The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD), Community Farm Alliance (CFA), the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, Kentucky State University, and the University of Kentucky are partnering to offer the 4th Annual Eastern Kentucky Farmer Conference. The conference will be held at the Morehead Conference Center in Morehead, KY on February 28 and 29, 2020, beginning at 12:30pm EST on Friday and 8:30am EST on Saturday. Topics for this year’s conference include high tunnel production, GAP and post handling practices, selling in today’s digital market, small fruits production, understanding your processor, no-till vegetable production, livestock management, and many more that you won’t want to miss.

In addition, the East Kentucky Farmer Conference is offering ThinkTank sessions for individual farmers the morning of Friday, February 28th.  These sessions are intended to help farmers overcome barriers to their goals. The sessions require a short application and will feature one farmer meeting with representatives from federal, state, and non-profit partners who regularly work with farmers to address issues, connect with resources, and overcome barriers.  These will be 15-minute, intensive sessions where the farmer describes their idea and goals and resource providers work together to suggest strategies and resources to move forward.  Based on farmer needs, resource providers will follow up with individual farmers.  It’s a great way for farmers to share their ideas and challenges in front of people who can help them further their farm business!  Only 8 spots are available, so sign up quickly. The ThinkTank link to apply is https://forms.gle/42fkiqdViU52nNeDA.

Pre-registration for the 2020 Eastern Kentucky Farmer Conference ends Saturday, February 22, 2020. Lodging is available at the Best Western Eagle Inn and at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Morehead, KY.

Day-of registrations are also available via cash or check.

Registration includes dinner on Friday, and breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Local farmers and producers will be priority when sourcing for meals.

To register, please visit the online event page at https://cfaky.org/2020-ekfc/.

The Kentucky Horticultural Council, the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association, the Kentucky Society for Horticulture Science, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture are co-hosting a produce Grower-Buyer MeetUp on Friday, February 28 prior the conference. This year, you will have a chance to meet one-on-one in a “speed date” format to exchange contact information and match up products and needs with key buyers. Face-to-face meetings with experts in food safety, organic production, and marketing will also be available.

Produce buyers include chefs, retail, and distribution representatives. Annually, more than 30 buyers attend this event, representing businesses such as Creation Gardens, Kroger, Walmart, Houchens, AWG, Whole Foods, Good Foods Co-op, and other distributors who reach all levels of grocery outlets.

Check-in starts at 8:30 am with buyer introductions beginning promptly at 9 am. Immediately following the event is the Eastern Kentucky Farmers Conference at the same location. For meeting registration details, visit: https://cfaky.org/2020-ekfc/.

For additional questions about the conference please contact:
Kati Bowman
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development
kbowman@kcard.info