2026 Agriculture Summer Conference: Full Schedule

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8:00am MDT

Engaging School Administrators and Educational Leaders

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

This session will help teachers connect with your administrators and tell the story of your ag program in a way that sticks. You’ll walk away with simple, practical ideas for showing your program’s impact, using data that makes sense, and getting admins more involved and supportive.

Speakers

Jill Wagner

State Relations Specialist, National FFA Organization

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
A206 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

8:00am MDT

Honey Bee Pest & Disease Management

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

TBA

Jenna Crowder, Utah State Apiary Inspector with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, will discuss honey bee pests and diseases that are known to occur in Utah, and how to combat them. As an inspector with UDAF, she will also touch on the regulatory requirements for keeping bees in Utah, and will discuss emergent invasive threats to honey bees that are on the horizon.

Speakers

Jenna Crowder

State Apiary Inspector and Diagnostic Entomologist, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
TBA

Workshop Rotation

8:00am MDT

Practical Tech Tools for the Ag Classroom

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

A102

This workshop is designed to help agricultural education teachers build confidence with practical, time-saving technology tools. We will explore user-friendly platforms like Canva for creating engaging classroom materials, along with emerging AI tools to support lesson planning, content creation, and organization. Participants will gain hands-on ideas and simple strategies they can immediately implement to streamline their workflow, enhance student engagement, and stay current with evolving technology—without adding extra stress to their day.

Speakers

Dave Shaffer

Agriculture Teacher, Bear River High School

David is a BRHS graduate. He went onto USU where he earned both Bachelors and Masters Degrees.

He currently teaches Welding at Bear River High.

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
A102 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

8:00am MDT

Ultrasound in the Classroom

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

A205

Speakers

Janette Shields

Agriculture Teacher, Tooele High School

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
A205 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

8:00am MDT

Utah Farm Bureau

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

A105

Speakers

Terry Camp

Vice President for Public policy, Utah Farm Bureau

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
A105 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

8:00am MDT

YouScience Test

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT

A203

Only one exam may be taken per conference. Tests available to take are: Ag Biology, Animal Science 1, Vet Science 1, Natural Resource 1, Aquaculture, Ag Mechanics 1, Floricutlure, Greenhouse

Speakers

Kellie Openshaw

Utah State Director, YouScience

Kellie Openshaw is the energetic force behind Utah's career guidance revolution! As the Utah State Director for YouScience, she's on a mission to redefine how we navigate education and careers. At home, she loves cool hikes, hot yoga, relaxing with a book, and watching movies with... Read More →

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am MDT
A203 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

8:00am MDT

Electronics and Programming for Agricultural Systems (Double Block)

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:50am MDT

A109

This two-hour workshop will provide teachers with a turn-key curriculum and Canvas course for using Arduinos to teach electronics and programming controls for automation of agricultural systems. Hands-on activities will guide participants through using the curriculum and algin to content standards. Attendees receive a classroom kit for their students.

Speakers

Michael Pate

Professor and Graduate Program Diretor, Utah State University

Michael L. Pate, Ph.D., is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education Department at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. A former agriculture teacher from Arkansas, he has spent more than 15 years advancing high‑quality, engaging agricultural and career and... Read More →

Brad Borges

Professional Practice Assistant Professor, Utah State University

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:00am - 9:50am MDT
A109 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

9:00am MDT

ADVS 1110 Merging into the High School Classroom

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

A105

This workshop is designed to support concurrent enrollment instructors in successfully integrating ADVS 1110 into the high school setting. Participants will explore strategies for aligning college-level expectations with high school structures, while maintaining rigor, relevance, and student engagement. The session will focus on pacing, curriculum alignment, and assessment practices.

Speakers

Chad Page

Sheep and Goat Specialist; Extension Assistant Professor, Utah State University

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
A105 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

9:00am MDT

Ag in the Classroom

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

A202

Speakers

Bekka Israelsen

Director; Extension Assistant Professor, Utah Agriculture in the Classroom; Utah State University

Bekka is an Extension Assistant Professor at Utah State University and is the State Program Director for Utah Agriculture in the Class.

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
A202 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

9:00am MDT

State Veterinarian Updates - New and Emerging Diseases in Utah

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

A103

Choose your own adventure! The audience will choose the species and Dr. Sabo will share information on the diseases most likely to be in the news or of highest concern for these animals. Topics will include New World Screwworm, Equine Herpesvirus, Vesicular Stomatitis, and many more. We will also briefly cover show season tips and leave plenty of time for Q&A.

Speakers

Dr. Sabo

Assistant State Veterinarian and Animals in Disasters Coordinator, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
A103 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

9:00am MDT

The Summer Ag Intern Program: Perspectives from the Field

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

A206

Hear directly from teachers and former interns about the lasting value of the Summer Ag Intern program. Panelists will share personal experiences and practical insights on building meaningful relationships that extend well beyond the internship and continue to benefit students, programs, and agricultural education for years to come.

Moderators

Brian Warnick

Professor, Utah State University

Speakers

Clinton Aston

Agriculture Teacher, Sky View High School

Kris Thompson

Agriculture Teacher, Box Elder High School

Steven Babbitt

Agriculture Teacher, Grantsville High School

Hannah Wardell

Agriculture Teacher, Pleasant Grove High School

Colton Ingram

Agriculture Teacher, Roy High School

Sabree Wall Hutcheon

Former Intern; New Agriculture Teacher, Granite Technical Institute

Emily Alderman

Former Intern; Agricultural Education Student, Utah State University

Cassidy Walters

Current Intern; Agricultural Education Student, Utah State University

Olivia Peterson Naser

Current Intern; Agricultural Education Student, Utah State University

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
A206 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

9:00am MDT

Ultrasound in the Classroom

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

A205

Speakers

Janette Shields

Agriculture Teacher, Tooele High School

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
A205 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

9:00am MDT

YouScience Test

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

A203

Only one exam may be taken per conference. Tests available to take are: Ag Biology, Animal Science 1, Vet Science 1, Natural Resource 1, Aquaculture, Ag Mechanics 1, Floricutlure, Greenhouse

Speakers

Kellie Openshaw

Utah State Director, YouScience

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
A203 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

10:00am MDT

Land and Soils Evaluation

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

A102

This hands-on Land and Soil Judging Workshop is designed to help participants build practical skills needed for contest success. The workshop will focus on three key areas: determining land slope, identifying soil texture, and accurately completing the homesite evaluation contest card. Participants will gain real-world experience by measuring slope in the field, texturing and comparing three different soil samples, and working through a guided key for the homesite evaluation. This interactive session will strengthen both understanding and confidence in applying soil and land judging techniques.

Speakers

Malcolm Rose

Agriculture Teacher, Wasatch High School

Heber City, UT

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
A102 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

10:00am MDT

State Veterinarian Updates - New and Emerging Diseases in Utah

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

A103

Speakers

Dr. Sabo

Assistant State Veterinarian and Animals in Disasters Coordinator, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
A103 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

10:00am MDT

Supervised Agriculture Experiences and National FFA SAE Awards

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

A202

This one-hour workshop will guide teachers through the Agriculture for Youth SAE Risk Assessment component required as part of the 2027 National FFA SAE Awards Agreement Form. Participants will practice completing the SAE Risk Assessment form using case studies. Powder River Livestock Equipment will share advise on how to be successful in applying for the Utah SAE Safety Award.

Speakers

Becki Lawver

Department Head and Professor, Utah State University

Michael Pate

Professor and Graduate Program Diretor, Utah State University

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
A202 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

10:00am MDT

Understanding the Abused and How to Help Them

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

A201

Some of the children who need the most support are often the ones who quietly blend in and go unnoticed. This class will give you the tools to know how to reach the kids that go undetected and feel alone. You don't have to be a therapist to make a massive impact on the lives of abused and struggling kids

Speakers

Grace Howard

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
A201 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

10:00am MDT

What’s New at USU (with Aggie Ice Cream!)

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

A206

Stay in the know with fresh updates straight from USU covering advising resources, scholarships, concurrent enrollment, transfer pathways, and program changes that could make a difference for you and your students. As if that wasn't enough reason to show up, we'll sweeten the deal with world-famous Aggie Ice Cream.

Speakers

Michelle Burrows

Assistant Professor; Team Leader, Utah State University; National Center for Agricultural Literacy

Caisa Shoop

Academic Advisor, Utah State University

Tyson Sorensen

Professor and Program Lead, Utah State University

Brian Warnick

Professor, Utah State University

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
A206 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

10:00am MDT

You Da BOMB

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

A105

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of work-life balance? It’s time to take charge and ‘explode the BOMB’ (Boss of My Boundaries) in your life. Setting boundaries isn’t just about saying no...it’s about making space for what truly matters: your well-being, your family, and your passions. Learn how to clearly define your limits at work and at home without feeling guilty. By embracing boundaries, you’re not just protecting your time; you’re prioritizing your mental health, productivity, and overall happiness. It’s about striking a balance that works for you. Take control, set your limits, and thrive...without the guilt!

Speakers

Jessica Grundy

Agriculture Teacher, Wayne High School

I am passionate about leadership and learning. I live each day to the fullest and am constantly look for opportunities to better myself and those around me. I am a Mentor Facilitator for NAAE and have been in the classroom trenches for the past 18 years. I enjoy new adventures and... Read More →

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT
A105 West Field High School 2007 S. 4300 W. Taylor, UT 84401

Workshop Rotation

10:00am MDT

YouScience Test

Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT

A203

Only one exam may be taken per conference. Tests available to take are: Ag Biology, Animal Science 1, Vet Science 1, Natural Resource 1, Aquaculture, Ag Mechanics 1, Floricutlure, Greenhouse

Speakers