About the Conference
The Open Fields Alliance Annual Conference brings together LGBTQ+ people working in agriculture, natural resources, and food systems, along with the HR and inclusion professionals, employee resource group leaders, executives, and allies working toward an equitable industry.
Registration is Open
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall.
Bringing a group? Five or more people from one organization get a group rate — contact Tandy Kidd.
Want to get out of the hotel? Optional add-ons you can choose at registration.
University of Minnesota Arboretum Tour - $50
Collegiate Personal Branding Workshop - $25
Need to make the case to your employer? There's a one-page professional development request you can send them.
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Kiah Twisselman Burchett
Kiah Twisselman Burchett A multigenerational California rancher who became a coach and speaker - Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, the 2025 National FFA Convention. She talks about confidence and self-acceptance to rooms full of agriculture people.
Agenda
The Conference Scholarship
Open Fields Alliance offers Conference scholarships of up to $1,500, covering registration and travel. They're open to LGBTQ+ people and allies working or studying in food and agriculture - professionals and students are both eligible. You do not need to document hardship or explain yourself at length.
Scholarships are now closed for 2026
OFA Partners
CHS, Inc.
Corteva
National Farmers Union
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Valent North America
Vital Farms
Conference Sponsors
Want your organization here next year? With sponsorship opportunities from $1,500 to $50,000+, we've got an opportunity for you, and a custom option if none of it fits.
Scoular
Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences
Oregon State University Extension
Syngenta
Nationwide
Cargill
FAQ
What happens at our Annual Conference?
On the first day, you’ll be able to attend a first timers session to get to know others. Most people in that room are meeting each other for the first time — so the rest of the Annual Conference, you’ll have people you’ve met. The next few days are concurrent sessions on things like leading as yourself and building an ERG from the ground up, PowerTalks (TEDx-style stories from participants), and fireside chats on timely issues in the sector. If you got in a day early, you may have already sat in on an affinity group meeting with people who see themselves the way you do. Most people come alone their first year — by the second afternoon, they've shared at least two meals with people they'd never met.
When and where is the 2026 Annual Conference?
The 2026 Annual Conference runs October 4–6 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is hosted by Open Fields Alliance, formerly Cultivating Change Foundation.
Do I have to be out at work to attend?
No. Plenty of people at the Annual Conference are not out at their companies, and some are not out at home. Open Fields Alliance does not publish an attendee list and will not contact your employer. Attending is not a disclosure.
Can my employer pay for the Annual Conference?
Often, yes — this is professional development and most companies have a budget line for it. Open Fields Alliance publishes a one-page professional development request you can forward to a manager. It covers networking, leadership skills, and industry insight, in the language your manager expects.
What should I wear?
Business or smart casual. Our space is meant for you to be yourself. Dress to express yourself — especially at our celebration dinner, which is more upscale.
Who Attends?
Someone who farms, and has never met another LGBTQ+ farmer.
A junior communications person at a company where they're the only one out.
A college sophomore whose advisor told them about this.
An HR lead trying to build an employee resource group from nothing.
A company ERG or BRG leader looking to build a stronger network inside their own business
An ally who got invited by a friend and came back the next year.
You do not need a title, a company, or acertain number of years to belong in the room.