Contact Us

SOAR

  • Home
  • The Plan
    • Broadband and Last Mile
    • Digital Equity
    • EKY Jobs
    • Healthy Communities
    • Regional Prosperity
    • Tourism
  • Funding Opportunities
  • SOAR Innovation
    • Accelerator Program
    • CORI Mentor Network
    • Our Portfolio
  • Events
    • 2023 Events
    • Grant Workshops
    • Appalachian Nursing Academy
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • eBooks
    • About Us
    • Work with Us
    • Community Resources
  • Give

Third annual Eastern Ky Farmer’s Conference to be held Feb 22-23 in Jackson

Posted on 4 years ago


ek farm.jpg

JACKSON, KY (Dec. 17, 2018) –Please join the Community Farm Alliance (CFA), Grow Appalachia, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD), the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP), Kentucky State University (KSU), the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the University of Kentucky for the third annual Eastern Kentucky Farmer Conference (EKFC) held on February 22-23, 2019. The conference will have a new host: The University of Kentucky’s Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS) in Jackson, Kentucky.  

The conference will serve as a networking event for Eastern Kentucky farmers, bringing resources to the region to help farmers grow in their production practices. The conference is designed to improve and adapt each year to better suit the farmers and participants in the region. Participating sponsors have used survey data to adjust conference topics, select speakers and create a conference that gives one something special to take home – relationships, tools, resources and more!

In 2018, the two day conference hosted more than 60 attendees from across the state including more than nine counties representing farmers, universities, non-profits, buyers and agricultural product suppliers. Topics ranged from vegetable production, high tunnel production, small ruminant livestock, maple syrup production, organics and digital marketing.

When asked what she enjoyed most about the 2018 conference, Lori Gearheart, who homesteads with her family in Floyd County, said, “I enjoyed the different tracks in the workshops. The presenters seemed knowledgeable and passionate about their presentations. Gary and I split up and followed different tracks to get the most out of them. He liked the organizations and all the information they were able to offer in the big room. He wasn’t familiar with everything the organizations have to offer, so this was great.” 


pexels-photo-1084540.jpeg

Chris Mackenzie with Grow Appalachia attended his first EKFC in 2018 and had this to say as a technical support provider, “I appreciated how practical and applicable the information sessions were, and how well they related to farm experiences in eastern Kentucky. Farming in Eastern Kentucky presents unique challenges, and I feel farmers in this region of the state are often underserved and overlooked when it comes to agricultural resources and education. This conference changes all that and brings otherwise isolated pockets of farmers together to share their experiences and learn from each other as well as from ag professionals who bring new perspectives.”

The upcoming 2019 conference will host topics that include ‘Orchards in the Mountains’, ‘Practical Plasticulture’, ‘Selling Local Meat’, ‘The Why and How of Financials’, ‘Tapping into Maple’ and more. Friday night will feature traditional music by Dr. Ron Penn. Join us Friday night for an evening of music by Dr. Ron Pen and a square dance called by Randy Williams.

Registration is open until Friday, February 8, 2019 and can be found online at https://cfaky.org/2019-ekfc/. If you prefer to register over the phone, please contact Camille at (859) 756-6378. Registration includes meals for both days, featuring products sourced from local farmers and producers in eastern Kentucky.

Day-of registrations are also available via cash or check. Any cancellations received after Friday, February 8 will not be eligible for a refund. For lodging, please contact the Jackson Inn at (606) 666-7551 for the EKFC group rate.

Featured



Gov. Beshear Announces 12 Communities Selected for More Than $692,000 to Improve Recreational Trails Across Kentucky


Mar 9, 2021

Gov. Beshear Announces 12 Communities Selected for More Than $692,000 to Improve Recreational Trails Across Kentucky


Mar 9, 2021


Mar 9, 2021


SOAR and Partners to Host Appalachia Health Provider Diabetes Education Virtual Event


Mar 3, 2021

SOAR and Partners to Host Appalachia Health Provider Diabetes Education Virtual Event


Mar 3, 2021


Mar 3, 2021


Cumberlands’ Nutrition Courses Receive National Accreditation


Jan 12, 2021

Cumberlands’ Nutrition Courses Receive National Accreditation


Jan 12, 2021


Jan 12, 2021


PMC Announces Telethon to Raise Money to Fund Autism Center Expansion


Jan 12, 2021

PMC Announces Telethon to Raise Money to Fund Autism Center Expansion


Jan 12, 2021


Jan 12, 2021


Cumberlands Adding New Online Master’s in Cyber-Engineering


Jan 5, 2021

Cumberlands Adding New Online Master’s in Cyber-Engineering


Jan 5, 2021


Jan 5, 2021


Top 10 Appalachia Kentucky Businesses to Watch in 2021


Dec 30, 2020

Top 10 Appalachia Kentucky Businesses to Watch in 2021


Dec 30, 2020


Dec 30, 2020


UK Alum's $6 Million Gift Will Pave Path for Future Engineers From Eastern Kentucky


Dec 21, 2020

UK Alum’s $6 Million Gift Will Pave Path for Future Engineers From Eastern Kentucky


Dec 21, 2020


Dec 21, 2020


Kentucky Steam to Host Santa Drive Through Event in Irvine this Sunday


Dec 21, 2020

Kentucky Steam to Host Santa Drive Through Event in Irvine this Sunday


Dec 21, 2020


Dec 21, 2020


SOAR Launches CO.STARTERS Program for Women Founders


Dec 9, 2020

SOAR Launches CO.STARTERS Program for Women Founders


Dec 9, 2020


Dec 9, 2020


AppHarvest Plants First Tomato Crop with Harvest Expected in Grocery Stores Early Next Year


Nov 19, 2020

AppHarvest Plants First Tomato Crop with Harvest Expected in Grocery Stores Early Next Year


Nov 19, 2020


Nov 19, 2020

Previous Post
From GED to Bachelor’s degree: Kelli Jo Kirk’s story
Next Post
Harlan County businessman shares story of success

SOAR

Resources

  • Home
  • The Plan
  • Funding Opportunities
  • SOAR Innovation
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Contact Us

Contacts

info@soar-ky.org
205-606-0282
137 Main Street, Ste. 300 Pikeville, KY 41501, United States
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube

Photos Courtesy of Cris Ritchie Photography

© 2023 Shaping Our Appalachian Region. All Rights Reserved.