SESSIONS & SCHEDULE

This is a tentative schedule subject to change.
Please check the app for the official schedule.
View 2026 Draft Conference Schedule Here

Friday

8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Farmers Market Training — Eileen Kotowich
Join Eileen Kotowich, Farmers’ Market Specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation as she presents Market Manager Training. This workshop provides an overview of the Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market Program, the Guideline requirements, the roles of the various stakeholders involved in markets and an overview of the regulations managers and vendors should know. This is a required training for existing Alberta approved farmers’ market managers and is a good resource for those interested in sponsoring a new market. Joining Eileen will be a public health inspector with Alberta Health Services to explain what is and isn’t allowed for food vendors selling at approved farmers’ markets. Come to learn, share and get your questions answered.
9:15 am – 10:00 am
Data-Driven & Fair-Ready: Smarter Event Planning, Ticketing and Operations —
Jason Roy
This session offers a clear, step-by-step plan for Ag Societies to streamline operations, use data from past events, improve ticketing and gate flow, and prepare volunteers for success. Drawing from hands-on experience supporting over 100 Agricultural Societies across the country, Jason shares practical, approachable strategies built specifically for non-tech users.
9:15 am – 10:00 am
Ideas from the other side… to help stretch your budget —
Marty Stevens
10:15 am – 11:00 am
The Sky’s an Opportunity: Drones on Today’s Farm —
Marcus Weber
This session hits the top uses transforming farms and the regulatory changes still needed to keep pace. LandView Drones partners with ag societies to deliver their two-day Ag Drone School across the Prairies.
10:15 am – 11:00 am
Turning Attendee Communication Into Revenue —
Shaharyar Ahmad

Every fair needs to communicate with thousands of attendees throughout an event, an expensive and difficult affair.

This session shows how to turn event communication into a sponsorship opportunity using SMS. Learn practical sponsorship models, real results from the AAAS Convention, and how to implement this approach without adding operational complexity.

10:15 am – 11:00 am
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities —
Lahn Jones & Mary Dawn Eggleton
Learn about two initiatives supporting mental wellness in rural communities: the Rural Mental Health Network and Buddy Up, a men’s suicide prevention campaign. Discover how to bring these programs into your community and access available resources.
1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
Everyday Magic: The Power of Rural Stories -
Bili Miller
A reflection on the resilience, connection, and traditions that define rural communities, and how Ag Societies play a central role in celebrating and sustaining them through events and leadership.
1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
Risk Ready: Protecting Your Agricultural Society from the Unexpected — Perry Cramer & Patricia Thomson
A practical look at operational, financial, legal, and cyber risks facing agricultural societies, and how effective risk management and insurance solutions can protect your organization and board.
1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
A Wicked Tail: Chasing the Root Causes of Animal Welfare Concerns — Leanne Niblock
In A Wicked Tail: Chasing the Root Causes of Animal Welfare Concerns, the Executive Director of the Alberta SPCA explores the complex and often hidden factors that contribute to animal welfare challenges in Alberta and beyond. This thought-provoking session delves into the systemic, social, and economic drivers behind neglect and mistreatment, offering insights into how organizations, communities, and policymakers can work together to address root causes rather than symptoms. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the interconnected issues shaping animal welfare and leave with actionable strategies for creating lasting change.
1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
How Servus Helps You Win — Heather Karst, Laural Rackel, & Adam Wolfe
Loans and lines of credit that Servus offers and leasing products that Servus Credit Union is now able to do.
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
The Status Quo Can Lead to the Status Woes! — Penny Lees-Smith
An overview of how operational changes, insurance gaps, cyber risks, and governance issues can affect Ag Societies, and what boards should understand to stay protected.
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
Grow Your Show - Attract More Exhibitors and Visitors — Karen Berglund
You’ve got all the right elements for an outstanding bench show- a super show book, keen volunteers, and capable judges. Are you looking to attract more exhibitors and fill your benches with exhibits? This session brings a gallery of bright ideas gleaned from bench shows across Alberta. Big show or small; old hand or a new show convenor; you will go home with practical marketing strategies you can start using ... NOW!
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
Agroforestry Solutions for Marginal Land Use — Winston Gamache
A look at different agroforestry practices that can be applied to marginal or underutilized lands to help restore and make the most of them. We will explore how these practices can benefit your operation, and the environment, discussing best practices to succeed in this work. We will also go over the services AWES offers and potential funding pathways for these projects.
5:45pm - 6:00pm OPENING KEYNOTE
Making Calm Contagious: How We Think, Feel, and Lead in Uncertain Times — Celina Caesar-Chavannes
We’re living—and leading—through constant change. For volunteer leaders and community builders, that pressure shows up everywhere: meetings, decisions, conflicts, and conversationsthat feel heavier than they used to.
This opening keynote sets the table for the entire conference by helping participants understand what’s really happening in the brain under stress—and why calm, clarity, and good judgement are harder to access when the world feels chaotic.
Through plain-language neuroscience, relatable stories, and practical insights, participants will learn:
Why stress shortens patience and fuels conflict
How emotions quietly shape communication and decision-making
What it actually means to “pause” in a way that improves outcomes
How calm leadership creates safer, more productive groups
This session isn’t about perfection—it’s about (Self) awareness. When leaders understand how their brains work, they lead with more empathy, steadiness, and influence. And that calm becomes contagious.

Saturday

10:15 am – 11:15 am
Government of Alberta Grant Program Stripped Down — Carmen Andrew, Colin Gosselin & Monika Warring
Carmen, Colin, and Monika will walk through the annual Ag Society Grant, breaking down what you need to know and how to approach it with confidence.
10:15 am – 11:15 am
Building Your Community Through Open Farm Days: Exploring Corridors of Connection — Tannis Baker & Sydney Jerome

This session is designed for Ag Societies to explore hosting thematics for Open Farm Days. From planning pop-up markets or fairs, to bus tours and driving routes, and community events such as picnics, lunches, or dinners. The session features real examples from Ag societies sharing real-world insights and exploring budgets and planning methods.

Participants will learn simple, realistic ways to plan, budget and promote their Open Farm Days event, and build stronger community connections. Attendees will leave with a straightforward planning framework, a draft 30-day content plan, and a clear promotional plan outlining what to share, when to share it, and where to post.

Come with an open mind- leave with a plan!

10:15 am – 11:15 am
You Make THE Difference — Ian Hill
10:15 am – 11:15 am
Branding Cohesiveness for Non-Profits: Social Media & Beyond — Brittany Miller

A clear and consistent brand helps non-profits be recognized, remembered, and trusted. This session explores how Agricultural Societies can create cohesive branding across social media, websites, signage, and events to improve visibility and recognition.

Attendees will learn branding essentials, how to create consistency online and in-person, and how to build recognition through a strong, professional presence that supports long-term community engagement.

10:15 am – 11:15 am
The Shed Effect: What Men Say in Sheds — Kevin Halliday
Many men carry a lot—but don’t talk about it. And here’s the kicker...Most men
don’t talk things out sitting across a table. They talk while fixing something. Walking the fence line. Driving a truck. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a shop or a shed. In The Shed Effect, Kevin Halliday shares why these matters and how understanding them can make a real difference for men, families, and communities.
Drawing from his own experience and years of working with men, Kevin explains why action-based, side-by-side spaces work better than formal conversations for problem-solving, decision-making, and dealing with pressure. This session isn’t about labels or therapy. It’s about uncovering how men actually think, process stress, and work things through. Kevin shows how the right environment helps men stay strong, clear-headed, and connected—without having to explain everything or “open up” in uncomfortable ways. It’s a practical, grounded session that respects how men are wired and gives participants a better understanding of themselves and the men around them.

Participants will:
- Understand why men communicate and think differently
- Learn why side-by-side settings work better than face-to-face talks
- Recognize how pressure and stress show up in men’s lives
- Gain simple ways to create better conversations without forcing them
- Leave with tools they can use at home, at work, and in the community

If you don’t need therapy—but you do want things to work better—this session is for you.
10:15 am – 11:15 am
TBD — Joel Cowley

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Tips and Tricks to Getting Your Grant Application Done Right the First Time — Monika Warring
Learn how to make the most of your Annual Grant Application and get it right the first time. Monika will share practical tips to help eliminate rework and answer your questions. This session is delivered in two parts to allow ample time for discussion.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Social Media Strategies for Ag Societies in 2026 to Increase Engagement & Visibility — Brittany Miller

This session helps Agricultural Societies use social media strategically in 2026 to increase engagement and volunteer participation without adding overwhelm.

Topics include adapting to platform changes, creating content people want to engage with, and using repeatable ideas to attract and connect with community members and volunteers.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Strings Attached: How to Attract, Engage & Keep the Volunteers & Members Your Society Depends On — Marc Haine
Ag Societies don’t lose good people overnight—they lose them gradually. Enthusiastic volunteers slowly disengage, meetings feel heavier, and the same small group is left carrying the load. Strings Attached helps boards understand why this happens and, more importantly, what they can do about it. In this session, Member Experience Strategist, Marc Haine Marc Haine walks participants through five distinct milestones that members and volunteers move
through over time. At each stage, boards explore the unspoken questions people
are asking, the needs that must be met to keep them engaged, and the behaviours
that signal whether someone is moving forward—or quietly checking out.
When those needs are missed, even unintentionally, members don’t just disengage—they slide into what Marc calls the Pit of the Tainted: a state where frustration, cynicism, and resentment take hold, often becoming the source of conflict, resistance, and board dysfunction.
This session gives boards a shared framework and common language to recognize where individuals are on their journey, understand the consequences of misalignment, and make more intentional decisions that keep good people engaged, valued, and willing to serve.
Participants will:
- Learn the five milestones members and volunteers move through
- Identify the needs and questions associated with each stage
- Recognize behaviours that signal someone is drifting toward
disengagement
- Understand how boards unintentionally drive people into the Pit of the
Tainted
- Gain a practical framework they can use to improve engagement, retention,
and board dynamics immediately
If you’re looking to create a path towards higher engagement, increased levels of loyalty, and a brand people will feel connected to, this presentation is for you.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Bylaw Review — Tim Carson
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Board Financial Literacy — Melanie Harty
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Crisis or Continuity? Insights and Opportunities to Reinvigorate Volunteering — Miki Stricker-Talbot & Rochelle Nieuwenhuis
Is volunteering in crisis—or simply evolving? To find answers to that question, Volunteer Alberta, together with their partners InWithForward spent time Lethbridge, Fairview, and Edmonton conducting ethnographic research, to explore how everyday Albertans experience volunteering. The 17 ethnographies surfaced five opportunities areas and 15 ideas to test to reinvigorate volunteering. In this session, participants will learn about the logic behind social design methods, find out about the dreams and values of the Albertans we met with, and start imagining alternative futures for contribution and volunteering.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Making Calm Contagious - Better Decisions, Better Conversations, Better Boards — Celina Caesar-Chavannes

1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Protect the Legacy: A Behind-the-Scenes Fair Audit Workshop — Kryssie Thomson
Every fair, festival, and ag society runs on passion, but passion alone doesn’t keep things running smoothly. This workshop offers a behind-the-scenes look at your organization’s inner workings, identifying what’s strong, what’s strained, and where simple changes can make a significant difference. You’ll leave with a clear sense of what’s working, what’s at risk, and practical ways to protect your legacy while building something that lasts.
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Empowering Minds — Ian Hill
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
AI Without the Eye-Roll: Simple Ways AI Can Save Time, Reduce Burnout & Help More People Say “Yes” — Marc Haine
Let’s be honest—when some people hear “AI,” they picture robots taking over the
world, replacing volunteers, or making things way more complicated than they
already are.
Relax. That’s not this session.
AI Without the Eye-Roll is a fun, plain-language, no-tech-degree-required session
that shows how AI can help Ag Societies save time, reduce frustration, and make
board and volunteer work easier—not scarier.
This is a playful, live-demo session where Marc uses real Ag Society scenarios
(and real audience questions) to show how AI can help with everyday tasks boards
already struggle with, such as:
- writing volunteer requests that actually get responses
- cleaning up meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-ups
- cutting down on repetitive paperwork and emails
- improving communication with members and communities
- creating clearer event and sponsorship messaging
- helping new board members feel supported instead of overwhelmed
No jargon. No pressure. No “you should already know this.”
Just practical examples, a few laughs, and lots of “Oh... that would actually help.”
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
You Are Not a Freak of Nature… You Are Nature! — Jesse Schewchuk
"Many women involved in Ag Societies and community leadership are tired—and
not just “I need a nap” tired. They’re juggling work, family, volunteering, caregiving,
and expectations to keep everything running smoothly, often without stopping to
ask how they’re actually doing. With warmth, humour, and real-life stories, Jesse Schewchuk helps women understand what’s happening in their bodies and minds—and why feeling
exhausted, overwhelmed, or “not like yourself” doesn’t mean something is wrong
with you.

In this session, Jesse reframes well-being as a strength, not a weakness, and
shows how healthier women create healthier boards, families, and communities.
Participants leave feeling seen, understood, and reminded that they don’t have to
carry everything alone.
Participants will:
- Understand why burnout is so common—and why it’s not a personal failure
- Learn simple ways to protect their energy and mental well-being
- Feel less guilt about rest, boundaries, and asking for help
- Gain compassion for themselves and others going through life transitions
- Leave feeling validated, supported, and more grounded

If you’re exhausted, stretched thin, and quietly wondering how much longer you
can keep going—this session is for you."
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Making a Great First Impression — OAAS
Thinking about a refresh but not sure where to begin? The First Impressions Program from Ontario is designed for you. This unique program helps you view your fair through fresh eyes, offering valuable insights into how visitors experience your event. It’s an excellent opportunity to identify meaningful improvements that can enhance guest satisfaction and overall impact. Participants will also enjoy a collaborative networking experience, working alongside another Agricultural Society to strengthen and elevate their annual fall fair or event. Join us to learn how small changes can lead to big results!

Sunday

9:15 am – 10:30 am
Closing Keynote & Closing Remarks