WIA Conference Agenda

7 – 8:15 a.m. -  Exhibitor Booth Setup

7 – 11 a.m. -  Registration

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. -  Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. -  Exhibitor Booths Open to Participants

8:30 – 10 a.m. - Breakout Session 1 - Dig In and Discover: Hands-on Sessions

Livestock and Forages Track:
Mastering Agricultural Sprayer Calibration
Speaker: Bruce Loyd, WVU Extension

This session will provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to accurately calibrate herbicide and other agricultural sprayers, ensuring efficient and effective product application while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

About the speaker:  

Bruce Loyd has been an agricultural Extension agent in Lewis County since 1992. Prior to that he worked for 4 years as a multi-county dairy Extension agent in southwestern Pennsylvania. His quest to find solutions to brush problems, such as autumn olive, led to numerous on-farm trials, development of fact sheets, and presentations on brush control in many areas of West Virginia. He continues to evaluate new products and advise clients on brush and weed control in pastures and hayfields. He also conducts statewide pesticide recertification programs for commercial applicators, has helped produce or edit the pesticide recertification video for private applicators since 2009, and has coordinated aerial herbicide application on pasture in the central West Virginia area since 2014. 

Horticulture Track:
Greenhouse Spring Prep: From Seeds to Plugs
Speaker: Courtney Buckler, New Leaf Greenhouse 

Get your hands in the soil and learn the essentials of spring greenhouse prep! In this hands-on class, we’ll cover how to start seeds for strong, healthy plants and how to pot up starter plugs to get a head start on the growing season. You’ll learn tips for watering, light, and care, plus how to choose the right varieties for your garden or operation. By the end, you’ll have the know-how (and a few plants!) to prepare you for your best gardening season yet.

About the speaker:

Courtney is the owner and operator of New Leaf Greenhouse and Market in Burlington, West Virginia, where she lives with her loyal bluetick beagle mix, Bennie.

In 2020, when a property in town had sat vacant and abandoned for more than a decade, Courtney saw more than overgrowth and decay — she saw the chance to create something new. With determination, vision, and plenty of hard work, she transformed the space into a thriving business that has now been serving the community for five years.

A graduate of West Virginia University, Courtney holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with dual minors in Agribusiness Management and Horticulture. She is passionate about agriculture and dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of supporting local farmers, growers, and producers — believing that strong communities are built on strong local agriculture.

Ag Mechanics Track:
Small Engine Repair for Everyone        
Speaker: Stacey Braithwaite, Mechanic for Amerifleet Solutions

Ever had a lawnmower that just won’t start, a weed trimmer that sputters out, or a snowblower that’s lost its power? This class will give you the skills and confidence to tackle those problems yourself! You’ll learn how small engines work, simple troubleshooting tricks to figure out what’s wrong, and how to safely use tools and parts for common repairs and routine maintenance. We’ll work together on real engines so you can practice what you learn. Feel free to bring in your own small engine for a little TLC.

About the speaker:

Stacey Braithwaite is an automotive enthusiast with a lifelong passion for Volkswagens, from vintage classics to modern marvels. A resident of Hampshire County, she balances her hands-on mechanical skills with a love of gardening and caring for her cats. As a proud mom of three adult children, Stacey blends practicality with creativity, whether restoring a vehicle, tending her plants, or crafting the perfect outdoor retreat. Her journey reflects a dedication to both precision and beauty — on the road, in the garden, and in life.

10 – 10:30 a.m. -  Morning Break |  Visit Exhibitor Booths

10:30 – 11:20 a.m. -  Breakout Session 2

Livestock and Forages Track:
Evaluating the Cost of Hay Production
Speaker: Katie Payne, WVU Extension

Whether you're baling it yourself, hiring custom operators, or buying hay outright, understanding the true cost of hay is critical to making smart, profitable decisions on your operation. This session will break down the financial considerations of three common forage strategies: producer-baled hay, custom-baled hay, and purchased hay. We’ll explore hidden costs, labor, and equipment factors, and how to compare options based on your farm’s resources and goals.

About the speaker: 

Katie Payne is a native of Century, West Virginia, where she was actively involved in Barbour County 4-H and FFA. Her early experiences working with beef cattle and participating in 4-H land judging helped shape her lifelong passion for agriculture. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Soil Science from West Virginia University in 2012. Payne continued her education with a Master of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences from the University of Georgia (2014), followed by a Ph.D. in Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences from the University of Kentucky (2019), focusing her research on forage agronomy. Before returning to West Virginia University in July 2025 as the Forage Agronomy Extension Specialist, Payne spent six years as the Applied Forage Systems Specialist at the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Education Center in Blackstone, Virginia. She enjoys working closely with extension agents and producers to help improve the production, profitability, and sustainability of their forage and livestock systems.

Horticulture Track:
Generations in Bloom: Building a Legacy through Flowers and Innovation
Speaker: Lynette Swiger, FernFaye Farm

Lynette Swiger and her daughters, Abby and Emily, will share how three generations collaborate on their family farm. They’ll discuss the evolution of their cut flower operation, including how they’ve expanded beyond production to offer on-farm experiences that enhance value-added opportunities and support diversification. The trio will also reflect on their journey—sharing early challenges, key changes, and lessons learned along the way. 

About the speaker:

Lynette Swiger is from FernFaye Farm in Marion County. She and her husband, Brad, have lived there and run a small farm operation since 1986. Five years ago, their two daughters, Abby and Emily, decided to begin a cut flower business on the farm. Working together as a family operation they have laughed, loved, worked, argued, compromised, and learned together to see their business expand and grow each year. One of the main things they have realized is that they can’t just grow flowers. Diversification and value added are vital components for a successful agribusiness.

Ag Mechanics Track:
Power in Your Hands: Considerations When Buying Equipment
Speaker: Sarah Rexroad, Nettles Equipment

Whether new or used, green or red, buying a piece of equipment is a big decision and an even bigger financial investment. This session will provide an overview of the different features and attachments you should consider based on your farm enterprise.  We'll cover how to assess your farm’s equipment needs, compare options, ask the right questions when dealing with sales reps, and navigate financing options.

About the speaker:

Sarah Rexroad is the general manager and third generation Massey Ferguson dealer at her family business, Nettles Equipment. She is married to her husband Jason and together they have two daughters Julianna and Samantha. Sarah is a fifth-generation farmer in Braxton County where she grows produce and has a herd of Limousin cattle and Suffolk X sheep.

11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. -  Breakout Session 3

Livestock and Forages Track:
From Pen to Profit: Livestock Marketing Essentials
Speaker: Sara Wayne, Wayne Cattle Company

This session will walk you through key strategies for marketing livestock through both traditional markets and niche markets. You'll gain insights on evaluating market trends, identifying the best outlets for your animals, and exploring innovative approaches to boost your bottom line. Whether you're new to marketing or looking to fine-tune your approach, this session offers practical tools to maximize your profits.

About the speaker:

Sara Wayne and her husband, John, established Wayne Cattle Company in 2008. Since November of 2009, agriculture has been their sole source of income. What began as a cow/calf herd, has grown and expanded to include pre-conditioning cattle, developing replacement heifers for southern U.S. markets, marketing hay to local feed stores, custom grazing, selling freezer beef and marketing their local beef. She is always on the lookout for new ways to diversify their agriculture ventures. Sara is a 4-H club leader, a member of her county Farm Bureau, and serves on the state Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. She lives on a farm in Braxton County, West Virginia, with her husband and three active young boys.

Horticulture Track:
Fine-tuning Your Pest Management Strategy
Speaker: Candace DeLong, WVU Extension 

This session will explore the essential role of scouting in developing and implementing effective pest management strategies, particularly within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework.

About the speaker:

Candace DeLong is an agriculture and natural resources agent in Hampshire County, West Virginia. She received her master’s degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech where she completed her research in pomology at the Alson H. Smith AREC in Winchester, Virginia. After graduating she worked in the apple industry before starting her job with WVU Extension. Candace works with all types of agriculture in Hampshire County, but especially likes working with school gardens and the local farmers market.

Ag Mechanics Track:
Scaling Up Our Small Farm: Making Decisions About Equipment, Infrastructure, and Labor
Speaker: Mary Oldham and Chico Ramirez, Mountain Harvest Farm

In this session, we'll share our story of scaling from a 1/4 acre garden to a 12+ acre diversified vegetable operation. We'll discuss hard decisions including how/why we chose to purchase certain equipment, invest in infrastructure, and manage labor. We'll share successes (the dos) and dirty laundry (the don'ts), as well as ongoing learning related to repairs, maintenance, and sustainability as we grow.

About the speaker:

Mary Oldham and Chico Ramirez own and operate Mountain Harvest Farm in Morgantown, West Virginia. They started their farm in 2012 on less than 1/4 acre of rented land from retired strawberry farmers Del and Linda Yoder. In 2023, Linda Yoder put the farm into a farmland conservation easement through the West Virginia Land Trust, and Mary and Chico purchased it in 2024. Together with a crew of 9 people, they grow over 30 vegetable crops on 12+ acres and raise broilers and laying hens to supply the Morgantown Farmers Market and a 200+ member CSA program.

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. -  Lunch