2024 Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration

Guests will visit a Niman Ranch farm, hear from top thought leaders, enjoy a multi-course gala dinner prepared by some of the country’s most celebrated chefs and, most importantly, spend time with Niman Ranch farmers.  

Questions? Please contact Elle Gadient at elle.gadient@nimanranch.com or 303-501-6327. 

Event Overview 

Thursday, August 22

6:00 – 9:00 pm Welcome Dinner, Big Grove Brewery

Friday, August 23

6:30 – 9:00 am Breakfast, Hall of Cities, 3rd Floor

11:30 am – 1:00 pm Lunch, Windows on 7th, 1st Floor

1:00 pm Board Buses for Alderland Family Farms Tour

1:30 pm Board Bus for Boor Family Farm Tour

4:45 pm Board Buses for Hog Roast

6:00 – 9:00 pm Hog Roast, West End Architectural Salvage

Saturday, August 24

6:30 – 8:00 am Breakfast, Hall of Cities, 3rd Floor

7:45 am Doors Open, Des Moines Exhibit Hall, 3rd Floor

8:00 am – 12:30 pm Education Summit, Des Moines Exhibit Hall, 3rd Floor

Fireside Chat
Paul Willis, Niman Ranch
Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank

Fireside Chat
Maisie Ganzler, Author
Moderated by Eric Schmid, St. Louis Public Radio

Keynote: Retail Touchpoints & Brand Experience
Kevin Kelley, Shook Kelley

Panel: Redefining Value During Inflationary Times
Lee Campanella, LaBonne’s Market
Reba Hatcher, ButcherBox
Troy Wilhelm, Harris Teeter
Moderated by Kiki Aranita, New York Magazine & Poi Dog Sauces

Panel: Institutional Procurement for Better Food Systems
Yael Cypers Kotick, Alice Waters Institute
Dayanny De La Cruz, Levy Restaurants
Molly Riordan, The Center for Good Food Purchasing
Sapna Thottathil, Center for Climate Health & Equity, University of California
Moderated by Kiki Aranita, New York Magazine & Poi Dog Sauces

Panel: Culinary Predictions – Chefs Speak Out
Brian Fowler, BLACKBARN
Christy McKenzie, Pasture and Plenty
Niven Patel, FEAL Hospitality
Samantha Sanz, Post Hospitality
Andy Teixeira, Newport Vineyards
Moderated by Anne McBride, James Beard Foundation

10:05 – 10:15 am Break

Farmer Video

Fireside Chat
William McIntee, The White House
Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank

Panel: Agriculture and Public Health – Impacts and Avenues for Change
Anna Gray, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Theresa Greenfield, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dr. Judy Monroe, CDC Foundation
Tambra Raye Stevenson, Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture (WANDA)
Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank

Farmer Spotlights
Dee Sandquist, Sandquist Family Farm
Diego Mordhorst, Mordhorst Family Farm

Keynote Fireside
Ertharin Cousin, Food Systems for the Future
Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank

Panel: Responsible Meat’s Role in an Ever-Changing World
Corey Blumenthal, Shake Shack
Moderated by Jared Kaufman, St. Paul Pioneer Press

Panel: The Future of Farming
Joe Mickelson, Mickelson Family Farm
Surita Sandosham, Heifer International
Trisha Zachman, Feathered Acres Farm
Kelsey Watson, National Young Farmers Coalition
Moderated by Jamaica Ponder, CBS Chicago

Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation Spotlight
Tracey Ryder, Edible Communities

Keynote – Prop 12 and the EATS Act: A Call to Action
Ron Mardesen, A-Frames Acres

12:30 pm Lunch, Hall of Cities, 3rd Floor

1:30 – 3:30 pm Niman Ranch Company Update, Des Moines Exhibit Hall, 3rd Floor

Fireside Chat
Chris Oliviero, General Manager, Niman Ranch
Ryan Perdue, Senior Vice President, Perdue Specialty Meats & Emerging Brands     
Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank

State of the Business
Chris Oliviero, General Manager, Niman Ranch

Sales Update
Jake Fazio, Vice President of Retail Sales, Niman Ranch
Kay Cornelius, Vice President of Food Service Sales, Niman Ranch

Communications & Impact
Alicia LaPorte, Senior Director of Communications & Impact, Niman Ranch

Marketing
Drew Calvert, Vice President of Marketing, Niman Ranch

Q&A

Closing Remarks
Ryan Perdue, Senior Vice President, Perdue Specialty Meats & Emerging Brands     

5:00 – 5:55 pm Reception, Des Moines Exhibit Hall, 3rd Floor

6:00 pm 26th Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner, Iowa Ballroom, 2nd Floor

Sunday, August 25

6:30 – 9:30 am Breakfast, Hall of Cities, 3rd Floor

Travel Logistics 

After submitting your RSVP, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details to secure a room at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown at the discounted rate of $132+taxes per night.