Elected Officials
Friday Speakers
LABOR CONFERENCE
Friday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Studios 9 & 10, 2nd floor
Chair: Katie Ramagos Nuñez
“Hot Topics in Ag Labor”
- Barron Dickinson, Legal Affairs Counsel, SESO
- Chris Schulte, Partner, Fisher Phillips
AITC Workshop
Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m.
Galerie 1, 2nd floor
Chair: Sally Ramagos
Chantelle Hataway, 2024 Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year & 2025 National AITC Award of Excellence Winner, Lafargue Elementary School
Chantelle Hataway, 2024 Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year & 2025 National AITC Award of Excellence Winner, Lafargue Elementary School
ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE
Friday, June 19 at 10:45 a.m.
Studios 2, 3 & 4, 2nd floor
Chair: Benson Langlinais
“Understanding WOTUS & PCC Status in 2026”
Courtney Briggs, Senior Director Government Affairs, AFBF
“NRCS update from Louisiana’s State Conservationist”
Sarah Trichel, State Conservationist, NRCS
Courtney Briggs, Senior Director Government Affairs, AFBF
Farm-to-Table CONFERENCE
Friday, June 19 at 10:45 a.m.
Studios 9 & 10, 2nd floor
Chairs: Amelia Kent & Marty Wooldridge
“Challenges & Successes in Farm to School Programs”
Josh Geigle, Bell Bar Ranch, Wall, South Dakota
Josh Geigle, Bell Bar Ranch, Wall, South Dakota
General Session
Friday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Acadia, 3rd floor
Invocation & Pledge
Michele Simoneaux, LFBF State Board, WLC Chair
Call to Order
Richard Fontenot, LFBF President
Comments from Dignitaries
LSU AgCenter Report
Agricultural Report
Mike Strain, DVM, LA Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry Commissioner
Farm Bureau Insurance Companies Report
Allen Bares, State Manager & Executive Vice President
President’s Report
Richard Fontenot, LFBF President
AgriPAC/Foundation Annual Reports
Richard Fontenot, LFBF President
Richard Fontenot, LFBF President
Allen Bares, Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance State Manager & Executive Vice President
Saturday Speakers
DAIRY CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 8 - 9 a.m.
Studios 3, 4 & 5, 2nd floor
Chair: Susie Sharkey
“Navigating Dairy Policy & Pricing in 2026”
Danny Munch, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation
“Louisiana Dairy Industry Promotion Board Annual Report”
Michelle Estay, LA Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry
Danny Munch, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation
BEEKEEPERS CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 8 - 9 a.m.
Studio 7, 2nd floor
Chair: Warren Hoag
“Moving to the Next Step in Beekeeping: From Hobby to Business”
Kevin Ancelet, Ancelet’s Honey Farm
SUGAR CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 8 - 10 a.m.
Salons D & E, 3rd floor
Chair: Bryan Simon
“The U.S. Sugar Program: At a Crossroads”
Carlann Unger, USDA, Farm Production & Conservation Business Center
“Louisiana Sugarcane Issues Update”
- Jim Simon, General Manager, American Sugar Cane League
- Jamison Cruce, Vice President of Govt. Relations, American Sugar Cane League
“The Biofuels Landscape in Louisiana”
Dr. Anurag Mandalika, Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana State University
Carlann Unger, USDA, Farm Production & Conservation Business Center
RICE CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 8 - 10 a.m.
Studios 8, 9 & 10, 2nd floor
Chair: Allen McLain
“Louisiana Economic Development Update”
Jessica Steverson, LED, Director of Strategic Initiatives
“Arkansas Sake & Value-Added Innovations”
Jeremy & Whitney Jones, Isbell Farms, England, Arkansas
“Federal Policy Update”
Jake Westlin, Vice President of Government Affairs, USA Rice
Jessica Steverson, LED, Director of Strategic Initiatives
FORESTRY CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 9 - 10 a.m.
Studios 3, 4 & 5, 2nd floor
Chair: Jody Vidrine
“What EUDR Means for Our Business & Our Future”
Carter Crosby, Vice President of Land & Minerals Division, Crosby Land & Resources, LLC
Carter Crosby, Vice President of Land & Minerals Division, Crosby Land & Resources, LLC
MARKET PRODUCE CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 9 - 10 a.m.
Studio 7, 2nd floor
Chair: Arthur Lirette
“Update on LSU AgCenter’s Vegetable Field Days & Cut Flower Workshop”
Dr. Kathryn Fontenot, Southwest Region Director, LSU AgCenter
“Update from Statewide Vegetable Specialist”
Dr. Christine Coker, Professor-Extension & Research Coordinator, Hammond Research Station; Statewide Vegetable Specialist, LSU AgCenter
Dr. Kathryn Fontenot, Southwest Region Director, LSU AgCenter
OYSTER & SHRIMP CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 10 - 11 a.m.
Studios 3, 4 & 5, 2nd floor
Chairs: Carolyn Falgout & Natachia Stelly
“Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture, Forestry, & Aquaculture’s Efforts for Seafood Safety & Promotion”
Mike Strain, DVM, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry
Mike Strain, DVM, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry
NURSERYMEN CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 10 - 11 a.m.
Studio 7, 2nd floor
Chair: Vacant
“Hammond Horticultural Updates for Nursery Growers”
Dr. Damon Abdi, LSU AgCenter Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture
Dr. Damon Abdi, LSU AgCenter Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture
LIVESTOCK CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Salons D & E, 3rd floor
Chair: Mitch Marsalis
“Silicon Ranch Agrivoltaics: It’s not ‘OR.’ It’s ‘AND.’”
Sam O’Rourke, Director, Policy & Government Affairs, Silicon Ranch
“2026/2027 Beef Cattle Market Outlook”
Dr. Joshua Maples, Associate Professor & Undergraduate Coordinator, Mississippi State University
“LBIC Update”
Allen Blanchard, Chairman, LA Beef Industry Council
Dr. Joshua Maples, Associate Professor & Undergraduate Coordinator, Mississippi State University
SOYBEANs, WHEAT & FEED GRAINS CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Studios 8, 9 & 10, 2nd floor
Chair: Donald Schexnayder
“Biologicals & Biostimulants: Fact or Fiction?”
- Dr. Laura Lindsey, Professor, Soybean & Small Grain Production, The Ohio State University
- Dr. David Moseley, Asst. Professor & Soybean Specialist, LSU AgCenter
“FarmMind: Putting AI to Work for Your Farm to Save Time & Your Bottom Line”
Colin Raby, CEO, FarmMind
Dr. Laura Lindsey, Professor, Soybean & Small Grain Production, The Ohio State University
Dr. David Moseley, Asst. Professor & Soybean Specialist, LSU AgCenter
SWEET POTATO CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Studio 7, 2nd floor
Chair: Jason Ables
“Louisiana Sweet Potato Industry Update”
Cole Gregorie, LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Specialist & Foundation Seed Coordinator Sweet Potato Research Station
Cole Gregorie, LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Specialist & Foundation Seed Coordinator Sweet Potato Research Station
Jen Gomez, The Joyful Strategist
PUBLIC POLICY LUNCH
Saturday, June 20 at 12 – 1 p.m.
Galeries 1, 2 & 3, 2nd floor
Public Policy Lunch Sponsored by Louisiana Land Bank & First South Farm Credit
“The Future at USDA: Reorganization, Technology, & Program Implementation”
- Jared Hagert, Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs, USDA-FSA-DC
- Craig McCain, State Executive Director, USDA-FSA-LA
- Sarah Trichel, State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS-LA
- Troy Romero, State Director, USDA-Rural Development-LA
COTTON CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 1 - 2 p.m.
Studios 3, 4 & 5, 2nd floor
Chair: Ben Guthrie
“National Cotton Council Update”
Tas Smith, National Cotton Council of America Vice President of Producer Affairs
Pecan CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 1 - 2 p.m.
Studio 7, 2nd floor
Chair: Benji Littlepage
“Pecan Industry Outlook – Market Conditions, Research, & Orchard Management”
Dr. Michael Polozola II, Assistant Professor & Extension Fruit & Nut Specialist, LSU AgCenter
Dr. Michael Polozola II, Assistant Professor & Extension Fruit & Nut Specialist, LSU AgCenter
POULTRY CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 1 - 3 p.m.
Salons D & E, 3rd floor
Chair: Paul Johns
“Broiler Buddy—A Commercial Broiler Financial Decision Tool & Livestock Cost Protection, Poultry Edition - An Input Cost Risk Management Tool”
Dennis Brothers, Associate Extension Professor, Auburn University
“Light Management for Broiler Productivity”
Brian Fairchild, Professor/Extension Poultry Scientist, University of Georgia
Dennis Brothers, Associate Extension Professor, Auburn University
Brian Fairchild, Professor/Extension Poultry Scientist, University of Georgia
CRAWFISH CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 1 - 3 p.m.
Studios 8, 9 & 10, 2nd floor
Chair: J.B. Hanks
“Crawfish Research & Facilities Update”
Dr. Kaelyn Fogelman, Assistant Professor of Aquaculture, LSU AgCenter
“Aquaculture Market Intel Review”
Danny Munch, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation
Dr. Kaelyn Fogelman, Assistant Professor of Aquaculture, LSU AgCenter
EQUINE CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 20 at 2 - 3 p.m.
Studios 3, 4 & 5, 2nd floor
Chair: Bettye Ann Browning
“Don’t Get Saddled with Liability: The Status of Equine Law in Louisiana”
Dan Dorsey, Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP
“Louisiana Equine Promotion & Research Board Economic Impact Report”
Dr. Neely Heidorn, Louisiana Equine Research & Promotion Board Member
Dan Dorsey, Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP