Rock the Farm, a conference designed for young individuals in the agricultural industry. This conference continues to be a great success, allowing young people to network and access information tailored to the young producer generation. But Rock the Farm isn’t just for farm kids; it is for anyone with a vested interest in agriculture, food production and the rural way of life. It is a truly engaging conference that offers diverse breakout session choices so all attendees can select the information most relevant to them.

Rock The Farm 2012

Saturday, February 4, 2012

$175 registration fee includes:
All meals (breakfast, lunch and networking banquet event with entertainment)

Registration to all Rock the Farm sessions
• Keynote session
• Diversity of dynamic breakout sessions of your choice

Topics:
1) Agricultural finance and planning
2) Precision agriculture technology
3) Succession Planning
4) Direct Marketing and the successful Eastern Canadian coop and terroir marketing systems
5) Successful diversification project management

Access to the hospitality networking suite and entertainment all evening.

One year membership to FABB (see our members page for benefits list)
• Access to attend the FABB AGM (after Rock the Farm - same day)
• Access to nominate and/or join the Board of Directors governing body

Mayfield Inn Hospitality Suite, Edmonton, Alberta

Rock the Farm 2012 Agenda
7:30 am – Breakfast and registration begin
8:50 am – Welcome
9:00 am – Keynote speaker
Lance Johnson of Drive Solutions Corp
Join Lance as he hosts a global agribusiness tour that will take us to Australia, Europe, the United States and across Canada.  Lance’s presentation will draw upon his work in business strategy and market intelligence to explore the unprecedented surge in agricultural entrepreneurship around the world.   You’ll learn how entrepreneurs are getting creative and finding opportunities via some very innovative businesses.  You’re guaranteed to leave this session with new ideas on how to start a new agribusinesses here in Alberta. Don’t fear if your malaria shots have expired as the only insect you’ll likely encounter on this virtual tour is the agripreneurial bug!
10:30 am – Breakout session
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 – Breakout session
2:30 Breakout session
4:00 – FABB AGM
6:00 – Banquet
Evening – Hospitality suite!

Breakout Session Speaker options:
Don’t worry! Each session will take place more than once to ensure you can get to each one you are interested in.

Scott Greenwald – MNP
Agricultural Business and Finances

• Importance of financial record keeping and planning. Balance sheets, net worth and income statements - what are these statements, what do they tell you (and the lender) and what are potential/existing lenders looking for from these statements.
• Different structures (proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, corporation) available to operate a business and what the pros and cons are of each.
• The workshop component will discuss the 3 main financial ratios that lenders are interested in and help participants to calculate these 3 ratios.

Malorie Aube – Country Accent
Direct Marketing Strategies and Options

The Eastern Canadian agricultural co-op distribution and purchasing systems.
• Terroir direct marketing systems
• How to effectively direct market in Western Canada

Country Accent:

• Bridges the gap between consumers and producers in a way that is streamlined for both
• Is an efficient online based pick-up and delivery system to brand and distribute local food products to consumers
• Encourages environmental and land stewardship
• Promotes a sense of community while supporting local economy

Colin Rice – FJ Rice and Sons Farms
Put the Success in Succession Planning

Not your typical succession planning session! This session will offer insight into the planning process from a young producer just like you who is currently in the process of developing and implementing a multi-generational succession plan for their grain and beef farm.

Colin Bergstrom – Point Forward Solutions Inc.
Advancements in Precision Agriculture
Point Forward Solutions Inc. was created to fill the need that innovative growers have for technology services, enhancing their ability to implement a specific agronomic plan on their farms, taking into account comprehensive soil test analysis, topography, variable rate planning, and plant nutrition application strategies.

Andre Poulin – Greenbelt Farms
Successful Diversification

Greenbelt Farms is a family-run, large scale, integrated operation producing beef, dairy, grain and most recently, made a significant investment into chicken production. As a manager, Andre will offer insight into how this family business has been so successful in their growth and diversification.