Welcome to the 2025 Cultivate + Craft Value-Added Agriculture Summit!
Join us for an inspiring day dedicated to the innovation and growth of the value-added agriculture sector in Maryland! The Cultivate + Craft Summit is not just a conference—it’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate with passionate farmers, adventurous entrepreneurs, and creative makers dedicated to transforming raw agricultural products into exceptional goods that capture the heart of our local communities.
Our agenda will feature a range of engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and one of our most anticipated events—the Rapid Fire Panel, a fast-paced showcase highlighting the diversity and innovation within this vibrant sector.
Stay tuned as we roll out exciting announcements on speakers and session topics! From industry leaders to hands-on innovators, this summit is designed to give you insights, inspiration, and connections to help elevate your business in this ever-evolving industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Maryland’s agricultural community, forging connections that foster growth, sustainability, and innovation. Set against the backdrop of Maryland’s rich agricultural heritage, the Cultivate + Craft Summit promises to ignite your passion for value-added agriculture while providing the tools you need to thrive.
Be part of this exciting movement—secure your spot today and cultivate your future in value-added agriculture!
Who Attends Our Conference
Are you a value-added agriculture producer, small food business, state or county agency representative, elected official, food and agriculture organization, media, blogger, or food policy organization?
The Cultivate + Craft VAA Summit draws farmers, value-added producers, educators, advocates, researchers, market managers, homesteaders, gardeners, and change-makers who are passionate about growing, producing, selling and buying more local products.
Agenda
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration & Networking | Atrium |
| 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Welcome Remarks | Great Hall |
| 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM | Plenary Session | |
| Great Hall | Adapting to Thrive – Building Resilience in Value-Added Agriculture Explore how the value-added agriculture (VAA) sector is adapting to challenges like climate change, shifting consumer preferences, and economic pressures. Real-world examples will inspire attendees to embrace innovation and drive growth in their communities. | Emma Jagoz Owner/Farmer Moon Valley Farm Drew Baker Partner Old Westminster Winery & Burnt Hill Farm Chris Miller Partner Lone Oak Brewery |
| 9:15 – 10:15am | Plenary Session | |
| Great Hall | Enhancing Quality of Life Through Agricultural Innovation: Insights from Ohio’s Ag Innovation Center Dr. Inwood will share insights into the Northeast Ohio Agriculture Innovation Center (NEO-AIC), a pioneering initiative designed to support value-added agriculture by helping farmers transform raw products into market-ready goods, while enhancing the quality of life for farmers, producers, and their communities. | Dr. Shoshanah Inwood Associate Professor of Community, Food, and Economic Development The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences |
| 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM | Coffee Break & Vendor Visits | Great Hall |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Morning Breakout Sessions | |
| Great Hall | Ag as Medicine Explore how value-added agriculture is reshaping wellness through products like adaptogens, CBD, ancient grains, and nutrient-dense foods. | Dr. Bill Schindler Founder/Owner Modern Stone Age Kitchen Executive Director Eastern Shore Food Lab Christina Schindler CEO & Owner Modern Stone Age Kitchen President Eastern Shore Food Lab Rick Glass Outreach Coordinator Fingerboard Farm Elizabeth Robinson COO The Garden International The Gift LLC One Band |
| Ellsworth Room | Aggregation Models – Building Bridges in the Local Food System This session dives into three unique aggregation models addressing the challenges and opportunities of connecting farmers to consumers and communities. | Shane Carpenter HEX Ferments Emma Jagoz Owner/Farmer Moon Valley Farm James Zoller Administrator Howard Co. of of Agriculture and Manager of The Roving Radish Julia Raymond Mid-Atlantic Director Cureate |
| Spring Room | The Power of Marketing – Trends, Innovations, and Outcomes Learn how to stand out in a competitive marketplace and connect with your audience through innovative marketing strategies. | Jon Zerivitz Sr. Marketing Strategist, Cultivate + Craft Co-Founder, UNION Craft Brewing Kristin Hanna Dir. of Special Projects Maryland’s Best Josh Geiger Sr. Marketing Strategist Mission Agency |
| 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Plenary Session | |
| Great Hall | Navigating Fiscal Challenges and Policy Shifts in Value-Added Agriculture Led by Maryland’s Secretary of Agriculture, this session will explore strategies for sustaining local agricultural initiatives amid fiscal and policy challenges. | Secretary Kevin Atticks, Maryland Department of Agriculture |
| 12:45 – 1:45pm | Networking Lunch | Great Hall |
| 1:45 – 2:45pm | Afternoon Breakout | |
| Spring Room | Farm Stays: Bridging Agriculture and Hospitality This session explores farm stays as a growing facet of value-added agriculture, offering unique ways to connect consumers to the land and diversify farm income. We’ll dive into the challenges farmers face, from navigating county approvals to meeting consumer expectations, and highlight the significant opportunities farm stays present for strengthening rural economies and fostering deeper connections between producers and the public. | Dana Zucker Owner Sugar Water Manor Queen Been Enterprises Julie Stinar Evensong Farm Urban Ade Dr. Vaughn Wallace Owner and CEO Hennessy Creek Brewery-Venue-Bed and Breakfast Dr. Tracey Wallace Co-Owner and COO Hennessy Creek Brewery-Venue-Bed and Breakfast |
| Ellsworth Room | Grains in the Spotlight – From Field to Innovation Grains are having their moment in value-added agriculture! This session will explore the entire journey of grains—from growing and malting to their transformation into innovative end products. Discover the crucial role grains play in crafting diverse and sustainable offerings that are reshaping the VAA landscape. | Brad Humbert Owner/Maltster Bear Branch Malt Madelyn Smith Executive Director Common Grain Alliance Steve Ernst Owner Ernst Grain + Livestock Ian Hertzmark Migrash Farm |
| Great Hall | Chef’s Wish List – Sourcing Local, Dreaming Big Join a panel of talented chefs as they share their passion for using locally sourced ingredients in their kitchens. Discover what foods they currently love working with, and hear about the products (and quantities) they wish they could access locally. This session highlights the opportunities for farmers and producers to collaborate with chefs and meet the growing demand for local, sustainable ingredients. | Zack Mills Chef & Partner True Chesapeake Oyster Co. Jesse Sandlin Chef/Owner Sally O’s Chris Amendola Chef/Owner foraged Soung Wiser Partner/Operator The Little Grand and Brand Advisor/Creative Director And Wiser Tim Kain Jr. VP of Sales Keany Produce & Gourmet |
| 2:45 – 3:45pm | Afternoon Plenary | |
| Great Hall | Rapid Fire Panel – Inspiring Innovation in Value-Added Agriculture We close the day with an exciting, fast-paced Rapid Fire Panel showcasing extraordinary producers who are redefining value-added agriculture. Each speaker will share their innovative projects, insights, and success stories, offering a burst of inspiration and fresh ideas to take home. | Rachel Lipman 5th Generation Winemaker Loew Vineyards Patrick Hudson True Chesapeake Oyster Farm Shari E. Bryant, M.Acc., CPA Owner & Founder FoxFire Farm MD, LLC Martin Proulx Value-Added Agriculture Specialist MD Dept. of Agriculture Cory Moore CEO The Garden International The Gift LLC One Band Dr. Nadine Burton CEO Tallawah Farms Aaron Joseph, CAnE Collective Rick Glass Outreach Coordinator Fingerboard Farm Laura Kefauver Founder & Owner Treasured Roots Farm |
| 3:45 – 5:00 | Crafted Connections: A Toast to Innovation and Collaboration | |
| Atrium | Join us as we wrap up the Cultivate + Craft Summit with Crafted Connection, an exclusive happy hour celebrating Maryland’s finest craft alcohol producers. This is your chance to unwind, sip on expertly crafted libations, and forge new connections with fellow innovators and enthusiasts. Featuring a curated selection of local beers, wines, spirits, and more, Crafted Connections is the perfect way to toast to a day of inspiration, learning, and collaboration. Let’s raise a glass to Maryland’s thriving craft scene and the exciting possibilities ahead! Cheers to connection, community, and craft! |
The 2025 C+C Value-Added Ag Summit is sponsored by:
| PREMIER | PLATINUM | GOLD |
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| SILVER | BRONZE | TICKET SPONSOR |
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