OAK 2025 Conference Recordings

In 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 Maintenance

Joel 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 Forests

Brett 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 Squash

Jeff Poppen - Long Hungry Creek Farm
 

Mini-Mastermind for Experienced Growers (no recording)

Ellen Polishuk - Plant to Profit; Sarah Geurkink - OAK

 

 

Opening Session: Organic Farmer Panel

Larry 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 Farms

Greg 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 Research

Brian Geier - Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF); Maggie Dungan - Salad Days Farm

 

Grazing the Way Towards Soil and Water Conservation

Amanda Gumbert - University of Kentucky; Cody Rakes - Loretto Motherhouse Farm

  

Resource Roundtable: Organic Horticulture in Kentucky

Ric 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 Product

Jesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics

 

Farmer Roundtable: Rotational Grazing

DeeAnn 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 Know

Tom "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 Till

Ellen Polishuk - Plant to Profit

 

Farmer Hacks: Innovations Across Kentucky

Jacqueline Berry - Flourishing Herbs Farm; Dusty Gossett - Gossett Farms; Ken Marks - Floyd's View Farm; Jackson Rolett - Apostles Garden

 

Federal Policy and Your Farm

Kimmie Ishmael and Laurie White - Community Farm Alliance

 

Dive into UK's CSA Handbook: Utilizing and Developing Crop Production Resources

Kristi Durbin - University of Kentucky Organic Farming Unit; Paul Merryweather - Ashbourne Farms

 

 

Keynote: Improving Small Farm Success with Organic Farming, Soil Health And Technology

Jesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics  

 

Breaking Down Barriers to Biochar Adoption

Laura Freeman - Mt. Folly Farm; Aysha Tapp Ross - American Farmland Trust

 

Onions Make the Meal: Growing Onions Organically

Jeff Poppen - Long Hungry Creek Farm

 

How to Conduct Research on the Farm

Fatima 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 Rates

Tammy Barnes - National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT); Randy Smallwood - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

 

Using the Power of Visual Appeal to Attract Customers 

Chelsea Barbour - High Five Farm; Kayla Carey - Kentucky Flower Market; Brett Wolff - University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification

 

How to Farm Forever

Joseph Monroe - Valley Spirit Farm; David Robb - Eden Prairie Farm

 

Farmer Mentorships for Organic Transition

Kenya 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 Farm

Alexis 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 Crisis

Mateo Barnett - Common Earth Gardens; Om Ha - Mindat Community Garden of Louisville

 

Principles of Contour Lines Agroforestry

Thomas 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.