LEXINGTON, Ky. — More than 300 farmers, academics, government agencies, businesses and consumers from Kentucky and beyond will gather in Lexington to share production strategies intended to reduce agricultural inputs, improve soil health, and expand market opportunities throughout Kentucky. The two-day event is the 8th annual conference of the Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK), a statewide nonprofit which supports farmers through field days, one-on-one support, and educational programming.
An opportunity to tour one of three Kentucky farms will begin the event, with a focus on hemp, pastured poultry, or Lean farming in diversified vegetable production. The conference continues Friday afternoon with six intensive short courses, including grass-fed beef production, farm finances, Lean farm principles, pastured poultry, growing mushrooms, and organic hemp. The evening’s offerings include a rare and rich chance to hear Kentucky farmer and author Wendell Berry in conversation with two of his friends and colleagues in the agrarian food movement – David Kline and Wes Jackson, an organic-food reception, and a showing of the film Living Soil.
Additionally, Saturday programing includes more than 25 sessions on diverse topics such as row crop production, pasture-raised livestock and forage, soil health management, weed management, farming rules and regulations, success in marketing, and more. Tradd Cotter, a microbiologist, mycologist, and author, will keynote the event. The compelling “meet the buyers” session is scheduled again this year, with buyers of everything from grain to produce. In addition to these educational offerings, attendees can learn from dozens of exhibitors and enjoy an organic lunch and snacks. Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities are available: visit https://www.oak-ky.org/sponsor-information.
“It is rewarding to be part of a sustainable food-farming community that is willing to openly share ideas and information,” said Mac Stone, organic farmer and OAK’s Board Chair. “OAK Conference is a way to share lessons learned across the state and beyond, so we can help each other be better farmers.”
The conference will be held at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center North, 1950 Newtown Pike in Lexington. Registration cost is $135 for the entire conference for OAK members if they register before January 15th. Single day rates are available, as are student scholarships. Register here: https://www.oak-ky.org/2019-conference-overview. For more information, visit oak-ky.org or contact Brooke Gentile at (502) 219-7378 or brookke@oak-ky.org.
The Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) is a member-based organization promoting organic production and consumption in Kentucky as part of a food and farming system that strengthens communities by being economically viable and environmentally sound. Membership is open to anyone interested in organic agriculture. For more information, visit oak-ky.org.
Click the link for a flyer: OAKConf19
— Organic Association of Kentucky
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