2026 Conference Schedule

Schedule is subject to change.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
NACTA Executive Committee Meeting
 
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Registration Open
 
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Exhibitor Set Up
 
Poster Set Up
 
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Workshop: Bridging the Gap: Connecting Ag Classrooms to Food and Agriculture Career Readiness in the Age of AI
Donald Mulvaney - Auburn University
William Nelson - William J. Nelson, LLC
Allen Wysocki - University of Florida
Mark Gagnon - Pennsylvania State University
Cheryl Wachenheim - NDSU
Workshop: Co-Designing Change: Students-as-Partners for Curricular Innovation
Jackie Wahrmund - University of Kentucky
Wyatt Driskell - University of Kentucky
Kristine Urschel - University of Kentucky
Workshop: Cultivating Access and Excellence: Practical Universal Design Strategies for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
Dale Layfield - Clemson University
Torrie Cropps - The University of Texas at Dallas
Mia C. Sullivan - The Pennsylvania State University
Bohdana Vyshnivska - Clemson University
Workshop: Prompting Place: Using Generative AI to Visualize Agricultural, Ecological, and Terrain-Based Systems
Taze Fulford - Mississippi State University
Simon Powney - Mississippi State University
Tim Schauwecker - Mississippi State University
Workshop: Rules, Roles, and Real Impact: Navigating Governance for Stronger Professional Communities
Daniel Foster - Penn State
Workshop: The Global Classroom: Bringing Agriculture Learning to Unfamiliar Places (Monday)
Lacey Roberts-Hill - Texas Tech University
Jeneen Fields - Purdue University
Carson Nesbella - Sandhills Community College
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
NACTA Member Orientation
Daniel Foster - Penn State
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
NACTA Bylaws Hearing
Daniel Foster - Penn State
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Break
 
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Blue Ribbon Presentation
Michel Wattiaux - University of Wisconsin - Madison
6:15 PM - 6:45 PM
Reception for First-Time Attendees & Graduate Students
 
6:45 PM - 7:45 PM
Opening Reception
Lynn Spruill - City of Starkville
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Registration Open
 
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Welcome
 
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Keynote: Lessons Learned and the Future of Agriculture
Mark Keenum - Mississippi State University
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Break
 
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Town Hall
 
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Coffee Break
 
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Oral Presentations
 
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Break
 
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Business Meeting & Lunch
 
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Break
 
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Workshop: Designing Borderless Learning: Virtual Exchange in Agricultural and Life Sciences
Georgette Kluiters - University of Florida
Allyson Fleischer - University of Florida
Workshop: Designing Meaningful Learning Experiences with AI
Morgan Vincent - Penn State Univeristy
Workshop: From Listeners to Communicators: Integrating Podcasts into the Classroom
Sidney Schnor - Iowa State University
Kaley Mumma - Purdue University
Fallys Masambuka-kanchewa - Iowa State University
Workshop: Integrating Safety into College Ag Class: Train-the-Trainer Workshop
Carolyn Sheridan - Ag Health & Safety Alliance
OP McCubbins - Mississippi State University
Jesse Morrison - Mississippi State University
Skyler Rinker - Iowa State University
Workshop: Leading Within Every Classroom: Integrating Leadership Principles Into Any Course to Elevate Learning, Engagement, and Career Readiness
Donald Mulvaney - Auburn University
Ken Smith - Academy Leadership
Chandler Mulvaney - Certified Angus Beef
Workshop: Writing Competitive USDA–NIFA Grants for Teaching, Learning, Workforce Development and National Needs
Donald Mulvaney - Auburn University
Cheryl Wachenheim - NDSU
Ray Ali - USDA-NIFA
Erica Krause - USDA-NIFA
Michelle Schelske-Santos - USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Institute of Youth, Family and Community
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Coffee Break
 
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Oral Presentations
 
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Break
 
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Poster Reception 1 - Even Numbered Posters Present
 
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Grad Student Mixer
 
6:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Dinner On Your Own
 

Wednesday, June 24th is College Logo Day - please show off your university pride this day!

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Registration Open
 
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Meetings by Region (Open to All)
 
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Break
 
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Coffee and Committee Meetings 1
 
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
 
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Coffee and Committee Meetings 2
 
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
 
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Oral Presentations
 
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Break
 
12:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Awards Luncheon
 
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Break
 
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Workshop: Bridging the Gap: Connecting Ag Classrooms to Renewable Natural Resources and the Environment Career Readiness in the Age of AI
Donald Mulvaney - Auburn University
Mark Russell - Purdue University
William Nelson - William J. Nelson, LLC
Allen Wysocki - University of Florida
Mark Gagnon - Pennsylvania State University
Cheryl Wachenheim - NDSU
Workshop: Exploring Q Methodology in Research and the Classroom: A Hands-On Workshop for Educators
Jessica Spence - Virginia Tech
Madisen Plunkert - Virginia Tech
Newlin Humphrey - University of Alabama
Workshop: From Classroom to Career: Leveraging Micro-Credentials to Build Workforce Readiness
Sidney Schnor - Iowa State University
Reagan Suubi - Iowa State University
Aneesha Kakara - Iowa State University
Michael Retallick - Iowa State University
Anne Spafford - Mississippi State University
Workshop: Reflect to Grow: Innovating and Integrating Reflective Learning into Undergraduate Agriculture Classrooms
Rachel Biderman - University of Florida
Laura Greenhaw - University of Florida
OP McCubbins - Mississippi State University
Shardae Day - University of Florida
Jessica Benson - Mississippi State University
Ashley Johnson - University of Florida
Workshop: Student-Faculty Teaching Teams: Pedagogical Partnerships
Kendra Jernigan - Abilene Christian University
Scott Hamm - Abilene Christian University
Workshop: The Global Classroom: Bringing Agriculture Learning to Unfamiliar Places (Wednesday)
Lacey Roberts-Hill - Texas Tech University
Jeneen Fields - Purdue University
Carson Nesbella - Sandhills Community College
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Coffee Break
 
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Oral Presentations
 
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Break
 
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Poster Reception 2 - Odd-Numbered Posters Present
 
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Poster Tear Down
 
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Host Dinner
 
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Gather for Buses
 
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Registration Open
 
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tours and Lunch
 
1:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Exhibitor Tear Down
 
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
NACTA Executive Committee Meeting