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OAK 2024 CONFERENCE AGENDA
The 13th Annual OAK Conference Adopting Practices, Increasing Resilience, and Strengthening Systems agenda with session titles and speaker details is below. You can also choose the Agenda-at-a-Glance to plan your time at conference. The 2024 Conference offers Pre-Conference workshops on January 25, followed by two full days of sessions on Friday January 26 and Saturday January 27. We look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Five Steps to Your Regenerative Resilience Plan: A Workshop for Farmers (9:00am - 12:30pm ET)
Laura Lengnick - Cultivating Resilience / Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming
**This workshop is the first event of a five-part series.** For many farmers, changing weather patterns make existing farm management challenges more difficult, and create new ones. In this workshop, participants will learn more about reducing their farms' risks and capturing new opportunities associated with changing weather patterns to build resilience in their farming systems and farm businesses. This workshop, part of a five-part series, will guide participants through the five steps of creating a regenerative whole farm resilience plan.
Participants will create a plan by exploring how climate change is present on their farms, what "best fit" adaptation options exist for their operations, how to choose the best adaptations for their farms and what resources are available to help them design and implement those options. Participants will build a climate resilience plan that is practical, effective and tailored to their farm and family goals. With Laura Lengnick and a community of Kentucky farmers from small and mid-scale diversified operations, participants will gain adaptation resources from farmer case studies, short lessons, small and large group discussions and independent activities thinking about their unique farm operations.
**This workshop is the first event of a five-part series, "Five Steps to Your Regenerative Resilience Plan: A Workshop for Farmers." Part two, "Adaptation Options for Diversified Organic Farmers," is on the Saturday Conference agenda from 1:15–2:45 p.m. The remaining sessions are at Noon (Eastern Time) of February 1 (2 hours), February 15 (2 hours), and February 29 (1.5 hours). Participants must attend all five workshops and spend about 20 hours outside workshop meetings to complete their farm's regenerative climate resilience plan. Participation is limited. Farms are encouraged (but not required) to register two participants.**
No-Till Cover Cropping Strategies on a Small to Medium Scale (9:00am - 12:30pm ET)
 Jesse Frost - Rough Draft Farmstead; Susana Lein - Salamander Springs Farm; Joel Dufour - Earth Tools; Shawn Lucas - Kentucky State University
Cover cropping has various benefits, from soil retention to nutrient management. However, cover crops have nuances and complications, especially in a no-till system where terminating the cover crop is key. In this session, Susana Lein of Salamander Springs and Jesse Frost of Rough Draft Farmstead will discuss how they have evolved and improved their use of cover crops for various purposes and crop rotations throughout the years on two different farms. Shawn Lucas and Joel Dufour will broaden the suite of tools on demonstration. Participants will learn tools and techniques for seeding, managing and terminating cover crops using a mixture of classroom description, in-the-field demonstrations and hands-on discovery. This workshop is for participants just getting into cover cropping or hoping to fine-tune their cover crop approach. Join this session to be prepared for cover crop success in the 2024 season.
**This workshop will include time outdoors for field demonstration and observation. Prepare for the weather and for periods of walking and standing.*
Introduction to Seed Growing in the Southeast (9:00am - 12:30pm ET)
 Chris Smith - Utopian Seed Project
This pre-conference workshop aims to build a deeper understanding of seed growing in the Southeast and is structured to address the primary concerns and barriers around saving seeds as a farmer. Participants will learn that some common opinions are urban myths, some challenges are easily overcome, and some aspects of growing seeds in the Southeast are just downright hard! Through farmer case studies, personal experiences, and tried and tested methods, this workshop will explore two on-farm seed-saving paths farmers can take -- contract growing (for seed companies) and seed saving (for personal use) -- and give participants an understanding of how to incorporate on-farm seed saving into their operation. This workshop offers small seed-cleaning demos and show-and-tell with low-tech seed-cleaning equipment. Participants will learn about contracts and working with seed companies, practical on-farm seed saving, the importance of seed saving and cultural preservation, as well as knowledge, information, and stories of seed growing and seed saving from different regions around the country. At the end of this workshop, participants will feel informed and inspired to consider saving seeds on their farm!
High Tunnel Production - The Science and Practice of Off-Season Organic Production (*Off-Site*) (1:30 - 5:00pm ET)
Tony Silvernail - Beyond the Bridge Farm; Joel Dufour - Earth Tools; Krista Jacobsen - University of Kentucky; Nathan Lind - National Resources Conservation Services; Shawn Lucas - Kentucky State University
High tunnel structures extend the crop production season and winter growing opportunities for Kentucky farmers while reducing common pest and disease pressures. These advantages have led to the installation of more than 1,500 structures across the state since 2010. Kentucky farmers and researchers leading this workshop have a wealth of knowledge about the best practices and efficiencies for these covered structures in organic production systems. This workshop will explore Beyond the Bridge Organic Farm's winter production in four high tunnels. Participants will:
- Explore the science of soil nutrition in a certified organic covered environment with Shawn Lucas
- Discuss structural, technical and financial assistance opportunities for tunnels with Nathan Lind
- Observe production practices of high tunnel management: flipping beds, seeding, rotations and crop varieties with Tony Silvernail
- Investigate options and view demonstrations of the applications, ergonomics and proper use/care of walk-behind tractors and handheld gardening tools with Joel Dufour
- Examine cover crops in a high tunnel rotation for soil health and as a tool for managing insect and disease pressure with Krista Jacobsen.
*This fully outdoor tour requires a 12-minute drive to Bridgeport. Carpooling will be encouraged/facilitated.*
Foundations of Regenerative Grazing Ecosystem Function and the Tool of Livestock (1:30 - 5:00pm ET)
 J. Dylan Kennedy - Ketelwood; Adam Jones - USDA NRCS; Michael Wilson - Kentucky State University; Organic Association of Kentucky staff
Modern regenerative grazing requires knowledge of ecosystem function and holistic management tools to be profitable in an organic context. Through presentation, facilitated discussions, and in-field practicum, this workshop explores using livestock as a management tool and how ecosystem function relates to a successful grazing business. Participants will learn how to evaluate ecosystem function and health on a landscape based on its water and mineral cycles, community dynamics, and energy flow and have the opportunity to assess ecosystem processes on a field walk within Kentucky State University's cattle pastures. They will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the tools available to land managers and how these tools can be used to meet the ecological, economic and social needs of land stewards managing viable grazing operations. This workshop will also share a suite of resources farmers can access to improve their grazing and livestock management practices. This workshop will include walking over hilly terrain to access the pastures.
*This workshop will include time outdoors for field demonstration and observation. Prepare for the weather and for periods of walking, standing on hilly terrain.*
Want to Grow Fruit? Small Fruits for Kentucky (1:30 - 5:00pm ET)
 Blake Cothron - Peaceful Heritage Nursery
Kentucky farmers continue to show a strong interest in small fruit production and building their practical understanding of growing small fruits and berries successfully and profitably to meet consumer demand. This workshop will dive into Kentucky-oriented strategies, organic pest and disease management, and considerations for Kentucky’s challenging fruit-growing climate. Participants will learn the species and varieties that have the best success rates and marketability within a wide range of small fruits: blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, honeyberry, gooseberry, elderberry, black currant, passionflower, grapes, Aronia and cold hardy figs. Through demonstrations and a hands-on opportunity to start an elderberry cutting, participants will leave with both the knowledge and plant material to begin their own fruit-growing endeavor. This workshop will equip participants with the skills to become organic fruit producers.
Raising Goats in Kentucky (1:30 - 5:00pm ET)
 Von Barnes - Kentuckiana Backyard Farms; Emily Clement - Jefferson County Public Schools; Fatima Jackson - Action Jackson Farms; Holly Robinson - Hallow Springs Farm; McKinley Stonewall - Kentucky State University
Designed for those interested in raising goats with questions about how to get started and those who have goats and want dynamic guidance, this workshop offers a range of expertise from veterinary experience to small farm experience in rural and urban goat management. Presenters will share steps on getting started in the business of goats, how to maintain a healthy and happy herd and how to make a profit off of a herd. Through demonstrations with the Kentucky State University goat herd and classroom knowledge-sharing, this workshop covers pasture health, herd protection and the purchasing and selling of flocks. This workshop offers a brief overview of goat health through life stages and production needs, recognizing common illnesses, implementing preventative health measures and basic record keeping to ensure a happy and robust herd. Presenters will discuss the goat breeds best suited for various settings, how to set up fencing and handling facilities, what to expect from a herd throughout the season, how to maintain herd health and considerations from birth to breeding to the end of a goat’s life cycle. Participants will learn hands-on skills from hoof trimming to parasite checks and disease monitoring and will leave this workshop prepared for improved success as a goat herder in Kentucky.
*This workshop will include time outdoors for field demonstration and observation. Prepare for the weather and for periods of walking and standing.*
Are Tomatoes Worth It?!? Evaluating Profitability in High Tunnels, Crop by Crop (9:00 - 10:30am ET)
Liz Graznak - Happy Hollow Farm
What makes a crop worth growing? As any farmer can attest, some crops are reliable, easily managed profit centers, while others take a lot of time and attention for low profit. Every farmer has a crop they really do not like to grow. While tools like enterprise budgets provide helpful answers, they may not present the whole picture of a crop’s value. This session will explore farmer Liz Graznak's decision framework for evaluating what she can grow, what makes money for her farm and what she really wants to grow.
Exploring Organic Small Grain Production in Kentucky (9:00 - 10:30am ET)
Michelle Ajamian - Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative / Shagbark Mill; Chelsea Askew - Johnnie Dew Farm; John Bell - Elmwood Stock Farm; Lauren Brzozowski - University of Kentucky
For farmers currently growing small grains in Kentucky or interested in learning more about the growing small-grain industry, this not-to-miss session will provide an overview of organic small-grain production and opportunities in the state and region. Presenters will highlight small-grain production for food and feed, and facilitate a round-table discussion about opportunities and barriers to expanding organic small-grain production on Kentucky farms. Join the conversation to learn the challenges and market potential, current research in Kentucky and the region and peer network possibilities for expanding small grain production on Kentucky farms.
Growing Community Through Seeds: Stories of Grassroots Organizing & Growing Shared Resources (9:00 - 10:30am ET)
Florentina Rodriguez - Flora Seeds
Structural change is needed to address seed systems issues in the U.S., such as corporate consolidation, unjust practices, and biodiversity loss. For people and communities impacted by these issues, strategies for grassroots organizing and growing shared resources can fill gaps in meeting needs and create free spaces to nurture change, development, and economic empowerment. In this workshop, Community Seed Educator Florentina Rodriguez will share her experiences with rural and urban farmers/growers, helping seed-based organizations adopt fair practices and building collective resources like seed libraries and community garden networks to center and preserve forms of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), including methods developed by long-standing historical communities through Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous Local Knowledge (ILK).
KEYNOTE: Cultivating Community, Wellness and Purpose Through Food and Farming (10:45 - 12:00pm ET)
 Ardis and Henry Crews - Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO)
When a farmer plants a seed its future growth is unknown and its full potential can only unfold when nurtured. When Ardis and Henry Crews started a community garden in 2014, they planted seeds with a modest vision of personal and community health. The garden flourished into a certified organic micro-market farm, and the neighborhood became an agri-hood. A decade later, those early seeds of intention have expanded into a multi-county development initiative that serves its rural community with affordable healthy food, nutrition education, economic development and health services. In this keynote presentation, Ardis and Henry will share their inspiring story of growing with purpose: tackling critical issues within their community, building farmer networks and partnerships to serve the community's most vulnerable members and revitalizing local economies with farming as the foundation.
Saving and Savoring Traditional Southern Crops (1:15 - 2:45pm ET)
Chris Smith - Utopian Seed Project
The Utopian Seed Project has taken a deep dive into the varietal diversity and crop potential of many traditional southern vegetables. This session uses okra and collards to explore crop trialing, seed saving, culinary evaluations, regional and community seed work, climate adaptation and crop development. The session showcases the importance of regional seed sovereignty and seed saving as a simple and accessible technology for climate resilience that all gardeners and farmers can use. Participants will go on an inspiring journey into the world of okra and collards and apply lessons from this session to any crop at any scale.
Food Insecurity and Access in Kentucky: Panel Discussion (1:15 - 2:45pm ET)
LaToya Drake - University of Kentucky; Jann Knappage - University of Kentucky; Taylor Ryan - Change Today Change Tomorrow; Martin Richards - Community Farm Alliance; Sharon Stone - Two Suns Farm / Woodhill International Market; Rae Strobel - Barr Farms
Hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians live with food insecurity, from the urban centers to the rural corners. Join this conversation with food system professionals working in Kentucky's communities to discuss broadening access and building systems that support more sustainable and equitable distribution of fresh foods. This session will explore how farmers can help support these efforts and play an active role in the solutions to the ongoing epidemic of food insecurity.
Using Ecological Practices and Appalachian Ingenuity to Grow Year-round in a Challenging Environment (1:15 - 2:45pm ET)
Sara Martin - Sustainabillies
Join this session to learn how a small market farm expanded its production by growing in a non-traditional setting and embracing year-round growing. This session will explore season extension in a challenging climate--3,600 feet of elevation in a mountain cove--through intentional crop selection, low tunnels, high tunnels and greenhouses. Participants will learn about the victories and failures of attempting to work with natural systems in the face of extreme temperatures and weather on uneven ground. Participants will leave this session with the knowledge to increase the productivity and profitability of their farm and build a more secure community food system using creative production methods.
Introduction to Working with Livestock Guardian Dogs (3:00 - 4:00pm ET)
Bree Pearsall - Rootbound Farm
Livestock guardian dogs can be critical to raising livestock and protecting them from predators. Still, these dogs require care and knowledge to make them successful on the farm. This is an introductory-level session about breeds of dogs, management, training and care for livestock working dogs. Participants will learn whether livestock guardian dogs are suitable for their farm and how to integrate them successfully.
Digging into Sustainability Data with Farmers: Lessons from the Field for Incentivizing Climate-Smart Practices (3:00 - 4:00pm ET)
Annie Woods - Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK); Robin Verson - Hill and Hollow Farm / OAK
In 2023, over 20 OAK member farms trialed an innovative farm sustainability assessment tool built off the Sustainable Food Trust's Global Farm Metric framework and adapted for use on Kentucky farms. This farmer-driven tool collects diverse farm data to tell a holistic story about the tradeoffs in a farm’s journey toward sustainable outcomes in soil health, economic viability, energy consumption, community involvement and more. This session will take a deep dive into the lessons learned from farm trials and will highlight farmers' unique experiences with the tool and measuring their on-farm sustainability. Join this session to learn how this tool can help farmers access incentive payments to improve on-farm resilience and soil health through organic or conservation practices that qualify as "climate-smart" practices through new OAK programming in 2024.
Practical Climate-Risk Management (3:00 - 4:00pm ET)
Laura Lengnick - Cultivating Resilience / Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming
Changing weather patterns create a new kind of agricultural risk - called climate risk - that already is far beyond the weather-related challenges faced by previous generations of farmers and ranchers. This means that today’s farmers will need to add some new tools to their risk management toolbox that past generations of farmers did not need to be successful. Participants will learn how to use adaptive whole farm planning to cultivate the adaptability of their land, the people who care for it, and the communities they depend on so that their farm can thrive no matter the weather, both now and into the future.
It Takes a Village: Resources for Farms and Farmers (4:15 - 5:30pm ET)
Partner Organizations
Farmers, take advantage of this session to learn more about production programs and services designed specifically for you! Engage with service providers about your specific questions and needs. This session will cover farm-focused education and grant opportunities, technical assistance for implementing conservation practices and nutrient/water quality management plans, ag-centric weather forecasting, improving food access for limited-resource Kentucky customers and protecting against the loss of farm revenue.
Finding the Funding That Fits: A Forum for Farmers (4:15 - 5:30pm ET)
Partner Organizations
Farmers, take advantage of this session to learn more about funding and finance opportunities designed specifically for you! Engage with the service providers about you specific questions and needs. This session will cover farm business planning, securing funding opportunities, grants for farm infrastructure and marketing, financial and credit offerings through a farm cooperative agency, small business funding and tax credits, opportunities to sell local foods at retail-market value and emerging funding for food system resilience throughout Kentucky.
Over The Fence Rails: Farmer-to-Farmer Skillshare (4:15 - 5:30pm ET)
Farmers
Farmers, join this session to learn how your peers are saving time and resources by getting creative with on-farm hacks and low-cost innovations to improve systems and practices, including demos of Coolbot low-cost refrigeration systems, DIY poultry farming tools and structures and more to come.
Functional Movement "Stretch Breaks" (Multiple Times)
Monet Proctor - Flow with Mo; Laurie Young, Farmer/Yoga Instructor
This standing- or chair-based stretch break prioritizes the sustained well-being of our farming community. Acknowledging the tendency of farmers to sometimes focus on the health of the farm more than their personal health, this session will guide participants through everyday accessible movements to keep them grounded and functioning optimally -- positively impacting farmer wellness and farm function. No experience is necessary; all are welcome!
Friday Evening Social (5:30 - 7:30 pm ET)
Join OAK staff and fellow conference attendees for a casual evening of food, drinks and socializing! Registrants receive one free drink ticket, and vendors will have food and drinks for sale on the patio. Optional indoor activities include an authors’ corner and get-to-know-you BINGO.
KEYNOTE: Organic Farmer Panel: Adopting Practices, Increasing Resilience and Strengthening Systems in Our Organic Farming Community (9:00 - 10:30am ET)
WB and Lynn Brown - Brown's Place Farm; Liz Graznak - Happy Hollow Farm; Anna Raines - Rains and Sun Hilltop Farm; Mac Stone - Elmwood Stock Farm
Moderator: Bree Pearsall - Rootbound Farm
Since the National Organic Program (NOP) began in 1990, much has changed in the regulations, standards and markets for certified organic farms. This panel of organic farmers, representing five Kentucky and regional farms, will highlight their experiences with the trends and the changes in consumers, policies, practices and food systems throughout their decades of farming. Building on their farms’ journeys and audience interests, this keynote conversation will share past and current realities in organic agriculture and explore the organic farming community’s future, as we build a growing movement together.
Silvopasture Opportunities and Challenges For Kentucky Farmers (10:45 - 11:45am ET)
Sid Brantly - 3-Cross Farms; Douglas Hines - Hines Farm
This session highlights both the historical and modern concepts of grazed woodland, silvopasture and simply turning livestock out into the woods. After a brief discussion of the expected outcomes of each practice, Bath County farmer, Sid Brantly, will propose opportunities and unique challenges of Kentucky silvopasturing. Bourbon County farmer, Douglas Hines, will relate his observations and experiences in incorporating trees into his cattle pasture and hay fields over the past three decades. Douglas will discuss the potential benefits of combining trees and livestock, the difficulties of adding trees to pastures and review the resources, tools and tree species needed for successful implementation.
Organic Transition: Resources for Success (10:45 - 11:45am ET)
Kenya Abraham - Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK); Brooke Gentile - OAK ; Randy Smallwood - National Resources Conservation Services; Kentucky Farmers TBD
With demand for certified organic foods growing faster than certified organic acreage, new and expanded programs and partnerships are now available to support success as more farms transition operations and pursue organic certification. This panel conversation includes insights from OAK staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) and farmers, and is for those interested in learning about a new Organic Farmer Mentorship program, accessing organic transition technical assistance and hearing about financial resources available for farmers in Kentucky through NRCS, including a new Organic Management practice standard. Organic transition and certification questions will be answered by the panel. This session is supported by Midwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
Organic Strawberries: Propagation to Market (10:45 - 11:45am ET)
Bryce Baumann - Lazy Eight Stock Farm
Strawberries are known for being difficult to grow commercially, especially using organic practices. Bryce Baumann from Lazy Eight Stock Farm draws on 15 years of experience in certified organic strawberry production. This workshop shares all the details about how and why he grows his own strawberry transplants from tips. Join this session to learn about bed preparation, soil fertility, cultivars, planting, pest and disease management and markets for certified organic strawberries. Participants will walk away with the practical knowledge to propagate, grow and sell certified organic strawberries.
Adaptation Options for Diversified Organic Farmers (1:15 - 2:45pm ET)
Laura Lengnick - Cultivating Resilience / Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming
Farmers in Kentucky and beyond say that the changing weather patterns caused by climate change are making it more difficult and expensive to farm. These damaging changes in weather have increased over the last two decades and are expected to worsen in the coming years. Some of the most effective ways to reduce weather-related disruptions to farm operations are familiar to organic farmers who use climate resilient practices like enhancing soil health, increasing biodiversity and promoting on-farm ecosystem services such as pest suppression, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Participants will learn how some of America’s best organic farmers are reducing climate risks and cultivating the climate resilience of their farms. This session is required for farmers taking the "Five Steps to Regenerative Climate Resilience Workshop" five-part series.
Addressing Plastics in Organics (1:15 - 2:45pm ET)
Ben Abell - Rootbound Farm; John Bell - Elmwood Stock Farm; David Gonthier - University of Kentucky; Amber Sciligo - The Organic Center; Alejandra Warren - Plastics Free Future
Organic farmers rely on plastic as an important tool to help manage weeds and insect pests, control soil moisture and temperature and expand the growing season, among other functions. This session will highlight the importance of reducing plastic in organic production with a presentation describing plastic’s life cycle from production to disposal and the many ways plastic and its components escape and contaminate the environment and our bodies. This session will discuss how plastic is currently used and potential non-plastic alternatives. Farmers will also share stories of their challenges and successes in reducing plastic in their operations.
The Black Farmer Blight and Planting Seeds of Solutions (1:15 - 2:45pm ET)
Michael Carter Jr - The Carter Farms / Africulture
This session will tell the story of the historical and present-day Black farmer experience from a Nigerian spinach (celosia) seed perspective. The session will look at the financial, emotional, environmental and social costs resulting from systemic racism; conventional agricultural practices, policies, laws and acts and social traditions, cultural norms and values beyond racial discrimination. Michael Carter Jr. will quantify these costs through academic research and show how they amount to a significant tax that puts Black farmers (farmers of African descent) at least two to four generations behind when it comes to achieving farm viability. The session will explore steps that farm professionals can take within their own organizational structures, and in the design and delivery of programs, policies and practices that serve Black farmers and the communities they represent. The session will analyze the history and overlying culture - the “soil and environment” - share what “amendments and practices” need to be applied to the soil and provide “seeds for planting” in this soil once these practices have been administered. This will be a racial “soil test/assessment” and will share of regenerative, reparative practices that can be adopted to create a climate change in our agricultural paradigm.
Alley Cropping for Climate Resiliency, Farm Diversification, and Cropping System Services: The ‘What’ and The ‘Why’ (3:00 - 4:00pm ET)
David Butler - University of Tennessee; Jody Thompson - Kentucky State University
Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice where agricultural or horticultural crops are grown in the alleyways between widely spaced rows of woody plants. Alley cropping can diversify farm income, increase crop production, enhance nutrient cycling, improve landscape aesthetics, enhance wildlife and pollinator habitat, and provide crop protection and conservation benefits. Alley cropping may also offer a viable solution to mitigate crop stress and improve the sustainability of organic crop production amid climate extremes in the Southeast. Participants will learn about the history and basics of alley cropping, how research projects in Kentucky and Tennessee are exploring agroforestry's on-farm use and benefits to the region and whether alley cropping could be a helpful practice for their farm. This session is part one of a two-part series and is followed by a panel discussion with farmers.
From Soil to Fork: The Importance of Microbes in Agriculture (3:00 - 4:00pm ET)
Kendall Corbin - University of Kentucky; Carlos Rodriguez Lopez - University of Kentucky; Shawn Lucas - Kentucky State University; Mark Williams - University of Kentucky
One of the core principles of organic farming is “feed the soil, let the soil feed the plants.” A central tenet of this approach is that organic practices positively impact soil microbes, and they, in turn, directly and indirectly affect plant health. This session will present a holistic overview of how the soil microbiome can be nurtured through farming practices, how microbes interact with plants to allow them to adapt to their environments and how soil microbes can enter plants and ultimately influence human health. Three researchers from the University of Kentucky and one from Kentucky State University will present cutting-edge information on what is currently known about the soil microbiome to human health spectrum.
Navigating Labor Challenges and Opportunities on a Small-Scale, Diversified Vegetable Farm (3:00 - 4:00pm ET)
Liz Graznak - Happy Hollow Farm
Farming often requires many hands to share the workload during the harvest season, yet finding and keeping good crew members can be one of the most challenging aspects of running the business. Liz Graznak shares her experiences as an employer for the last 13 years on her small-scale, diversified vegetable farm, overseeing apprentices, volunteers, CSA members, WWOOFers, numerous employees and a new crew of H-2A Visa workers. Hear Liz's journey and lessons learned on being a good boss, including organizational strategies, the importance of setting clear goals and expectations and developing the best team possible for her expanding farm business.
Agrivoltaic: Solar Grazing with a Regenerative Approach (4:15 - 5:15pm ET)
J Michael Moore - Shaker Village
As industrial-scale solar continues to grow across the Commonwealth, a new opportunity is on the horizon in the form of agrivoltaic systems that blend with the expanding renewable energy industry. Over the past four years, Shaker Village has pioneered the path forward using sheep to manage native and non-native vegetation at one of Kentucky's largest solar farms. This session will look at the operations of the first regenerative solar grazing project in the state of Kentucky and its potential moving forward. Participants will walk away with an understanding of agrivoltaic’s fit for their farms.
Alley Cropping for Climate Resiliency, Farm Diversification, and Crop Health: The “Why’ and The ‘How’ (4:15 - 5:15pm ET)
David Butler - University of Tennessee; Taylor Malone - Fauna Forest Farm; Oakes Routt - Grandview Farm; Brian Shobe - Echo Hallow Farm; Jody Thompson - Kentucky State University
Alley cropping combines annual and perennial crops to yield multiple products and profits at different times, allowing a farmer to use available space, time and resources more effectively. Nearly limitless planting combinations for alley cropping systems enable farmers to design and install those that best serve their land and operation. This session will highlight three farms’ beginning experiences with alley cropping design, purpose, and installation. The three alley cropping combinations include elderberries, cut flowers, and native seed production; elderberries and vegetable production; and hazelnuts and mixed grains for poultry feed production. This farmer panel is the second part of a two-part series on alley cropping.
Forest Farming 101 (4:15 - 5:15pm ET)
Andrea Miller - Rural Action; Clint Quarles - Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Interested in producing non-timber forest products (NTFPs) but unsure where to start? This session is for beginners who are interested in producing NTFPs, which are products that come from the forest that have a commercial value but are not timber. Commonly produced NTFPs include ginseng, goldenseal, log-grown mushrooms, ramps, pawpaws, maple syrup and more. The session will cover the basics of forest farming, from site selection to current market trends and opportunities for market access. Participants will also learn of Kentucky's updated ginseng regulations.
Functional Movement "Stretch Breaks" (Multiple Times)
Monet Proctor - Flow with Mo; Laurie Young, Farmer/Yoga Instructor
This standing- or chair-based stretch break prioritizes the sustained well-being of our farming community. Acknowledging the tendency of farmers to sometimes focus on the health of the farm more than their personal health, this session will guide participants through everyday accessible movements to keep them grounded and functioning optimally -- positively impacting farmer wellness and farm function. No experience is necessary; all are welcome!
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