Conference Speakers
Rory Groves
Gather & Grow Ministries
Rory Groves is a former technology consultant and founder of multiple software businesses. Several years ago, he moved his family from the city to the country to begin the journey toward a more durable way of life. Rory and his wife, Becca, now reside in southern Minnesota, where they farm, raise livestock, host workshops, and homeschool their six children. He is the author of The Family Economy: Discovering the Family as It Was Designed to Work and Durable Trades: Family-Centered Economies That Have Stood the Test of Time. Along with his wife and family, Rory runs a non-profit ministry, Gather & Grow, which is dedicated to helping others build their own family economies.
Speaker Sessions
The College Questions: Exploring Alternatives to the College-Debt Route
(Life Launch)
For thousands of years before college was an option, people trained for work through the apprenticeship model. Rather than going tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars in debt, young people were paid to learn and prepared for life by godly mentors. This talk explores alternatives to the college-debt route, including apprenticeship, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.
Foundations of the Family Economy
(Family Business Track)
For most of human history, the home was the principal “factory” of society, and families worked together to produce everything they needed. But in the modern economy, the family is more divided than it has ever been. This talk explores the family economy as a model for productive households and generational discipleship, and provides practical steps for getting started.
Purpose Over Paycheck
(Family Discipleship)
With over 30,000 occupations currently in existence, students face a bewildering array of careers upon which to center their lives. But there is more at stake than just a paycheck. This talk will discuss what makes for meaningful work, self-reliance, and careers that reinforce, rather than undermine, family life and a vibrant home economy.
Durable Trades for a Durable Future
(Life Launch)
Jobs in the building trades are projected to increase faster than jobs in every other sector in America over the next decade. Over the same time period, many white-collar jobs requiring four-year college degrees will cease to exist. Why is this? This talk exposes the “Vital Lie” in our society that manual labor is only for low-paid or uneducated dropouts. In fact, the research proves that trades are among the highest-paid, longest-lasting, and most resilient of careers.
Technology, AI, and the Future of Work
(Family Business Track)
Artificial Intelligence has changed the game for careers, college, and every step of the educational ladder. As AI-driven technologies become increasingly integrated into classrooms and workplaces, students and professionals must adapt to new methods of learning, assessment, and skill development. This talk covers some of the challenges we will face in this Brave New World and how we can navigate these changes and prepare for a rapidly evolving future.
Join thousands of homeschoolers this June 11-13th at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference in Denver, Colorado!
Expect to have a lot of fun and fellowship, find great deals on curriculum, and get practical encouragement for your homeschooling journey!
A BIG THANK YOU to our 2026 Conference Sponsors
