2024 agenda coming soon! see past presenters and topics below.
October 26th, 2023
10am - 3pm
Pierce cedar creek institute
701 W Cloverdale Rd, Hastings, MI 49058
Michigan Native Plant Guild Panel - Multiple Presenters Amy Heilman is a certified landscape designer and has been planning and implementing sustainable gardens for over 20 years, and her business, The Living Garden, refers to the ecologic life that can be brought to any space with the presence of appropriate native plant species. Her goal is to encourage property owners to take an active role in the planning and care of their gardens and to use these spaces to learn about the natural world and the web of life they support. Amy is interested in learning how Michigan women in agriculture may be using native plants to improve soil health, pest management and pollination. Esther Durnwald has owned and operated Michigan Wildflower Farm (MWF) with her husband, Bill since 1996. Located in Portland and founded in 1988, MWF produces documented native Michigan genotype seed, is a supplier of Great Lakes Region genotype seeds, provides specialized native landscaping services and hosts educational opportunities. Esther oversees the operation of MWF with the help of an amazing team of employees and especially enjoys using the farm as an opportunity to share the value and beauty of nature with others. Andrea Lubberts, (BA/BS Calvin University) supports active Plaster Creek Stewards team as the Program Manager. Working with PCS for 14 years from volunteering to her current position, Lubberts is passionate about all aspects of watershed ecological restoration and expert in none—thus welcoming and engaging many people and viewpoints under the understanding that “everyone can do something.” Alysia G. Babcock is a Conservation Steward, Master Naturalist, Advanced Master Gardener, completed the KBS Field Botany Class and is a Certified Shoreline Professional. She has volunteered on The Kal-Haven Trail with the Wildflower Restoration Project, with Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and is currently a member of the Strike Team with Rockford Sustainability Committee. Alysia is the owner of The Garden Guru Kzoo, LLC (garden design/implementation/maintenance, invasive removal, garden makeovers, specializing in Native Plants) and has a Native Plant Nursery. In 2021 the business expanded and has a crew in the Rockford/Grand Rapids area. Recently goats were added to assist with invasive plant removal. Debra Montgomery started Go Grow Plant Natives Nursery in 2017. Her nursery produces Michigan genotype only native plant material including grasses, sedges, flowers, shrubs and trees in most instances growing plant material from seeds and berries. Sales include retail by appointment, wholesale to landscapers, other nurseries and plant sales for non-profits. Deb supplies plant material to conservation districts for their plant sales as well as fund raisers for schools, libraries, and nature centers. -end Native Plant Guild speakers- Kylie McElrath, Ducks Unlimited Kylie started with Ducks Unlimited in November of 2021. Kylie is responsible for developing, delivering, and administering agriculture programs throughout Michigan and Ohio. Kylie earned her bachelor's degree in natural resources and master’s degree in conservation biology from Central Michigan University. Kylie has prior experience with various wildlife species in environments such as Great Lakes coastal wetlands, prairie pothole wetlands of North Dakota, grasslands and agricultural land of Nebraska, and uplands of Idaho. Carla Iansiti, MSU Sustainability Carla has been an integral part of Michigan State University (MSU) for 26 years, where she currently works in Student Life and Engagement. Her journey at MSU began as a Food Supervisor in Culinary Services, overseeing cafeteria operations. In 2008, she transitioned to a newly created role as the Culinary Services Sustainability Officer when MSU expanded its recycling programs and established the Recycling Center Surplus Store. In this role, Carla developed food waste programs and implemented recycling training practices for staff and students. Later, Carla moved into a Divisional Role as the Student Life and Engagement Sustainability Officer, where she played a key role in promoting sustainability efforts and enhancing student engagement opportunities. Collaborating with various stakeholders within the MSU community, she contributed to making the university a GOLD-level Sustainability institution with a strategic plan to combat climate emissions by 2050. Carla's dedication to sustainability and her impact at MSU have been notable, making her a driving force behind the university's ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility. Networking Session Each conference date will host a networking session, inviting all of our attendees, presenters, and additional invited experts, to meet and discuss their careers, passions, and experiences. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Tour Join us at the end of the conference for a tour of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute nature preserve. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is home to over 800 acres of managed wetlands, forests, and prairies full of native wildlife. They are a hub of outdoors education and outreach, offering visitors a valuable opportunity to experience nature. |
November 2nd, 2023
10am - 3pm
Chateau Chantal Winery
15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City, MI 49686
Kasey Wierzba
Winemaker, Shady Lane Cellars
Winemaker, Shady Lane Cellars
Amanda Danielson
Owner & Beverage Director, Trattoria Stella
Lead Consultant & Educator, Wordy Girl Wine Wise
Co-founder, City of Riesling™
Founder, Intentional Agriculture
Advanced Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers the Americas
After opening up restaurants internationally - including Sao Paolo, Brazil where she caught the wine bug - Amanda returned to her native Detroit and began taking a scholastic approach to wine. In early 2000, she moved north to Traverse City, Michigan; and, in July of 2004, opened Trattoria Stella, the first business in the redevelopment of the old state hospital. In July of 2014, Amanda launched the City of Riesling symposium, which brings Riesling makers from all over the world to Traverse City for an ambitious weekend of wine tasting and education with the ultimate goal of bringing awareness of the overall economic and environmental impact of "wine country" to its denizens. Amanda continues to direct the beverage and staff development programs at Trattoria Stella, which she operates with business partner, Executive Chef Myles Anton, and a team of managers with combined tenure of over ninety years among them. Thanks to the growth and success of her team, Amanda has extended her educational reach and operational influence through her educational consulting business, Wordy Girl Wine Wise. Most recently, Amanda started the wheels turning on Intentional Agriculture, a non-profit with the objective to connect more people with better farming through education. In collaboration with Michigan State University and MSU Extension, she launched the annual conference, Dirt to Glass: Elevating Michigan Wine from the Ground Up in the summer of 2022.
Networking Session
Each conference date will host a networking session, inviting all of our attendees, presenters, and additional invited experts, to meet and discuss their careers, passions, and experiences.
Chateau Chantal Winery Tour
Owner & Beverage Director, Trattoria Stella
Lead Consultant & Educator, Wordy Girl Wine Wise
Co-founder, City of Riesling™
Founder, Intentional Agriculture
Advanced Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers the Americas
After opening up restaurants internationally - including Sao Paolo, Brazil where she caught the wine bug - Amanda returned to her native Detroit and began taking a scholastic approach to wine. In early 2000, she moved north to Traverse City, Michigan; and, in July of 2004, opened Trattoria Stella, the first business in the redevelopment of the old state hospital. In July of 2014, Amanda launched the City of Riesling symposium, which brings Riesling makers from all over the world to Traverse City for an ambitious weekend of wine tasting and education with the ultimate goal of bringing awareness of the overall economic and environmental impact of "wine country" to its denizens. Amanda continues to direct the beverage and staff development programs at Trattoria Stella, which she operates with business partner, Executive Chef Myles Anton, and a team of managers with combined tenure of over ninety years among them. Thanks to the growth and success of her team, Amanda has extended her educational reach and operational influence through her educational consulting business, Wordy Girl Wine Wise. Most recently, Amanda started the wheels turning on Intentional Agriculture, a non-profit with the objective to connect more people with better farming through education. In collaboration with Michigan State University and MSU Extension, she launched the annual conference, Dirt to Glass: Elevating Michigan Wine from the Ground Up in the summer of 2022.
Networking Session
Each conference date will host a networking session, inviting all of our attendees, presenters, and additional invited experts, to meet and discuss their careers, passions, and experiences.
Chateau Chantal Winery Tour
November 9th, 2023
10am - 3pm
Mid Michigan College
Outdoor Education Center
1375 S Clare Ave, Harrison, MI 48625
Monica Jean
Tess Van Gorder
Morgan MathisonSlee
Mariel Borgman
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Monica Jean, MSU Extension with Tess Van Gorder, Michigan Farm Bureau
"Climate-Smart Agriculture: Keeping You Farming in a Changing Climate" Monica serves central lower Michigan with an emphasis on the Saginaw Bay watershed region. Her position covers a large variety of crop production including corn, soybean, edible dry beans, potato and integrated crop and livestock systems. Monica is involved in cover crop, soil health, nutrient management and cropping system research projects. She enjoys conducting practical, on-farm research and working with farmers to improve the weather resilience of their farms. Monica is the Michigan chair for the Midwest Cover Crop Council and the North Central Climate Collaborative. Tess Van Gorder is a Conservation and Regulatory Relations Specialist at Michigan Farm Bureau. She works with farmers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and universities on environmental issues and solutions such as agricultural film plastic recycling, energy, ecosystem services markets, and groundwater discharge permitting. In addition, Tess is part of the leadership team for the Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program. Tess previously worked at ENGIE Insight, an energy and sustainability management firm out of St. Paul, Minnesota on natural gas procurement. Morgan MathisonSlee, MSU Center for Regenerative Agriculture "Economic Services and Holistic Wellbeing" Morgan MathisonSlee is currently a post-doctoral research associate at Michigan State University working with the Department of Community Sustainability and the Center for Regenerative Agriculture. After obtaining a PhD from Michigan State in 2022, Morgan began working on a multi-institute research project investigating the role of metrics, monitoring, and management on grass-based beef production systems. Primarily, Morgan is currently working on the monitoring of ecosystem services provided by grasslands being managed by livestock and how to use monitoring as a feedback tool for teaching farmers about the use of adaptive multi-paddock grazing to improve soil health and ecosystem function. Mariel Borgman, Michigan Farm to Institution Network "Building Community and Marketing Opportunities via Michigan’s Farm to Institution Network" Mariel Borgman is a Community Food Systems Educator with the MSU Extension serving the southwest Michigan region. Mariel’s areas of focus include supporting local and regional food systems, developing farm to institution value chains, and supporting beginning farmers. Her background includes degrees in Sustainable Business and Natural Resources, as well as certificates in organic farming and permaculture. She also has a micro-farm and grows vegetables, cut flowers and chickens for family and friends. Networking Session Each conference date will host a networking session, inviting all of our attendees, presenters, and additional invited experts, to meet and discuss their careers, passions, and experiences. |