Land Talk Lounge 2026: Conversations to Watch
The Old Salt Festival weekend has become defined by finely crafted dishes from our live cookfire, foot-stomping music under Montana's big sky, unique treasures in our general store, and important conversations had by our gathering of esteemed speakers.
This year, that tent hosted speakers and panelists who examined who ultimately owns the future of land and agriculture, how to collaboratively ranch in grizzly country, what it looks like to integrate ancestral food practices in the modern age, and so much more. We're grateful to everyone who joined us under that tent and gave their time, their expertise and their stories to make it happen — thank you.
If you couldn't make it out to the Festival, or want to relive a session, the rest of our recorded panel conversations, along with moving welcome messages from the mainstage, are now live on YouTube:
Friday, June 19
Welcome message from Zach Ducheneaux
Welcome message from Zach Ducheneaux
Saturday, June 20
Opening prayer by Dr. Kim Paul
Ranching with grizzlies in the Gravelly Range
Corps of Rediscovery with Mary Berry, Meriwether Lewis Hardie and Sam Western
Opening prayer by Dr. Kim Paul
Ranching with grizzlies in the Gravelly Range
Corps of Rediscovery with Mary Berry, Meriwether Lewis Hardie and Sam Western
Eat like a Human with Dr. Bill Schindler
Follow-up conversation between Dr. Bill Schindler and Robb Wolf
Follow-up conversation between Dr. Bill Schindler and Robb Wolf
These talks are a critical part of the Old Salt Festival because good food and good land don't happen by accident — they're the result of choices, policies, and traditions that many of us never see. To every speaker who sat down with us this year: we are grateful to have been by the fire, in the open Montana air, with people who've spent their lives thinking hard about the land and the people that belong to it.
Catch the full recordings, and we'll see you next year for another round of meaningful conversations at the Old Salt Festival.
