Friday Evening, Social Kickoff: March 21, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
A relaxed and welcoming community event, featuring local Texas-grown foods, beer, wine, music, and social activities. It’s the perfect chance to meet fellow attendees, connect with local food producers, and begin the weekend with a fun evening in great company!
Stage 12 @ Brookshire Brothers
503 George Bush Dr W
College Station, TX 77840
Saturday, Educational Experience: March 22, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The core of Taste 360 includes a full day of engaging, educational sessions split across four unique learning tracks at TAMU campus. Attendees can choose one track to dive into or mix and match to explore various topics that interest them. The day ends with a special cocktail and mocktail hour featuring various offerings from the Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
The Shirley & Joe Swinbank ’74 AgriLife Center
556 John Kimbrough Blvd
College Station, TX, 77843
The Gardens at Texas A&M University
578 John Kimbrough Blvd
College Station, TX, 77843
Saturday’s Schedule
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Registration
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM – Conference Welcome and Housekeeping
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM – Keynote Session
Keynote:
Plants, Parks, and Wild Areas: Improving Health Through Nature Contact
by Dr. Jay Maddock and Dr. Charlie Hall
SESSION A: 10:35 AM – 11:25 AM
Funding For Your Startup – Capital Farm Credit
Are you ready for this……….if and what to plant? – Dr. Larry Stein. Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist
Best Practices in Home Food Preservation – Dr. Jenna Anding. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Nutrition
Sourdough 101: The Starter’s Journey – Ms. Shana Kutac. County Extension Agent – Family Community and Health
WORKSHOP – Tastefully Deceived: The Science and Sensory Secrets Behind Wine Tasting – Dr. Andreea Botezatu. Associate Professor and Enology Extension Specialist
Break 11:25 AM – 11:45 AM
SESSION B: 11:45 AM – 12:35 PM
Turning Family Land Into a Viable Wine and Beer Business – DeepRoots Vineyards
Ronin Farm & Restaurant – Mr. Brian & Mrs. Amanda Light. Owners and Executive Chef
Catch A Buzz: About Honey Bees and Their Natural Products – Ms. Brandi Williams. Farm Manager
Mead!!! The Beverage of the Ancestors – Mr. Brandon Ross. Owner and Operator
WORKSHOP – The Perfect Pour: A Journey Through Coffee Brewing Methods – Mr. Eric Brenner. Assistant Director
LUNCH: 12:35 PM – 1:30 PM
SESSION C: 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
Cultivating a Green Business – From Garden to Grid – Ms. Charla Anthony. Horticulturalist and Blogger
From Seedlings to Celebration: Cultivating Success on the Christmas Tree Farm – Mr. Duane and Mrs. Donna Patrick. Owners
Backyard Fruit Production Made Easy! – Dr. Tim Hartmann. Extension Fruit Specialist and Assistant Professor
Fermentology: The Art and Science of Fermented Foods! – Ms. Shana Kutac. County Extension Agent – Family Community and Health
WORKSHOP – How-To Raised Garden Beds & Optimal Soil Health – Dr. Joe Masabni. Extension Vegetable Specialist
Break 2:20 PM – 2:40 PM
SESSION D: 2:40 PM – 3:30 PM
Tips for Preparing a Business Plan – Dr. Edward Rister. Professor and Associate Department Head in Agricultural Economics
Pleasure, Perils, Profits, and Pitfalls of Part-time Peaches (& Other Fruits) – Dr. Monte Nesbitt and Mrs. Carol Nesbitt. Extension Horticulture Specialist and Assistant Professor
Farm Fresh to the Table: Skip the Supermarket – Mr. Eric Boniol. Farmer and Rancher
Small But Mighty: Yeast and Bacteria, the Invisible Wine Heroes – Dr. Andreea Botezatu. Associate Professor and Enology Extension Specialist
WORKSHOP – Water Smart Strategies for Irrigation Design and Application – Mr. David Smith. Extension Program Specialist III
Coffee Break 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
SESSION E: 3:50 PM – 4:40 PM
Resources Available Through The Texas Department of Agriculture – Mr. Manuel Martinez. Field Representative at Texas Department of Agriculture
Growing Hope: Practical and Philosophical Impacts of Local Cut Flower Farming – Ms. Hallie Bates. Business Owner and Texas A&M University Student
Gardening For Fun, Gardening For Life – Dr. Joe Masabni. Extension Vegetable Specialist
Blackwater Draw Brewing Company – Mr. Chris Weingart. Co-Founder and Brewmaster
WORKSHOP – Propagate Your Own Fruit Trees: Budding and Grafting Made Easy! – Dr. Tim Hartmann. Extension Fruit Specialist and Assistant Professor
Break 4:40 PM – 5:00 PM
It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere. Cocktails and mocktails in The Gardens
CLOSING REMARKS.
