Upcoming Events
Learn hands-on from Kentucky growers and Extension specialists. Join live Q&A sessions, field days, and workshops designed to solve real production challenges.
Can't make it live? Most sessions are recorded for members.
Planning for Farm Diversification
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) is hosting a Planning for Farm Diversification workshop on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Marshall County Cooperative Extension Office. This one-day event is designed to support farmers exploring new opportunities in produce farming or livestock for value-added products.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into:
Business planning and marketing strategies
Production and resource planning
Building a support network for diversification success
Funding Opportunities
Doors open at 8:30 AM, and the workshop will conclude by 4:00 PM local time. Lunch will be provided, and registration is required by registering here.
📅 Date: November 17, 2025📍 Location: Marshall County Cooperative Extension Office📞 Contact:859-550-3972 or email kcard@kcard.info
KCARD works across Kentucky to strengthen rural businesses and agribusinesses through tailored support services, including business planning, funding guidance, marketing support, and more. Learn more at www.kcard.info.
2026 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference
The premier educational program for produce and cut flower growers in Kentucky.
This two-day meeting is devoted to fruit, vegetable and cut flower production, handling, harvesting, marketing, storage and related topics. Approximately 500 growers, researchers, and technical service providers attend the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference each year.
Conference Details
The Conference will be held at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, KY. Book your hotel room at the Holiday Inn: University Plaza-Bowling Green by Tuesday, December 30, 2025 to take advantage of the special group rate of $108.00 per night. To book your room, use the link above or call 1-800-HOLIDAY and mention our Block Name: KY Fruit & Vegetable Conference 2026 and Block Code: KFV
Pre-Conference sessions begin on the afternoon of Sunday, January 11th, 2026. The conference will officially begin on Monday, January 12th and end on Tuesday, January 13th.
The conference program is now available! Check back for more updates as they become available.
*The program is subject to change.
Programs will not be mailed like in years past, but they will be available at the conference.
Unlike in past years, lunch will not be served at the conference.
We will provide ample time for attendees to leave the conference center for lunch and return for afternoon sessions. We will also provide a list of nearby restaurants for your convience here on this page closer to the conference.
Attendee Registration
Attendee registration allows entrance to all conference sessions. For online attendee registration, click here.
Online or mail-in early bird registration (received before Friday, December 19, 2025) is $80
Late registration (received after Friday, December 19, 2025) and on-site registration is $100
Students get free registation!
You may also pay by check by mailing your registration and check to Kentucky Horticulture Council, PO Box 21736, Lexington, KY 40522-1736. For mail-in registration and conference details, click here.
Because of hotel policies, registration fees are non-refundable.
As a reminder, we have commitments with the hotel and vendors to make this event possible. Because of this we aren’t able to offer refunds for cancellations. In the case of cancellation or delay, we will do our best to provide online and in-person learning opportunities for those who registered. We greatly appreciate your understanding and support in making this conference a success.
Exhibitor & Sponsorship Registration
Exhibitor and Sponsorship registration is now open. Each January, the Kentucky Fruit & Vegetable Conference brings together over 500 growers, educators, researchers, and partners for three days of practical training, networking, and peer learning. Our exhibitor space is designed to help you meet farmers, share your products and services, and build meaningful relationships within Kentucky’s horticulture community. Your sponsorship helps keep this event affordable and impactful while supporting Kentucky’s specialty crop community.
We invite your organization to join us — not just with a logo, but with purpose! Click here for online exhibitor & sponsorship registration.
You may also pay by check by mailing your registration and check to Kentucky Horticulture Council, PO Box 21736, Lexington, KY 40522-1736. For mail-in registration and conference details, click here.
2026 Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Green Industry Winter Conference
Vendor & sponsor registration along with hotel details are now available online here.
Growing Your Farm and Food Business Workshop
Unlock new opportunities for your agribusiness with KCARD staff and partners at our comprehensive workshops on funding, business planning, and more!
At our Growing Your Farm and Food Business Workshops, you'll learn how to put together a comprehensive business plan and funding application. There will also be time to network with funders representing a wide variety of funding programs, including opportunities to ask questions specific to your farm operation. Register here.
Values-Based Food System Gathering
Announcing the Values-Based Food System Gathering!
November 5, 2025
Need More Acres Farm | Scottsville, KY
We’re gathering changemakers to build a food system rooted in values—where community well-being, balanced access, and resilience come first.
In partnership with the National Farm to School Network, National Center for Sustainable Technology, USDA, state and local organizations, this gathering will bring together:
Farmers
Institutional Buyers
Technical Support Providers
Community Advocates
Together, we’ll explore how values-based procurement can transform our schools, healthcare systems, and communities by aligning purchasing power with what matters most: people.
BONUS: First 25 farmers to register receive a $100 stipend for time and travel!
Event Highlights:
Locally sourced breakfast & lunch
Breakout sessions with statewide leaders
Farm & Food Hub tour
Agenda:
8:30 – 9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast
9:00 – 9:30 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:30 – 11:30 AM | Breakout Sessions
• Farm to School Procurement
• Farm to Healthcare Programming
• Market & Funding Opportunities
11:30 – 1:00 PM | Locally Sourced Lunch & 1:1 Networking
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Farm & Food Hub Tour
Register now: https://lnkd.in/eXA6szvF
Let’s build a values-based food system—together.
2025 Kentucky Women in Agriculture Annual Conference
Join Kentucky Women in Agriculture for the 26th Annual Conference: Natural Leaders Bridging Connections!
The Kentucky Women in Agriculture (KWIA) Annual Conference is a testament to the vital role women play in the agriculture industry and serves as a platform for continuous growth, innovation, and success. Travel to the beautiful mountains of the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, KY for a one-day gathering that will rejuvenate and empower the strong female leaders of our agriculture community. We can't wait to see you!
Click here for the tentative schedule or to register.
Growing Your Farm and Food Business Workshop
Unlock new opportunities for your agribusiness with KCARD staff and partners at our comprehensive workshops on funding, business planning, and more!
At our Growing Your Farm and Food Business Workshops, you'll learn how to put together a comprehensive business plan and funding application. There will also be time to network with funders representing a wide variety of funding programs, including opportunities to ask questions specific to your farm operation. Register here.
Direct Marketing Summit - Day Three: Food is Medicine
This three night event will cover important marketing topics, valuable to producers from every agriculture sector. Each night will cover a different marketing channel—CSA, Farmers’ Markets, & Food As Medicine. Sessions will run promptly from 6 - 8 PM EST with time for questions after each presentation.
Register here. Questions? Send them to bethany@kyhortcouncil.org.
Direct Marketing Summit - Day Two: CSA
This three night event will cover important marketing topics, valuable to producers from every agriculture sector. Each night will cover a different marketing channel—CSA, Farmers’ Markets, & Food As Medicine. Sessions will run promptly from 6 - 8 PM EST with time for questions after each presentation.
Register here. Questions? Send them to bethany@kyhortcouncil.org.
Planning for Farm Diversification
The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) is hosting a Planning for Farm Diversification workshop on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the Greenup County Cooperative Extension Office. This one-day event is designed to support farmers exploring new opportunities in produce farming or livestock for value-added products.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into:
Business planning and marketing strategies
Production and resource planning
Building a support network for diversification success
Funding Opportunities
Doors open at 8:30 AM, and the workshop will conclude by 4:00 PM local time. Lunch will be provided, and registration is required by registering here.
📅 Date: October 21, 2025
📍 Location: Greenup County Cooperative Extension Office
📞 Contact: 859-550-3972 or email kcard@kcard.info
KCARD works across Kentucky to strengthen rural businesses and agribusinesses through tailored support services, including business planning, funding guidance, marketing support, and more. Learn more at www.kcard.info.
Direct Marketing Summit - Day One: Farmers’ Markets
This three night event will cover important marketing topics, valuable to producers from every agriculture sector. Each night will cover a different marketing channel—CSA, Farmers’ Markets, & Food As Medicine. Sessions will run promptly from 6 - 8 PM EST with time for questions after each presentation.
Register here. Questions? Send them to bethany@kyhortcouncil.org.
Field Day at Ashbourne Farms
Join UK Fruit Specialists, Kentucky Horticulture Council, and the Organic Association of Kentucky for a Field Day at Ashbourne Farms in La Grange on October 16 at 4 PM.
Growing Your Farm and Food Business Workshop
Unlock new opportunities for your agribusiness with KCARD staff and partners at our comprehensive workshops on funding, business planning, and more!
At our Growing Your Farm and Food Business Workshops, you'll learn how to put together a comprehensive business plan and funding application. There will also be time to network with funders representing a wide variety of funding programs, including opportunities to ask questions specific to your farm operation. Register here.
