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About Will Harris
Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman and the owner of White Oak Pastures, a renowned 3,200-acre regenerative farm in Bluffton, Georgia. After years of conventional cattle ranching, Will transitioned his family’s farm to a holistic, pasture-based model focused on environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and rural revitalization.
Today, White Oak Pastures produces grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, and a variety of other livestock using regenerative practices that restore soil health and biodiversity. Will is a national leader in regenerative agriculture, speaking widely on sustainable farming, vertical integration, and the economic transformation of rural communities. His leadership has made White Oak Pastures a model for resilient, values-driven farm businesses.
Saturday Keynote -Daniel SalatinTopic: Pastured Poultry Production & Labor: What It Really Takes When: 11:00 AM on January 31, 2026 A practical breakdown of systems, labor planning, and decision-making for profitable, scalable production. |
About Daniel Salatin
Daniel Salatin is the second-generation farmer at Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, where he manages daily operations of one of the most influential pasture-based farms in the world. Raised alongside the animals, infrastructure, and philosophy of regenerative agriculture, Daniel now oversees the production and marketing of pastured poultry, pork, beef, and rabbits for thousands of loyal customers.
In addition to his work on the farm, Daniel has served the APPPA community for many years as a board member, offering leadership, insight, and encouragement to fellow producers. Through speaking, mentoring, and hands-on training, he has guided thousands of farmers in building profitable, pasture-based operations grounded in practical wisdom and proven systems.
Schedule
Our conference features the following types of sessions.
Community Meetups - Scheduled by attendees for anytime during the conference to discuss any topic. There is no formal involvement with APPPA to set these up and run. Our event app, Whova, makes this easy.
Ask APPPA Live- Themed Q&A panels that bring the monthly Ask APPPA calls in-person. Introductory level sessions to be had on brooding, pasture, and processing. Sessions are 60 minutes. Audience questions will be answered by the panel.
Workshops - 60 minute sessions led by one or two speakers around a topic. The typical format is lecture based with limited audience Q&A.
APPPAExchange - Experienced producers collaboratively problem solve challenging issues that go beyond the basic production topics. Each 60 minute session is facilitated to ensure the conversation stays on topic and relevant. Each question and each response should be asked within two minutes.
Farmer Spotlights - Farmers are given ten minutes and one presentation slide to convey one idea that has profoundly impacted their pastured poultry farm or business.
Some sessions have not yet been finalized and schedule is subject to change. Download the Whoova App now and Search for: APPPA Conference 2026 for the most up to date schedule information.
We’re kicking things off Thursday, January 29 at 4 PM with the always-popular APPPA Olympics — a fun, family-friendly tradition that brings producers together before the main event begins.
The main conference runs Friday and Saturday, January 30–31, with a dynamic mix of keynote sessions, hands-on learning, and real-world discussion.
Featured speakers include:
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Will Harris on the deeper value of regenerative agriculture
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Daniel Salatin on labor-efficient production systems
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Nathan Bonds, a lean manufacturing and pastured poultry mastermind
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David Eaton on communication strategies for the next generation of producers
Attendees can also expect practical, skill-based sessions such as:
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Knife sharpening
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Sausage making
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Electric fence demonstration
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Writing stress-free HACCP plans
The full agenda will be available via Whova in September. Stay tuned — this is shaping up to be one of our best gatherings yet!
Lodging & Airport
We have group rate at our conference center hotel: Mention APPPAConference
Holiday Inn Resort Kissimmee by the Parks
Phone: 1-407-396-1400
Make online reservations using this link.
Airports
The APPPA Conference 2026 will be held in Kissimmee, Florida — just south of Orlando and easily accessible by air.
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Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 25 minutes away
The most convenient option, with extensive domestic and international flights. Offers car rentals, rideshare, and shuttle services. -
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) – 1 hour away
A smaller airport served by select carriers, often offering low-cost flights. -
Tampa International Airport (TPA) – 1.5 hours away
A major airport with full-service airlines and car rental options — a good alternative if you're combining travel with a Gulf Coast visit. -
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – 2.25 hours away
A regional option that may offer competitive fares from some cities. Ideal for those planning to explore more of Florida.
You can easily get to the hotel via rental car, Uber, or ride-sharing. As the conference draws near, attendees will be able to coordinate ride shares through our event app.
Sponsors
Our bustling expo area is a key part of the APPPA Conference experience, offering vendors direct access to engaged pastured poultry producers from across the country. Exhibitors are encouraged to set up interactive displays, demonstrate products, and make on-site sales.
We offer a variety of sponsorship packages designed to help your brand stand out — from booth space to unique promotional opportunities tailored to your goals. You'll not only gain visibility but also show your support for the hardworking farmers building the future of pasture-based poultry.
Our sponsorship packet is available digitally, and for our Plain community friends, we are happy to mail a printed copy.
Please contact Ginger@apppa.org for more information.