Boost your farming skills at KY event

By Blake Jackson

The 2025 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference is set to take place from January 5 to January 7 at the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa in Lexington, Kentucky. This annual event brings together approximately 600 growers, researchers, and technical support providers to discuss advancements and challenges in fruit, vegetable, and cut flower production.

The conference offers a comprehensive program covering a wide range of topics, including production, handling, harvesting, marketing, and storage. Pre-conference events begin on Sunday, January 5, featuring roundtable discussions with university specialists where growers can reflect on the past production year, share challenges, and ask questions.

The main conference spans two days, offering over 15 educational tracks and featuring more than 70 expert speakers. Attendees can also explore a trade show with over 65 vendors showcasing the latest in horticulture products and services.

Registration is now open, with both online and mail-in options available. Early bird pricing is valid until December 20, 2024, so attendees are encouraged to register early to secure discounted rates. Scholarships are available to support first-time attendees, especially beginning farmers with less than 10 years of experience.

These scholarships cover conference registration, though recipients are responsible for their own hotel accommodations. Additional funding options may be available through Kentucky State University’s Small-Scale Farm Grant Farmer Education Program.

Hotel reservations at the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa are available at a special group rate of $119 per night if booked by December 20, 2024. Attendees can make reservations online or by calling 859-231-5100 and mentioning the conference name.

The Kentucky Horticulture Council encourages sponsors and exhibitors to join this event to showcase their contributions to the horticulture industry. For more information about sponsorships or exhibits, contact dakota@kyhortcouncil.org.

This premier conference provides an excellent platform for learning, networking, and exploring innovative solutions in the horticulture sector. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry professionals and grow your knowledge.

For details and registration, visit the conference website.

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