2027
SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker:
Qiddist Ashé
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Black Oregon Land Trust
Qiddist Ashé is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Black Oregon Land Trust, Oregon’s first Black-led community land trust. Through BOLT, she works to secure land access, protect ecosystems, and cultivate earth stewardship skills that support thriving land-based futures for Black communities across Oregon. In the past four years, BOLT has protected over 100 acres of land, supported dozens of farmers, and grown a powerful model of community-held land stewardship rooted in food sovereignty, cultural memory, ecological care, and intergenerational resilience. Born and raised in Oregon, Qiddist brings a multidisciplinary background in traditional midwifery, women’s health, education, and policy to her leadership. Across these fields, her work has always centered the same essential question: what conditions do communities need in order to live, heal, belong, and thrive?
Keynote Speaker:
Jonalee Squeochs
Interim General Manager, Yakama Nation Farms
Jonalee is currently the interim General Manager of Yakama Nation Farms. She is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and a graduate of Washington State University. Since May of 2022, Jonalee has been closely working to assist with the Yakama Nation’s efforts in transitioning their recently acquired 1,500-acre grow, pack, and ship produce farm in Wapato Washington, to tribal management. Yakama Nation Farms proudly grows 500 acres of certified organic and 1000 acres of conventionally grown row vegetables. The farm, previously owned and operated by the Inaba family for over 100 years, has been a longstanding contributor of high-quality, locally grown products to the regional Pacific northwest fresh produce distribution system.
Keynote Speaker:
Jennifer Tucker, PH.D.
Deputy Administrator, USDA National Organic Program
Dr. Jennifer Tucker has been Deputy Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program since June 2018. Before that, she was Associate Deputy Administrator of the NOP for seven years. Before joining USDA, she led organization development and technology consulting practices in the private sector. She earned a B.A. in Environmental Science from Wesleyan University, an M.S. in Management from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Tech.
Emcee:
Matthew Wellsandt
Quality Assurance Lead, Organically Grown Company
Matt Wellsandt has worked for Organically Grown Co. since 2019, primarily in leadership roles with operations and quality assurance. He has also served as a member of the sustainability committee; coordinating various recycling projects. In addition to his work with organic produce, Matt is a semi-professional comedian, performing in the Portland/Vancouver area. He has appeared in such acts as Magenta Improv Theatre, ComedySportz Rec League, “Medford Medical" and “Score!”More speakers coming soon.