Convention

Registration Open Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Pre-Convention Tour "Legends and Libations" 1:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hospitality Room Opens 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
NOYF Class of 2025 Welcome Dinner: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

NOYF Class of 2025 Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Registration Open: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
NOYF Class of 2025 Interviews & Lunch: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Iowa State Fair Kickoff Party: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Hospitality Room Open: 8:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Registration Open: 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
"An Agri-Innovation Adventure in Ames" and "From Kitchen to Crops: Exploring Agricultural Roots" Tours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Murder Mystery Dinner Party: 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Hospitality Room Open: 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Registration Open: 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast & Opening General Session feat. Jolene Brown: 7:00 – 9:45 a.m.

OFA Business Meeting: 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Regional Meetings: 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

NOYF Reception & Banquet: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Hospitality Auction: 9:00 – 12:00 a.m.

Guest Depart

Wednesday, February 4, 2026	Time	Location
Convention Pre-Tour: All Things Hershey! (ticketed event)	1:30 - 5:00 p.m.	Hotel Main Entrance
Registration Open	5:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Garden Terrace Foyer
NOYF Class of 2026 Welcome Dinner	6:30 - 9:00 p.m.	Garden Terrace West
Hospitality Room Open	7:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Castilian Room

Thursday, February 5, 2026	Time	Location
Registration Open	7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.	Garden Terrace Foyer
Breakfast	7:00 - 8:30 a.m.	Fountain Room
Opening General Session Welcome, Chris Martin, President OFA Welcome, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Reading The Power of Resilience with Eric Hipple, former Detroit Lions Quarterback Eric Hipple is former Detroit Lions quarterback and passionate about mental health. His journey through personal challenges after a successful sports career shaped a deep understanding of resilience and the importance of mental well-being, especially for those facing unique pressures of farming life. Eric will share insights into the role a positive mindset plays in overcoming obstacles. His heartfelt message aims to uplift, inspire farmers who may be struggling with depression or stress, reminding them that it’s possible to turn challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth.	8:30 - 10:30 a.m.	Garden Terrace Ballroom
Breakout Session Series One
Understanding Grain Marketing with Roger Wright Join veteran grain marketing consultant Roger Wright for a practical, no-nonsense look at how grain markets truly work—and why most farmers have never been taught the strategies that protect their operation’s bottom line. Drawing on five decades of experience Roger brings a farmer-first perspective shaped by real-world challenges. If you’ve ever felt unsure about basis, hedging, merchandisers’ incentives, or how to build a marketing plan that works in the real world, this session will equip you with the clarity, confidence, and tools to market your grain more profitably.	10:45 - 11:45 a.m.	Tea House Room
USDA-Approved Electronic Acreage Reporting with Catherine Clower & Michelle Tressel Attend this session and learn how growers can leverage technology to streamline regulatory reporting. MyAgData, the only third-party platform credentialed to submit reports directly to the USDA clearinghouse, offers a timely answer to known FSA resource constraints. Just as farmers rely on accountants, MyAgData’s Digital Acreage Reporting handles the FSA paperwork—freeing producers to focus on fieldwork. Learn how early adopters are saving time and thousands in annual crop insurance premiums simply by reporting the way they farm.	10:45 - 11:45 a.m.	Garden East
The Rise of the Modern Rural Woman with Shelby Watson-Hampton Join Shelby Watson-Hampton for an inspiring session that celebrates the evolving role of women in agriculture. Through heartfelt stories and practical guidance, Shelby highlights how modern rural women are redefining what it means to live, lead, and thrive in agriculture—as caretakers, entrepreneurs, and advocates for their families and communities. Built around the themes of resilience, diversification, and leadership beyond the fenceline, this session will encourage you to embrace your strength, explore opportunities and elevate your voice in shaping the future of rural America.	10:45 - 11:45 a.m	Garden West
Networking Lunch	Noon - 1:30 p.m.	Fountain Lobby
NOYF Class of 2026 Lunch	11:30am - 1:00 p.m.	Milton Hershey Suite
Breakout Sessions Repeat	1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
NOYF Class of 2026 Interviews	1:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Castilian Room
Opening Welcome Party	7:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Garden Terrace Ballroom
Hospitality Room Open	9:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Castilian Room

Friday, February 6, 2026	Time	Location
Registration Desk Open	6:00 - 8:00 a.m.	Garden Terrace Foyer
Breakfast	6:00 - 7:30 a.m.	Fountain Lobby
Load Tour Buses	7:00 a.m.	Hotel Main Entrance
Off-Site Tours	7:00am - 4:00 p.m.	See Registration Page
Dinner on Your Own
Troeg's Brewery (ticketed event)	7:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Troeg's Brewery

Saturday, February 7, 2026	Time	Location
Registration Desk Open	7:00am - Noon	Garden Terrace Foyer
Breakfast	7:00 - 8:30 a.m.	Fountain Lobby
Closing General Session, Advocating for Agriculture Online featuring Farming Social Media Expert, Greg Peterson An entertaining, inspirational, educational, and motivational program for people of all ages and all backgrounds. The program includes how we got started making videos, where all they’ve taken us, the power of communicating through social media, and the lessons we've learned about advocating for agriculture online. Music videos will be shared throughout the presentation highlighting the power of social media on farming.	8:30 - 10:00 a.m.	Garden Terrace Ballroom
Break	10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Regional Committee Meetings	10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
OFA Member Forum Lunch	11:45 - 1:00 p.m.	Garden Terrace Ballroom
Explore Hershey on your own!	1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
NOYF Reception	6:00 - 7:00 p.m.	Garden Terrace Foyer
NOYF Awards Banquet	7:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Garden Terrace Ballroom
Hospitality Auction & Fundraiser	9:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Castilian Room

Sunday, February 8, 2026
Guests Depart	All Day