OAK 2023 Conference Recordings

In early 2023, OAK held its annual conference at Kentucky State University's Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort, Kentucky. The conference sold out and brought together amazing speakers and participants to join in learning and networking, with the theme "Rooted in Resilience: Growing Healthy Soils and Opportunities for Kentucky Organics."

 

#OAK2023 was OAK's 12th annual farming conference and included a growing audience of hundreds of Kentuckians and neighbors active in community food systems: farmers, researchers, nonprofit professionals, federal and state agency partners, allied service providers and conscious consumers working collectively to build a local, resilient and healthy food system. The synergy of these diverse voices, messages and approaches combined with the place-based connection to our Kentucky farms, soil and communities provided a rich foundation for conversation and growth.

 

Please enjoy these recorded sessions from the 12th Annual OAK Conference Rooted in Resilience: Growing Healthy Soils and Opportunities for Kentucky Organics on January 26-28, 2023Learnings and resources linked below with new content added every month June - October 2023.

 

September 2023 Releases

Optimizing Your Farms Sales Funnel-Marketing Success! 

Corinna Bench - Shared Legacy Farms / My Digital Farmer

Adding Energy Efficiency to the Family Farm 

Josh Bills - Mountain Association; Seth Long - SouthDown Farm

Agroforestry 101: What It Is and How To Incorporate It on Your Farm 

Darren Bender-Beauregard - Brambleberry Farm; Jody Thompson - Kentucky State University

Kentucky State Cost Share and Ag Water Quality Plan Basics 

Jay Nelson - Kentucky Division of Conservation; Debbie Apple - River Cottage Farm

Open Daily: Operating a Farmer-Owned Retail and Aggregation Outlet 

Armonda Riggs - Four Flags Farm LLC / Rose Hill Farm Stop; Mike Record - New Ground Farm / Rose Hill Farm Stop

Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers: Setup and Management

Chris Teutsch and Morgan Hayes - University of Kentucky; Jeremy McGill - Gallaghe

 

August 2023 Releases

 

Beyond Compost: Nutrient Budgeting for Small Organic Farms 

Krista Jacobsen - University of Kentucky; Christopher McKenzie - Grow Appalachia

Introduction to Forest Farming: Almost Everything you Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask 

Andrea Miller - Rural Action; Robin Suggs - Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD)

Strategies and Practices for Building Soil Health on the Modern Organic Farm 

Shawn Lucas - Kentucky State University

Small-Scale Grain and Dry Bean Production

Nazirahk Amen - Purple Mountain Grown and Purple Mountain Organics 

 

Helping Grow Local Markets

Birch Bragg - Locals Food Hub and Pizza Pub

 

Inside Peek at Two Kentucky Farmer Sales Funnels

Corinna Bench - Shared Legacy Farms / My Digital Farmer; Rae Strobel - Barr Farms; Melissa Ballard - Bluegrass Beef 

Sankofa: Rethinking Growing Food in the South

Obiora Embry and Irucka Embry - Getting Back to Nature™

 

 

July 2023 Releases

 

KEYNOTE: Reconnecting with the Roots of Organics 

John Ikerd - University of Missouri (Emeritus)

High Tunnelling to Profit: Managing Your Crops, Soils and Structures 

Matt Kleinhenz - Ohio State University; Paul Wiediger - Au Naturel Farm; Annette Wszelaki - University of Tennessee

Corralling High Tunnel Arthropod Pests Through Integrated Pest Management 

Jonathan Larson - University of Kentucky

Tips and Resources for Beginning Farmers  

Maggie Wilder and Melinda Wilder - Wolf Gap Gardens

Farm Bill - What's in it for you?

Kimmie Ishmael and Laurie White - Community Farm Alliance (CFA)

The Basics of Tomato Grafting: What, Why and How 

Rachel Rudolph - University of Kentucky; Cortney Moses - Good Thymes Farm

Costs and Benefits of Integrating Poultry into Vegetable Rotations

Viktor Halmos and David Gonthier - University of Kentucky



 

June 2023 Releases

KEYNOTE: Farming Towards a Healthy Future

Nazirahk Amen - Purple Mountain Grown / Purple Mountain Organics

 

Is There a Grant For That? Focus On Your Farm Funding 

Myrisa Christy and Cara Stewart - KCARD; Jamie Ponder - NRCS; Christopher McKenzie - Grow Appalachia; Joni Nelson - Kentucky State University; Melanie McPartlin - KY Dept of Agriculture; Bryce Baumann - Lazy Eight Stock Farm; Maggie Bowling - Old Homeplace Farm

 

Outdoor Mushroom Inoculation 

Michael Beck and Joana Amorim - Sylvatica Forest Farm

 

Livestock Systems Promoting Soil Health and Biological-Based Fertility 

Greg Halich - University of Kentucky; David Burge - Justamere Farm

 

On-Farm Vegetable Breeding: Developing Varieties Uniquely Adapted to the Southeast 

Megan Allen - Care of the Earth Community Farm; Jared Zystro - Organic Seed Alliance

 

Pathways to Organic Transition and Organic Careers

Panel Discussion with Kenya Abraham - Slak Market Farm; Marcus Bernard - Kentucky State University; Eymlin and Anthony Brooks - Turner Brooks Farm; Jim Coleman - Coleman Crest Farm; Keith McKenzie - Knob Hill Farm 

 

  

 

Save the Date! OAK's 13th Annual Conference will be January 25-27, 2024.

Whether a longtime practitioner or a curious beginner, an early organic adopter or a tentative transitioner, all are welcome to OAK's annual conference. Continuing Education Units for professional development are made available through KERS and KDA. Join OAK next year to be a part of the community for #OAK2024’s informational sessions, passionate panels, creative keynotes, half-day workshops, supportive vendors and locally sourced and organic meals! If there are other ways you would like to support the event, please email us. For all event inquiries, contact OAK

 

Thank you, again, to our 2023 sponsors, partners and funders!

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