OAK 2025 Conference RecordingsIn early 2025, OAK held its 14th conference at Kentucky State University's Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. The conference brought together farmers, graziers, researchers, resource providers and local food system advocates together for learning and networking with the theme, Grounded in Organics: From Soil to Market.
Please enjoy the recordings from the 14th Annual OAK Conference on January 23-25, 2025. Individual recordings are linked below (workshops from January 23, sessions from Friday January 24, and sessions from Saturday January 25). View the full OAK 2025 Conference video playlist on OAK's YouTube and read the print program for session descriptions.
Agroforestry in Practice: Adding Perennials to the Farmscape (Part One and Part Two)Marissa Arnoldussen, OAK; Daniel Mays, Frith Farm; Margaret Shea, Dropseed Native Plant Nursery; Ian Zeglin, Greenacres Foundation; Jesse Frost, Rough Draft Farmstead (Moderator)
Walk-Behind Tractors A to Z: History, Applications, Use and MaintenanceJoel Dufour - Earth Tools; Maggie Dungan - Salad Days Farm
Dealing with the Squeeze: Finding Profit When All Input Costs are High (no recording)Adam Barr - Barr Farms; Ellen Polishuk - Plant to Profit
Silvopasture in the Eastern Hardwood ForestsBrett Chedzoy - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County and Angus Glen Farms LLC; Greg Brann - Greg Brann Consulting and Big Spring Farm; Marissa Arnoldussen - OAK (Moderator)
Storage Crop Success: Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Winter SquashJeff Poppen - Long Hungry Creek FarmMini-Mastermind for Experienced Growers (no recording)Ellen Polishuk - Plant to Profit; Sarah Geurkink - OAK
Opening Session: Organic Farmer PanelLarry Brandenburg - Harmony Fields Farm; Daniel Mays - Frith Farm; Keith McKenzie - Knob Hill Farm; Cortney Moses - GoodThymes Organic Farm; Lisa Munniksma - Freelance Writer and Food Systems Advocate (Moderator)
Strategies to Eliminate Fertilizer and Improve Profitability on KY Cattle FarmsGreg Halich - University of Kentucky
Soil Solarization in High Tunnels for Management of Diseases, Nematodes, and Weeds (no recording)Nicole Gauthier and Rachel Rudolph - University of Kentucky; Ron McMaine - McMaine's Riverhaven Farm
Farmer-Led Trials: How to Plan, Conduct and Fund On-Farm ResearchBrian Geier - Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF); Maggie Dungan - Salad Days Farm
Grazing the Way Towards Soil and Water ConservationAmanda Gumbert - University of Kentucky; Cody Rakes - Loretto Motherhouse Farm
Resource Roundtable: Organic Horticulture in KentuckyRic Bessin - University of Kentucky; Cindy Finneseth - University of Kentucky; Sarah Geurkink - OAK; Kim Leonberger - University of Kentucky; Kirk Pomper - Kentucky State University; Rachel Rudolph - University of Kentucky
Ginger & Turmeric: From Root to Value-Added ProductJesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics
Farmer Roundtable: Rotational GrazingDeeAnn Bauerle - Bauerle Family Farms; Brett Chedzoy - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County / Angus Glen Farms LLC; Greg Halich - University of Kentucky; Cody Rakes - Loretto Motherhouse Farm
PFAS: What Kentucky Farmers Need to KnowTom "Fitz" FitzGerald - Kentucky Resources Council; Nima Kulkarni - Kentucky State Representative (House District 40); Jason Unrine - University of Kentucky; Jamie Young Wise - University of Louisville
To Till or Not To TillEllen Polishuk - Plant to Profit
Farmer Hacks: Innovations Across KentuckyJacqueline Berry - Flourishing Herbs Farm; Dusty Gossett - Gossett Farms; Ken Marks - Floyd's View Farm; Jackson Rolett - Apostles Garden
Federal Policy and Your FarmKimmie Ishmael and Laurie White - Community Farm Alliance
Dive into UK's CSA Handbook: Utilizing and Developing Crop Production ResourcesKristi Durbin - University of Kentucky Organic Farming Unit; Paul Merryweather - Ashbourne Farms
Keynote: Improving Small Farm Success with Organic Farming, Soil Health And TechnologyJesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics
Breaking Down Barriers to Biochar AdoptionLaura Freeman - Mt. Folly Farm; Aysha Tapp Ross - American Farmland Trust
Onions Make the Meal: Growing Onions OrganicallyJeff Poppen - Long Hungry Creek Farm
How to Conduct Research on the FarmFatima Jackson - Action Jackson Farms; Paul Vincelli - University of Kentucky
Crops Under Cover! Reaping the Rewards of Protective Row Covers
John Bell - Elmwood Stock Farm; Maggie Dungan - Salad Days Farm; Keith McKenzie - Knob Hill Farm; Sharon Stone - Two Suns Farm; David Gonthier, Katie Fiske and Elaine Losekamp - University of Kentucky
What's the Scoop on Poop? Manure Characteristics and Application RatesTammy Barnes - National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT); Randy Smallwood - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Using the Power of Visual Appeal to Attract CustomersChelsea Barbour - High Five Farm; Kayla Carey - Kentucky Flower Market; Brett Wolff - University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification
How to Farm ForeverJoseph Monroe - Valley Spirit Farm; David Robb - Eden Prairie Farm
Farmer Mentorships for Organic TransitionKenya Abraham - OAK; Jesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics; Farmers (TBD); Holly Chiantaretto - Hallow Springs Farm; Evelenia Mitchell - Mitchell Family Farm and PercyAnnie
Practical Pollinator Support for Your FarmAlexis Gauger - University of Kentucky
Farmer Forum: Building Community and Collective Resources for Kentucky Organic Farmers (no recording)
Drought Resistance and International Crops in the Age of Climate CrisisMateo Barnett - Common Earth Gardens; Om Ha - Mindat Community Garden of Louisville
Principles of Contour Lines AgroforestryThomas Leonard - Contour Lines
Thank you for a fantastic 2025 conference! From January 23-25, 2025, OAK’s 14th Annual Organic Farming Conference, Grounded in Organics: From Soil to Market, returned for the third year to the KSU Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort, KY. Hundreds of farmers and local food system professionals participated in workshops and educational sessions and connected with inspiring speakers, current research, peer farmers and regional suppliers.
Thank you to the sponsors, partners and funders of OAK's 14th Annual Farming Conference.
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