The TWG Connect Conference and Annual Meeting was April 11–12, 2023, in Atlanta, Ga., and was an opportunity for members to hear from TWG on the strategic path forward for the organization, as well as engage on topics related to building a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce for agriculture and food.
TWG partnered with MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) for the 2023 Connect Conference and Annual Meeting. TWG’s meeting took place ahead of the 2023 MANRRS National Conference and Diversity Summit, which was focused on meaningfully convening industry, NGOs, higher-education, and students regarding the future of agriculture and food.
Tuesday, April 11
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Time (EDT)
Session/event
Speaker(s)
1:30 p.m.
Check-in table open
Visit the conference check-in table to get your nametag, registration packet, and information about the conference.
2:30 p.m.
Connect to Purpose: Welcome
We are so excited to be in Atlanta with you! Join us to kick off our first in-person annual meeting since pre-COVID with introductions and excitement about the conference and future of Together We Grow.
- Lauren Baer, Together We Grow
- Melissa Werneck, Kraft Heinz
3 p.m.
Connect to Partnership: Furthering DEI and Workforce Development through Partnerships
This panel will discuss the power of leveraging partnerships that have furthered workforce and DEI priorities. This session will be followed by Q&A.
- Moderator: Karl Binns, Cargill
- Janelle Duray, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG)
- Dr. Antonio McLaren, 1890 Universities Foundation
- Jeannette Robles, ADM
- Jennifer Wright, Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council
4 p.m.
Break
4:15 p.m.
Connect to STEM: The State of STEM – A Framework to Support Organizational Decision Making
This session will cover STEMconnector’s recent research about the state of STEM. This session will be followed by Q&A.
- Jessica Johnson, STEMconnector
- Ted Wells, STEMconnector
4:45 p.m.
Connect to the Road Ahead: Building a Vision for TWG
Engage with TWG’s strategic planning process in this interactive session with the TWG Strategic Planning Committee to gain your perspectives and insight.
- Lauren Baer, Together We Grow
- Polly Ruhland, United Soybean Board
- Dr. Ben West, University of Tennessee
- TWG Strategic Planning Committee
5:45 p.m.
CONNECT! Reception and Networking
Take time to enjoy yourself and connect with colleagues at the TWG CONNECT! cocktail and networking reception followed by the conference dinner.
6:45 p.m.
Conference dinner
Wednesday, April 12
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Time (EDT)
Session/event
Speaker(s)
7:30 a.m.
Continental breakfast and networking / check-in table open
Enjoy breakfast and networking before we start the day. If you are just joining, visit the conference check-in table to get your registration packet, nametag, and information about the conference.
8 a.m.
Connect to the Present: Welcome
You will not want to be late for day two! We are kicking of the day with an energizing keynote speaker after a brief welcome.
- Lauren Baer, Together We Grow
8:15 a.m.
Connect to Inspiration and Innovation: Keynote Speaker
As part of our commitment to engaging with innovative ideas towards change and progress, we welcome Stephen Ritz of the Green Bronx Machine for a keynote followed by Q&A.
- Stephen Ritz, Green Bronx Machine
9:15 a.m.
Connect to Progress: Where Are We Going and How Do We Get There? Workforce Development and DEI Perspectives
This fireside chat will discuss the current state of the agriculture sector related to workforce development and DEI, what progress we are striving for, and actions USDA is taking to make progress. This session will be followed by Q&A.
- Moderator: Dr. Quentin Tyler, Michigan State University
- Dr. Dewayne Goldmon, USDA
10:15 a.m.
Break, group picture, and book signing
Join us for the conference group picture and Stephen Ritz’s book signing opportunity.
10:30 a.m.
Connect to Understanding: Higher Education and Industry Approaches to DEI
This panel will explore the approaches to DEI from higher education and industry perspectives to increase understanding and ensure we are connecting on common ground. This panel will be followed by Q&A.
- Moderator: Philomena Morrissey Satre, Land O’Lakes
- Crystal Andrews Banks, Kraft Heinz
- Dr. Theressa Cooper, Iowa State University
- Randy Irving, Nutrien
11:30 a.m.
Lunch and Connect to Storytelling: Changing the Narrative
Stories are a powerful form of connection in reaching audiences and changing the narrative around agriculture and food. These lunch roundtable discussions will focus on how to reach a diverse audience and authentically tell stories.
Roundtable moderators:
- Jazmin Alberran, Seed Your Future
- Dr. Billie Grant, Tuskegee University
- Dr. Ronda Hamm, Corteva Agriscience
- Bonnie Johnson, AgCareers.com
- Martha Montoya, AgTools, Inc.
- Rebecca Popara, Colorado State University System
- Elias G. Quiñonez, Colorado State University
- Russell Schiller, Together We Grow
- Ian Smith, National MANRRS
12:30 p.m.
Connect to Our Future: What is the New Workforce Looking For?
What are the expectations of the upcoming workforce? How does the current work environment align with the desires of this new generation for agriculture and food? Student leaders across various universities will join us for a panel discussion and live Q&A to discuss how to prepare for their entrance into the workforce.
- Moderator: Renee Aaron, STEMconnector
- Mikiyah Baldwin, Florida A&M University
- Brytany Gama, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Jahqethea Johnson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Robert Thomas, Prairie View A&M University
1:30 p.m.
Connect to the Road Ahead: Building a Vision for TWG
Engage with TWG’s strategic planning process in this interactive session with the TWG Strategic Planning Committee to gain your perspectives and insight.
- Lauren Baer, Together We Grow
- Polly Ruhland, United Soybean Board
- Dr. Ben West, University of Tennessee
- TWG Strategic Planning Committee
2:30 p.m.
Break and book signing
Stephen Ritz will be signing books during the break.
2:45 p.m.
Connect to Impact: How Storytelling Can Build a Resilient Workforce
How can storytelling impact the workforce? This interactive session will illustrate the power of stories to build resiliency in today’s workforce and organizations.
- Emily Best, Seed&Spark and Film Forward
3:45 p.m.
Connect to the Path Forward: Closing Remarks
- Lauren Baer, Together We Grow
4 p.m.
Conference ends
If you are attending the MANRRS Diversity Summit, take a break and get ready for an exciting evening!
Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!
The conference will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis: 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.
For hotel accommodation information see additional FAQs below.
For full agenda information, please go to our event agenda page. The agenda is subject to adjustment; please continue to check the event agenda page for the most current information regarding times, sessions, and speaker line-up.
- Registration opens: Dec. 1, 2022
- Early Bird registration ends: Jan. 31, 2023
- Registration closes: April 1, 2023
TWG’s event registration timeline is aligned with MANRRS. Register today to take advantage of the early bird registration discount. The first 20 people to register prior to the early bird deadline will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Power of a Plant by Stephen Ritz of the Green Bronx Machine or Inclusion Revolution by Daisy Auger-Domínguez of VICE Media.
TWG Annual Meeting only
- Early Bird registration (Dec. 1–Jan. 31): $200
- Regular registration (Feb. 1–April 1): $250
Discounted TWG Meeting (with separate MANRRS Diversity Summit registration)**
- Early Bird registration (Dec. 1–Jan. 31): $175
- Regular registration (Feb. 1–April 1): $225
**Please note that the TWG Connect Conference discounted registration fee does not serve as a registration to the MANRRS Diversity Summit. To register for the MANRRS Diversity Summit, please visit the MANRRS National Conference page. All TWG conference registrants will receive a discount code for $50 off your MANRRS Diversity Summit registration. The code will be included in your TWG registration confirmation email from Eventbrite.
We want our members and partners to attend! If you need additional support to attend the conference, please reach out to Lauren Baer at [email protected].
TWG appreciates event sponsors to help ensure we have an amazing conference. Check out our 2023 sponsors at the bottom of this page.
If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Lauren Baer at [email protected] for sponsorship information and opportunities, including event sponsor benefits such as free registration and event sponsor visibility and day-of promotion.
ADDITIONAL FAQ
We look forward to welcoming individuals from member organizations, strategic partners and those committed to workforce development and diversity, equity and inclusion for agriculture and food. Whether you are in industry, higher education, government or a NGO, we hope you will consider joining us to connect, learn and be inspired.
Both TWG and MANRRS conferences will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. The Hilton Atlanta — located at 255 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 — is also recommended, as it is linked to the Peachtree Center via skybridge.
Due to the downtown Atlanta location of this event, there are many other options for accommodations within walking distance of the event hotel.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Please plan for your own transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. The conference will be held at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis.
TWG will follow local health requirements and notify attendees of any requirements through updates to this event page and additional communications. As always, please feel free to wear a mask and social distance according to your comfort levels.
This will be a fully in-person event, and we look forward to seeing you in Atlanta, Ga.
Yes! We look forward to several participants from your organization attending. If your organization plans to register more than five (5) attendees, please reach out to Lauren Baer at [email protected] to ensure that all TWG member organizations have the opportunity to attend.
In addition to the TWG meeting, please consider registering to attend the MANRRS Diversity Summit on Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13. With the close alignment of MANRRS and TWG’s missions, TWG is partnering with MANRRS to hold our 2023 Connect Conference and Annual Meeting ahead of the MANRRS Annual Conference and Diversity Summit.
These are still separate events, so please make sure to individually register for both if you plan to attend both conferences. We are looking forward to seeing the new partnerships and connections that come out of our conferences this year.
Additionally, TWG and MANRRS are offering discounted conference registrations for participants that register for both events.
Please visit the MANRRS National Conference webpage to learn more about the MANRRS Diversity Summit, National Conference and registration. The TWG Connect Conference and Annual Meeting and MANRRS National Conference and Diversity Summit are separate events, so please make sure to register for each conference separately if you plan to attend both. Once you have registered for the TWG conference, you will receive a discount code for your MANRRS Diversity Summit registration in your TWG confirmation email from Eventbrite.
Visit Discover Atlanta and Explore Georgia for more information and suggestions on things to do and see while you are in The Big Peach.
Please contact Lauren Baer at [email protected] with TWG Annual Meeting questions. If you have questions about the MANRRS events, please refer to the MANRRS website, or contact Ebony Webber at [email protected].
