By Blake Jackson
The University of Kentucky Horticulture Research Farm recently brought together 127 growers and agricultural professionals for a field day centered on practical tools and technologies that can help farmers improve crop production, according to Briana Fortunato, Marketing and Communications Manager at the University of Kentucky.
Held August 25, 2026, the Appropriate Tools and Technologies Field Day were organized by the University of Kentucky’s Center for Crop Diversification (CCD), the Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) and the Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC).
The program combined educational presentations, hands-on field demonstrations, and a trade show featuring equipment and technologies for farmers.
The event was influenced by a 2024 visit to Purdue University, where Alexis Sheffield, a UK horticulture Extension specialist and CCD co-director; Sarah Guerkink, an Organic Production Specialist with OAK; and 12 Kentucky farmers participated in the Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day.
“One thing we heard clearly from our group was the need for more equipment and technologies designed with the small to mid-sized farmers in mind,” Sheffield said.
That feedback prompted CCD and OAK to organize Kentucky’s first Mechanical Weed Control Field Day in 2025. Farmers who attended that event identified propagation and transplanting as key areas where better technology could save time, reduce production delays and improve results.
This year’s program responded to those concerns by showcasing equipment for seeding, transplanting and irrigation. Participants also learned about high tunnel soil steaming and solarization, growing media, grafting, difficult-to-seed crops and greenhouse management.
Sixteen vendors demonstrated equipment and discussed how various technologies could be applied on individual farms.
“A technology that looks great on paper isn't necessarily the right fit once you consider the realities of a small farm such as available labor, field conditions, crop mix, acreage, cost, and how often the equipment will actually be used,” Sheffield said.
Cameron Hill, North America director at Global Ag Company, demonstrated Checchi and Magli’s Trium no-till transplanter and Wolf Pro plastic transplanter.
“Customers were highly engaged, asked great questions, and showed strong interest in the technology,” Hill said. “Overall, it was great to connect with growers, and the event was very successful.”
The educational portion also focused on plant propagation. Shari Dutton, an agriculture Extension associate in UK’s Department of Horticulture, discussed methods for successfully producing plants from very small seeds, including sanitation, watering, growing conditions and sowing techniques.
“Many beginning and experienced growers alike find starting and growing plants from very small seeds a challenge,” Dutton said. “My hope is that the tips I shared would remove some common barriers to success when it comes to growing transplants.”
The event also featured agricultural organizations and UK programs, while lunch highlighted locally sourced food through UK’s Food Connection. Forty-three volunteers and Horticulture Research Farm staff supported demonstrations and educational activities.
For Sheffield, farmer feedback remained central to the event.
“Most importantly, we wanted the day to be a conversation,” she said. “The best ideas for future programming often come directly from farmers telling us where the pinch points are in their operations.”
Photo Credit: briana-fortunato
Categories: Kentucky, Education