What's Next? - Opportunities to Grow through Farm Bureau
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

After developing your skills through Farm Bureau and learning more about the organization, what’s next?  Through this workshop, we will discuss the opportunities that exist in and out of Farm Bureau to use and refine your leadership abilities. 

Dana Fisher is the coordinator of the Growing Leaders and Young Farmer programs for Virginia Farm Bureau and serves as a Senior District Field Services Director for two counties.  Across these duties, his passion lies in connecting people with the resources they need to succeed.  Dana was raised on a small beef cattle farm in the Shenandoah Valley and spent over 10 years as a high school agriculture teacher before coming to Virginia Farm Bureau.

VAFAIRS: Adding Value to Your Farm Operation
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM 

A VAFAIRS workshop on “Adding Value to Your Operation” provides producers with practical tools, training, and resources to strengthen their businesses and explore new market opportunities. Drawing from VAFAIRS’ extensive experience delivering educational programs statewide, the workshop highlights value‑added strategies, cooperative development principles, and real‑world examples of successful agricultural ventures. Participants learn how to leverage business planning, feasibility assessments, and grant‑supported technical assistance to enhance profitability and long‑term sustainability. The session also connects producers with VAFAIRS staff and peers for continued collaboration, networking, and support.

Whitney Perkins, MPA, CAE, serves as the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Development & Innovation at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation where she leads business and cooperative development efforts for the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability. With over a decade of rural and value‑added agriculture experience, she has supported more than 250 clients in receiving $20 million in grant and loan funding, generating an estimated $84 million economic impact for Virginia’s rural communities. She serves on the Virginia Society of Association Executives Board of Directors and is President of the Louisa County Fair. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Perkins now resides with her husband on her family’s sixth generation farm in Louisa County.

Crucial Conversations
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM 

How do you navigate a difficult conversation? In this session, we’ll explore where tensions tend to rise and how different communication styles play a role. You’ll learn practical strategies for having tough but healthy discussions.

Maegan Meredith is the Director of Leadership and Organizational Training for AFBF. She provides internal consulting and training services for Farm Bureau organizational development and develops strategies for strong programs. Maegan grew up in Polk City, Florida where her family has a small cow-calf and citrus operation. She obtained her bachelor’s in agriculture studies at Warner University. She later completed her master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Florida, in Agriculture Education and Communication with a specialization in leadership. Her research focused on confidence development in Florida YF&R Leadership Group participants

Cultivating Compassion, Unlocking Confidence
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM 

Together in this workshop we will explore how to build self-awareness, foster more compassionate curiosity, and embrace simple yet powerful tools to support us on our journeys ahead both personally and professionally. By the end of our time together, you’ll discover potential roadblocks standing in your way and a new superpower for overcoming them so you can confidently lead with compassion, courage, and clarity.

Kiah Twisselman Burchett, better known as Coach Kiah, is a California cattle rancher turned Kentucky-based international motivational speaker on a mission to empower others to love themselves deeper, care for themselves better, and find joy in this messy, beautiful journey of life. Named one of Cowgirl Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30, Coach Kiah uses her vulnerability and infectious energy to show others how to overcome hardships and discover their inner vibrance to become the main characters in their own lives.

From Cows to Crowds: How Agritourism Saved Our Farm and Tips on How to Get Started
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM and 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

In 2016, an idea to plant a few acres of sunflowers blossomed into the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival—the largest sunflower festival and vendor show on the East Coast. In this session, I’ll share how my family’s 1927 dairy farm transitioned to beef cattle and diversified into agritourism to keep our land productive and profitable. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes story of starting an event from scratch, the challenges of marketing and managing growth, and how community partnerships, creativity, and persistence have turned our farm into a regional destination. Whether starting fresh or expanding, you’ll leave with strategies and inspiration to help your farm thrive.

Candace Monaghan is a nature lover and artist. She enjoys getting outdoors to hike and hunt, especially spring gobbler season. Candace was born and raised in Buchanan Va in Botetourt County and attended Virginia Western Community College and graduated with an Applied Science degree in Communication Design. In 2007 following the birth of her first child she decided to leave the job she had and start her own business, Candace Monaghan Design, so she could keep her home and still provide to the family income. Candace pulled in clients from around the valley designing promotional pieces, logos, magazines, and working on fine art pieces like painting the Virginia Tech Hokie bird statues and hosting paint night parties around the area. She is blessed to still be working for herself with wonderful clients. In 2016 she went out on a limb and founded the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival on their family farm in Botetourt County. The festival consists of 21 acres of black oil sunflowers running two back-to-back weekends with events all throughout the week. There is over 120 handmade craft and food vendors, live music, children’s activities, dinner among the sunflowers, goat yoga and special days for senior citizens, preschoolers and special needs children and adults. Scholarships are awarded to two deserving high schoolers in the county and to two non-profits in the county as well. Admission has grown to 20,000+ and Candace is excited to see what the future holds.

The Table as Sacred Space: Hospitality, Faith, and Farm Life
10:00 AM - 10:50 & 11:00 - 11:50 AM

Hospitality, faith, and farm life meet at the table in this heart-centered workshop with Jennifer Bryington, founder of The Gathering Kitchen. You’ll discover practical ways to set a welcoming table, create simple meals, and spark meaningful conversations—all while embracing presence over perfection. Rooted in everyday farm life, Jennifer will inspire you to turn ordinary moments into lasting connections. 

Jennifer Bryington is a sixth-generation farmer and the founder of The Gathering Kitchen, where she inspires women to connect everyday life to meaningful gatherings. Growing up next door to her grandma, Jennifer learned the joy of being in the kitchen and the gift of time at the table—harvesting, feasting, and discovering the power of shared meals. From her father, she inherited the gift of gab and a deep love for listening, valuing others through their stories. These early lessons shaped her heart for hospitality, rooted in faith, farm life, and the simple act of gathering around the table. Connect with Jennifer on Instagram @the_gatheringkitchen

Agriculture in the Classroom
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Hungry for some new ideas?  Come join AITC’s pizza party and receive activities and resources using everyone’s favorite take-out to celebrate agriculture.  While you might not leave with a fresh slice, you will get flavorful new ideas and learn of the latest resources AITC has to support you.

Lynn Black joined Agriculture in the Classroom in 2007 and over that time her primary responsibilities have included curriculum writing, workshop facilitation, program outreach, and resource development.  In her current role as Director of Education, she seeks to provide educators and volunteers with relevant and engaging resources that connect children of all ages to agriculture.  A native of Richmond, Virginia, Lynn began her career in education as a teacher in Hanover County, Virginia after graduating with a Masters in Teaching from the University of Virginia.  She currently resides in Hanover with her husband and two school-aged children.

Miriam Thomas 
Miriam Thomas is the Education Outreach Coordinator for Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. She is a former school teacher of 14 years who began her journey with AITC when she attended a professional development. Miriam has two children, one dog, one cat, and one chinchilla. Her favorite things include spending time with her family and friends, reading and writing for fun, traveling and exploring nature.