make market-ready products.

Room C - Agriculture | Meat & You
Come learn about locally sourced meats and the benefits they hold for you. This session will include information on the value of eating local and the various flavor profiles and complexities of local products, along with details on livestock and their production in Pueblo County and the surrounding area.

The Barb - Food for You | Rooted in Mindfulness: Consciously Cultivating Peace and Purpose Through Microgreens
Participants will explore the intersection of mindfulness practices and sustainable agriculture by engaging in the simple yet powerful practice of growing microgreens. This workshop will demonstrate how cultivating these nutrient-dense plants can nurture not only the body but also the mind, fostering a sense of calm, focus, and purpose. Through practical techniques, attendees will learn to slow down, connect with nature, and integrate mindful practices into their daily lives while growing fresh, sustainable food.

Room A - Food Systems | Colorado Food + Agriculture Regenerative Transition Conversation Tour Engagement Session
Join us for an interactive session focused on shaping the future of regenerative food and agriculture policy in Colorado. This session is designed to bring together farmers, ranchers, food system advocates, and policymakers to co-create solutions that support a just transition to regenerative agriculture. Your voice is critical in ensuring that regenerative transition policies are built on lived experiences, equity, and the realities of land stewardship. Whether you’re deeply engaged in regenerative agriculture or just starting your journey, this session is an opportunity to connect, contribute, and help shape the movement. Let’s build a resilient future together!

Room C - Agriculture | Beneficial Bugs & Birds
Complementing the morning bird walk, this session will engage you on a deeper level, learning about birds of the area, who’s who and why they are important. It will also cover information on beneficial pollinator insects and their role in a sustainable and equitable landscape.

The Barb - Food for You | Herbs for Stress Relief & Resilience
Join Tammi, as she shares the many herbs that can be used in daily lifestyle for the stress we all experience in our lives and today's world.  She will discuss how to prepare them for use, as well as how to grow them in your garden or on your patio.

Room A - Food Systems | Permaculture Playtime: Principles & Problem Solving for Pueblo & Beyond
Join Angelina & Mo for some permaculture fun! Permaculture offers a way of thinking to better harmonize with ecological, internal, & social environments. Through games and conversation, we will introduce the 12 principles of permaculture, discuss their origins, and demonstrate how they can be applied at home, & in community.

Room C - Agriculture | Agritourism - Growing Backyard Grapes
Wanting to learn about what grape varieties grow best in Pueblo? Come learn from the best person to ask! You'll learn about backyard growing, best varieties to get, when to plant and so much more. Grapes also pair great with Pueblo Chiles so we will be adding some culinary resources in this class.

The Barb - Food for You | Homegrown Abundance: Growing Vegetables in Containers
Are you new to gardening? Are you looking for alternatives to in-ground gardening? Or do you just want to have fun learning something new? Learn with Colorado Master Gardener, Kata Schmidt, about growing in containers. This class will go over container sizes, soil health, and more. Each participant will take home their own plant start!

Collaboration & Nourishing the Community - Storytelling of the Eastside Farmers Market
Join several Pueblo food systems organizations on their journey to create a farmers market focused on food access in Pueblo’s Eastside Neighborhood. Get an in-depth look into the successes of the program and an honest review of the challenges faced. This session will also feature the voices of community members and vendors who attended the market.

Thank you for joining us this year. Please do give us feedback so we can do better next year! 

Conference participants will get to explore ideas, try products, and support local food businesses at the Maker’s Market and Idea Fair. See what’s happening with local foods and take home some goodies to share with family and friends using your $5 coupon courtesy of Pueblo Food Project. Enjoy local beer and wine at the market.