The Cultivating Change Summit

The purpose of the Cultivating Change Summit is to bring together LGBTQ+ individuals connected to agriculture, natural resources, and food systems, along with employees, human resources and diversity and inclusion professionals, employee resource group leaders, executives, organizational leaders, allies, and others who are working toward creating an equitable industry environment for LGBTQ+ people.

Registration Opening April 1, 2025

Summit Speaker RFP

Call for Summit Speakers & Presenters

We are seeking speakers for the Cultivating Change Summit in Portland, Oregon, October 5-7, 2025. This process will also include proposals for those individuals interested in presenting webinars with the Cultivating Change Foundation during 2025.

We are seeking dynamic speakers, facilitators, and subject matter experts who can contribute valuable insights, foster inclusivity, and inspire change within the agriculture and food sector. Individuals are limited to 2 submissions per person and should be submitted separately.

Please direct all questions to Derek Mulhern, Executive Director at derek.mulhern@thecultivatingchangefoundation.org. Please note that this is not a paid opportunity. Stipends may be requested for keynote sessions. All submissions are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on February 23, 2025. Proposals will be notified of their acceptance no later than April 1, 2025.

Scholarship Application

Scholarships for Cultivating Change Summit

The Cultivating Change Foundation is excited to offer scholarships to help offset the costs of attending the 2025 Cultivating Change Summit, taking place October 5-7 in Portland, Oregon. Thanks to the support of the Nothmann Family Charitable Fund and the Cultivating Change Board of Directors, these scholarships are available to LGBTQ+ individuals and allies working in agriculture, food, and related fields. Whether you’re a student or an industry professional, this opportunity can help cover expenses like registration and travel, with awards of up to $1,500. Apply by May 30, 2025, to join us in cultivating community, leadership, and change.

SpectrumNEXT Application

SpectrumNEXT Leadership Program Application

In partnership with Syngenta, the Cultivating Change Foundation is proud to launch applications for the SpectrumNEXT Leadership Development Pre-Summit Experience, a hybrid program combining virtual sessions with an in-person capstone event in Portland, Oregon, from October 4–5, 2025. This program is designed for LGBTQ+ mid-level and mid-career professionals with 10+ years of experience, offering tailored leadership development through workshops, mentorship, and coaching. SpectrumNEXT empowers participants to embrace their authentic leadership style, navigate workplace challenges, and build a strong professional network within the LGBTQ+ community. Applications are due by March 31, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow, connect, and lead with purpose.

These leaders and partners join together to share strategies and best practices to create a community inclusive of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the food, fiber, and natural resources industry through workshops, expert panels, networking mixers, and keynotes from prominent agriculture LGBTQ+ and ally industry leaders

Farmers and Ranchers
Human Resources
Executives
Employee Resource Groups
Organizations and Societies
Cooperative Extension Agents
State and Regional Agricultural Education professionals
Leaders in educational organizations and societies
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences undergraduate and graduate students
Agriculturalists who are allies of the LGBTQ+ community
Friends and family of LGBTQ+ agriculturalistsion