Session Topics and Speaker Bios

Livestock

Session 1: Carcass Breakdown

This session will explore the anatomy and fabrication of a pork carcass. Participants will follow along in real time the journey from whole carcass to wholesale and retail cuts. This hands on session will provide producers with practical insights into pork production, meat science, and consumer markets while highlighting best practices in carcass utilization.

Bio: Dr. Brett Kenney earned a bachelor of science degree in animal science from West Virginia University, a master of science degree in food science from Oklahoma State University and a doctorate in animal science/meat science from Kansas State University. In animal science, aquaculture and food science, he has expertise in several areas, such as, seafood science and technology, fish products, unsaturated fatty acids, meat science, etc. Dr. Kenney manages the Davis College Meat Lab.

Josh Peplowski is the Agriculture and Natural Extension Agent in Greenbrier County. One of his main responsibilities is assisting in the management and implementation of the Ham and Bacon program with Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas Counties. Seeing a need for education in home processing he has developed processing classes covering pork and beef that have been offered throughout the region.

Session 2: Check Before You Treat: Smarter Parasite Management in Small Ruminants

Learn how to use FAMACHA scoring and fecal egg counts to identify parasite problems and make informed treatment decisions. This hands-on session will help sheep and goat producers recognize parasite burdens, reduce unnecessary deworming, and improve herd and flock health.

Bio: Dr. Scott Bowdridge was raised on a small sheep farm in Southern California, where his family raised Rambouillet sheep. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Cal State Chico and taught high school agriculture before pursuing graduate studies focused on parasite resistance in sheep. He earned his doctorate from Virginia Tech studying immune responses of St. Croix sheep to Haemonchus contortus and later completed an NIH-funded postdoctoral position studying intestinal parasite infections. Dr. Bowdridge joined West Virginia University in 2011, where his research focuses on improving small ruminant health and production, particularly resistance to gastrointestinal parasites. His work with St. Croix and Texel sheep explores immune response, parasite resistance, genetics, crossbreeding, and management practices that can reduce parasite impacts in grazing livestock. He lives in Morgantown with his wife, Lizzie, and daughter, Charlotte.

Session 3: From Sample to Strategy: Making Forage Tests Work on Your Farm

Accurate forage testing starts long before the sample reaches the lab. This session will cover practical sampling techniques, common sources of error, and how to confidently interpret forage analysis reports. Participants will learn how to use test results to match forage quality with livestock needs, improve feeding efficiency, and reduce input costs. Walk away with tools you can use immediately to make better, data-driven management decisions on your farm.

Bio: Dr. Katie Payne grew up in Century, West Virginia, where her active involvement in Barbour County 4-H and FFA sparked her passion for agriculture. She holds a B.S. in Soil Science from West Virginia University, an M.S. in Crop and Soil Sciences from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences from the University of Kentucky, where her research focused on forage agronomy. Dr. Payne returned to WVU in July 2025 as Forage Agronomy Extension Specialist after six years as the Applied Forage Systems Specialist at Virginia Tech's Southern Piedmont AREC. She works with extension agents and producers across West Virginia to improve the production, profitability, and sustainability of their forage and livestock systems.

Horticulture

Session 1: Integrated Pest Management for Indoor Growers: From Informed Decisions to Propagation Reset

This hands-on session will cover reasons why indoor plants – both household and agriculture – may fail at home. Participants will walk through diagnosis strategies using live samples to discuss cultural, mechanical, beneficial/biological controls rather than chemical inputs. Lastly, participants will practice using propagation as the ultimate plant-saving tool when thresholds are breached and other controls are exhausted.

Bio: Whitney Dudding is a native of Mason, WV, where her horticultural career began at Bob's Market & Greenhouses, Inc. She earned her bachelor's degree in Horticulture from West Virginia University in 2016. In her current role as Greenhouse Manager, she oversees greenhouse and controlled environment facilities supporting research, teaching, and outreach, with particular interests in plant propagation and IPM.

Outside of work, Whitney is an avid collector and propagator on indoor, exotic, and unusual plants. Her personal collection of roughly 50 plants (she has lost count) ensures that her fascination with growing is well cultivated beyond Evansdale Greenhouse.

Session 2: Your Soil Has a Story: How Soil Sampling Leads to Better Soil Fertility Management Decisions

Every soil fertility recommendation begins with a soil sample, and the quality of that recommendation depends on the quality of the sample collected. In this workshop, participants will learn why representative soil sampling is the foundation of reliable soil testing and how sampling decisions influence the information used to manage crops. We will discuss when, where, how, and for what purpose soils should be sampled, as well as the common mistakes that can lead to misleading soil test results and recommendations. Participants will also gain an understanding of what happens after a sample reaches the soil testing laboratory, how soil test results are transformed into science-based fertility recommendations, and how representative soil sampling leads to better soil fertility management decisions. By the end of the workshop, participants will recognize that collecting a soil sample is not simply collecting soil, it is collecting the information needed to make informed, economical, and sustainable management decisions.

Bio: Dr. Eugenia M. Peña-Yewtukhiw is an Associate Professor of Soil Physics and Management and Director of the WVU Soil Testing Laboratory in the School of Agriculture and Food Systems at West Virginia University. She earned her B.S. in Agricultural Engineering and M.S. in Soil Chemistry from the Central University of Venezuela and her Ph.D. in Soil Physics and Hydrology from the University of Kentucky. Since joining WVU, she has developed teaching, research, and outreach programs focused on soil health, nutrient management, soil hydrology and physics, and sustainable soil management. As Director of the WVU Soil Testing Laboratory, she has worked closely with WVU Extension to modernize and expand soil testing services for West Virginia producers, landowners, and conservation districts while promoting science-based soil fertility management.

Session 3: Food Safety Planning: Building a Practical System for Your Operation

For horticulture producers, food safety is essential for protecting customers and your business. In this interactive 90-minute session, participants will learn the key components of an effective food safety plan, including identifying food safety hazards, implementing preventive controls, developing monitoring procedures, and preparing for inspections. Whether you are developing a plan for the first time or updating an existing program, this workshop will provide actionable strategies to strengthen food safety practices and support compliance.

Bio: Dr. Singh-Knights is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist with WVU, a role she's held since 2010. She is a trained agricultural economist specializing in agricultural economics and management. Her areas of expertise include everything from managing personnel, maintaining financial health amid changing economic outlook, and navigating rules and laws that impact businesses. She uses this knowledge in her work with producers across the state through food safety education and implementation, farm financial evaluation and viability, and promotion of a robust agritourism industry in West Virginia.

Behind the Scenes Farmwork

Session 1: DIY Farm Marketing: Create Your Own Promotional Materials

This 90-minute hands-on workshop will help farmers create professional, effective marketing materials that promote their farm, products, and services. Participants will learn the basics of farm branding, messaging, and design while developing materials such as flyers, brochures, social media graphics, business cards, and event promotions.

Through practical demonstrations and guided activities, attendees will explore free and low-cost tools to create eye-catching marketing pieces that tell their farm's story and connect with customers. Whether selling at farmers markets, promoting agritourism events, marketing value-added products, or building an online presence, participants will leave with strategies and resources they can use immediately.

Bio: Brandy Brabham has worked with West Virginia University for over 20 years, with most of that tenure being the Roane County Extension Agent in Agriculture and Natural Resources. Brabham has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and natural resources and a master’s in organizational and corporate communications. Her educational emphasizes is on sustainability and profitably for existing, underserved, and beginning farmers.  She has conducted training on risk management, leadership, and advocacy; season extension methods for crops, food safety, agribusiness development, agritourism, and marketing. 

She and her husband Terry and their two sons currently live on a family farm where they currently raise beef cattle and backyard chickens near Spencer, WV.

Session 2: Excel 101: Tips and Tricks for a Farm Budget!

Excel can be a powerful tool for record keeping, managing farm buckets, and looking at the numbers of your business. This session will explore some of the basic functions of Excel through a hands-on demonstration and provide tips and tricks to make your budget sheet work well for you.

Bio: Kate Fotos is the GRASS Program coordinator under the Small Farm Center under West Virginia University Extension. Kate has used Excel continuously throughout her school and professional career. She is enthusiastic about constructing well-functioning, easy-to-use, and easy-to-read spreadsheets.

Session 3: It’s Ok to Not Be Ok

There is always too much to do and never enough time. Farm life can be challenging and can increase the risk for depression, anxiety, exhaustion, and suicide. Farmers are willing to help out when someone is struggling but may not understand how to best help, or even to be able to recognize symptoms in themselves.

Bio: Jodi has served Mercer County for over 20 years as a WVU Extension Agent with a primary focus of increasing the profitability and sustainability of small farming operations by providing educational programing in production, agricultural business management and food safety. She has played an integral role in developing statewide awareness of mental health for rural populations.

Saturday's Lunch & Speaker

AI Crash Course for Small Scale Growers

This talk introduces small-scale growers to practical ways artificial intelligence (AI) can support — not replace — our farmers. Olivia Torbert-Jennings will dive into real-world applications for whole-farm planning, plant and insect identification, estimating cost of production, and more. The session will demonstrate how simple, accessible AI-based tools can save time and provide insights while stressing the limitations of the technology and the ethical qualms with using AI.

Bio: Joining virtually from South Dakota, Olivia Torbert-Jennings is the vegetable manager at Good Roots Farm and Gardens where she grows veggies for weekly on-farm pizza nights and for community members. She is also an educator with South Dakota Specialty Producers Association where she hosts webinars, workshops, and field days concentrating on small scale farms, specialty crop production, and sustainable agriculture. Surprisingly, she is an AI skeptic who loves discussing how to use technology carefully and intentionally.

Olivia Torbert-Jennings

Vegetable Manager and Educator

South Dakota Specialty Producers Association

(605) 521-0311

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