About the Forum

Guidestone is organizing this forum on Land Link to explore the initiative as an important tool to preserve Colorado’s vital agricultural resources by linking next generation producers with retiring farmers, ranchers and landowners and providing educational resources and training opportunities.

This event is designed to: 

• Provide informative speakers and workshops regarding various aspsects of Land Link
• Introduce Guidestone’s Land Link program, database and developing resources
• Discuss potential partners and collaboration possibilities
• Strategize for a statewide Land Link program
• Access expertise and experience of other farm and land link programs nation-wide
• Explore training and educational opportunities

Who should attend?

• Agricultural service providers 
• Conservation specialists
• Educators in farm transition 
• Government officials
• Nonprofit leaders
• Local food organizers

 

Schedule of Events

Friday, March 8th

1:00-5:00pm:  Registration and Exhibit Hall Opens- 
Join us to network with other statewide agricultural service providers and learn about local food initiatives and producers in our region.

1:00-4:00pm: Conservation Easement Workshop-
Hosted by Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas (LTUA) and presented by Andrew Mackie, Executive Director and invited guest speakers. In this workshop we will discuss how conservation easements work and the legal requirements for entering into such an agreement. We will also discuss the benefits available to landowners from the Colorado State Tax Credit to the Federal Deduction. In addition, we will go over the steps of setting up a conservation easement and the required due diligence procedures. The workshop is recommended for any landowner that is interested in learning more about protecting their land and any other individual that wants to know more about this major conservation tool. For additional information call the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas at 719-539-7700. 

6:00-9:00pm: A Celebration of Colorado Agriculture- 
Join us for a Colorado local foods dinner with a Keynote Address by John Salazar, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture.  A Sixth-generation farmer and rancher, Salazar served three terms represnting Colorado's 3rd Congressional District and was a member of the House Agriculture Committee.  Before his time in Congress, Salazar served in the Colorado General Assembly for two years.  The evening will also include local entertainment and a silent auction to benefit Guidestone. 

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Saturday, March 9th

8:00-9:00am:  Breakfast, Registration, & Exhibit Hall

9:00-10:00am:  A National Perspective on Land Link Programs
Guest Speaker, John Baker, Attorney at Law and Chair of the International Farm Transition Network, will share his experience and expertise in assisting with the development of other landlink programs in the U.S. He will address strategies for a successful Colorado initiative and the lessons learned through other landlink efforts.

10:00-11:00am:  Colorado Land Link- A Pathway for Farm Transition
Representatives from Guidestone, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, and Colorado State University Extension will discuss current efforts in their partnership to develop a statewide Land Link initiative and provide a framework for the afternoon strategic planning sessions.

11:00am-12:00pm: Community Land Trust -Panel Discussion
 Hosted by the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas (LTUA), this panel will include representatives from community-based Land Trust organizations from throughout the state to discuss the vital role that these organizations can play in preserving agricultural resources and promoting land link efforts.
 
12:00pm-1:30pm: Lunch & Exhibit Hall and Break

1:30-4:00pm:  Colorado Land Link Strategic Planning- Interactive Summit 
Participants will engage in a facilitated discussion that will examine the goals and desired outcomes of a statewide land link intiative, take inventory of current programs, initiatives, and resources, and identify the resources needed  and collaboration opportunities for an effective statewide or regional program. 

4:00-5:00pm:  Outcomes of Strategic Planning Sessions & Closing Remarks

Lodging and Meals

Meals:
Forum Registration includes dinner on Friday night, breakfast on Saturday, and lunch on Saturday.  If you have dietary restrictions, please make note in your registration form.

Lodging:
Participants are encouraged to stay on site at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort.  Guidestone has a number of rooms being held with a group rate ($99 for hotel room, $50 pp for shared cabin) for forum attendees.  Please contact the resort directly to book your room and let them know this is for the Guidestone event.

Exhibitor and Sponsorship Information

If you or your organization is interested in being an exhibitor during the Forum, or a Sponsor of the event, we enthusiastically encourage your participation and support!  The Exhibit Hall will remain open throughout the Forum, and Sponsor logos will be added to our webpage, event homepage and additional marketing and PR.  

Exhibitor and Sponsorship fee levels are provided below, and you can identify your level of support on the registration page when registering.  Thank You!

Exhibitor (includes one registration) - $150 ($175 after Monday, 3/4)

"Cultivator" Sponsor (includes one registration) - $250

"Harvester" Sponsor (includes three registrations) - $500

"Sustainer" Sponsor (includes 5 registrations) - $1,000

 

Friday Entertainment

Scott Adams will be playing Hawaiian Slack-Key guitar during Friday's Happy Hour.

Register Now! 

About Guidestone

Guidestone is a non-proft, 501(C)3 organization dedicated to strengthening the local food economy through the preservation of agricultural resources and education.