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OAK 2025 Conference Agenda
The 14th Annual OAK Conference Grounded in Organics: From Soil to Market agenda is below. The 2025 Conference offers Pre-Conference workshops on January 23, followed by two full days of sessions on Friday January 24 and Saturday January 25. We look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Agroforestry in Practice: Adding Perennials to the Farmscape (9:00am - 12:30pm ET)
Marissa Arnoldussen, OAK; Daniel Mays, Frith Farm; Margaret Shea, Dropseed Native Plant Nursery; Ian Zeglin, Greenacres Foundation; Jesse Frost, Rough Draft Farmstead (Moderator)
Native perennial plantings can reduce erosion, pest, weed and wind challenges; create pollinator and wildlife habitat, enhance farm aesthetics for farmers and agritourism and add product diversity to farms. This pre-conference workshop provides farm success stories, resources for native plant selection for crop, livestock and working farmlands and details on technical and financial assistance available for on-farm implementation.
Moderated by Jesse Frost, informed by his farming experience and dozens of farmer interviews, this workshop brings together a unique combination of hedgerow, border garden, alley cropping and native plant expertise from four presenters: Marissa Arnoldussen of OAK, Daniel Mays of Frith Farm, Margaret Shea of Dropseed Native Plant Nursery and Ian Zeglin of Greenacres Foundation. This workshop covers site, design and species selection; regional native plants, including edibles; propagation, establishment and maintenance best practices; multi-year, dynamic crop planning with perennials and annuals; beneficial insect and pollinator habitats; ecological benefits and potential new revenue streams. Join this workshop to learn about successful agroforestry practices with pragmatic applications on any Kentucky farm.
Support for this project comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities under agreement number NR233A750004G092.
Walk-Behind Tractors A to Z: History, Applications, Use and Maintenance (9:00am - 12:30pm ET)
 Joel Dufour - Earth Tools; Maggie Dungan - Salad Days Farm
What IS a walk-behind tractor? What can it DO? What CAN'T it do? Joel Dufour brings 40 years of experience with walk-behind tractors to this hands-on workshop, where farmers will learn the ins and outs of this machinery with useful applications on many Kentucky farms. Farmer Maggie Dungan will share her tips and experience with walk-behind tractors on her diversified vegetable farm. In this workshop, farmers will learn when walk-behind tractors are the right machine for their farms and take a deep dive into how to use and maintain them. This workshop will start with a presentation indoors and conclude in one of the shop buildings with a hands-on maintenance session. This workshop will take place partly outdoors; please dress for the weather.
Dealing with the Squeeze: Finding Profit When All Input Costs are High (9:00am - 12:30pm ET)
 Adam Barr - Barr Farms; Ellen Polishuk - Plant to Profit
Post-COVID, the boom for local food has subsided, and labor is hard to find and more expensive than ever. Getting a profitable bottom line is tough. This workshop explores what “levers” diversified vegetable farmers can use to pull the proverbial profit rabbit out of the hat of their farm business. Join this workshop with renowned educator Ellen Polishuk, who will help farmers conceptualize where they can exert leverage to pull profit from their farms and explore how capturing farm metrics can lead to profit-making farm plans. Topics covered in this workshop will include: getting clear on what profit is, levers of price, cost and yield, and a crop-costing exercise to help “expose” winners and losers. Farmers who participate in this engaging deep-dive into farm business management will walk away with an increased understanding of where their farms may be losing money and which record-keeping best practices and priorities can bring them one step closer to the goal of operating a profitable and fulfilling farm business.
Silvopasture in the Eastern Hardwood Forests (1:30 - 5:00pm ET)
 Brett Chedzoy - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County / Angus Glen Farms LLC; Greg Brann - Greg Brann Consulting / Big Spring Farm; Marissa Arnoldussen - OAK (Moderator)
Silvopasture practices in many forms and scales are expanding across farm landscapes in the Eastern US, allowing graziers of pastured livestock to provide shade, diversify market products and protect woodlands and water quality. Join this workshop with Greg Brann and Brett Chedzoy for an in-depth conversation on successful experiences creating and managing silvopastures on typical grazing operations, including:
- Adding (planting) and subtracting (thinning) trees to create opportunities for silvopasturing
- Establishing productive forages under existing trees and balancing proper shade and sunlight levels
- Using livestock as the workforce to improve system productivity over time and reduce the presence of noxious plants
- Working with technical service professionals to make larger projects happen
This comprehensive silvopasture workshop will help beginning and intermediate graziers alike to take their practices to the next level.
Support for this project comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities under agreement number NR233A750004G092.
Storage Crop Success: Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Winter Squash (1:30 - 5:00pm ET)
 Jeff Poppen - Long Hungry Creek Farm
Storage crops can add market possibilities to a farm’s off-season business, providing a steady income for the lean months. In this workshop, Jeff Poppen will share decades of production experience with potatoes, sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Jeff will cover soil preparation techniques for potatoes like cutting, chitting, planting, cultivating and hilling so that no one needs to step into the field from sowing until harvest. He will use fifty years of sweet potato experience to illuminate saving “seed,” making beds, cutting slips, planting in ridges, thorough cultivation, digging and storage in detail. Jeff will explore soil preparation, varietal selection, planting, cultivation, harvest and storage of butternut squash to make it a profitable addition to farmers' crop production. Join this workshop for a comprehensive exploration of growing these three popular storage crops using organic practices on your market farm.
Mini-Mastermind for Experienced Growers (1:30 - 5:00pm ET)
 Ellen Polishuk - Plant to Profit; Sarah Geurkink - OAK
Join the dynamic facilitator and teacher Ellen Polishuk and fellow farmers in a mini version of the renowned Mastermind, an invaluable group learning experience. This workshop will help experienced vegetable producers find new solutions to shared farming problems. Participants will discuss challenges, resources and creative solutions in diversified vegetable production. Participants will determine workshop topics in a pre-conference survey and feedback during this engaging workshop. Examples include production hot spots (weeds, pests, diseases, rotation, variety selection, crop system), recordkeeping, sourcing (tools, equipment, technical assistance), labor management, software, quality of life and more. Ellen Polishuk brings 30 years of experience in profitable production farming and a proven system for creating comfortable spaces where farmers push one another toward their goals. Participants will leave this workshop with practical and actionable next steps toward a more profitable, enjoyable, sustainable farm business.
Mini-Mastermind for Experienced Growers Participant Requirements:
- Complete a pre-workshop survey to guide discussion topics and content (survey will be emailed upon registration completion).
- Participants must meet 3 of 5 of the following criteria: 8+ years in business growing diversified vegetables; farming is the primary occupation of at least one member of your household; farming is the primary income source for your household; growing 5 acres or more; Kentucky Farm Share Coalition farmer.
- This workshop is not intended for observers. Actively participate, build conversation and share - giving and receiving.
Opening Session: Organic Farmer Panel (9:00 - 10:15 am ET)
Larry Brandenburg - Harmony Fields Farm; Daniel Mays - Frith Farm; Keith McKenzie - Knob Hill Farm; Cortney Moses - GoodThymes Organic Farm; Lisa Munniksma - Freelance Writer and Food Systems Advocate (Moderator)
Strategies to Eliminate Fertilizer and Improve Profitability on KY Cattle Farms (10:30 - 11:45 am ET)
Greg Halich - University of Kentucky
Soil Solarization in High Tunnels for Management of Diseases, Nematodes, and Weeds (10:30-11:45 am ET)
Nicole Gauthier and Rachel Rudolph - University of Kentucky; Ron McMaine - McMaine River Farm
Farmer-Led Trials: How to Plan, Conduct and Fund On-Farm Research (10:30 - 11:45 am ET)
Brian Geier - Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF); Maggie Dungan - Salad Days Farm
Grazing the Way Towards Soil and Water Conservation
Amanda Gumbert - University of Kentucky; Cody Rakes - Loretto Motherhouse Farm
Ginger & Turmeric: From Root to Value-Added Product (1:15 - 2:15 pm ET)
Jesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics
Resource Roundtable: Organic Horticulture in Kentucky (1:15 - 2:15 pm ET)
Ric Bessin - University of Kentucky; Cindy Finneseth - University of Kentucky; Sarah Geurkink - OAK; Kim Leonberger - University of Kentucky; Kirk Pomper - Kentucky State University; Rachel Rudolph - University of Kentucky
Farmer Roundtable: Rotational Grazing (2:45 - 4:00 pm ET)
DeeAnn Bauerle - Bauerle Family Farms; Brett Chedzoy - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County / Angus Glen Farms LLC; Greg Halich - University of Kentucky; Cody Rakes - Loretto Motherhouse Farm
PFAS: What Kentucky Farmers Need to Know (2:45 - 4:00 pm ET)
Tom "Fitz" FitzGerald - Kentucky Resources Council; Nima Kulkarni - Kentucky State Representative (House District 40); Jason Unrine - University of Kentucky; Jamie Young Wise - University of Louisville
Note: Jamie will join this session virtually.
To Till or Not to Till (2:45 - 4:00 pm ET)
Ellen Polishuk - Plant to Profit
Farmer Hacks (4:15 - 5:15 pm ET)
Jacqueline Berry - Flourishing Herbs Farm; Dusty Gossett - Gossett Farms; Ken Marks - Floyd's View Farm; Jackson Rolett - Apostles Garden
Federal Policy and Your Farm (4:15 - 5:15 pm ET)
Kimmie Ishmael and Laurie White - Community Farm Alliance
Dive into UK's CSA Handbook: Utilizing and Developing Crop Production Resources (4:15 - 5:15 pm ET)
Kristi Durbin - University of Kentucky Organic Farming Unit; Paul Merryweather - Ashbourne Farms
Gather & Grow: Member Meeting & Social (5:30 - 7:30 pm ET)
Gather with OAK members and friends for a meaningful and brief annual meeting, followed by time to socialize, snack and grow together. Get to know OAK’s staff, board members and community in a relaxed and inviting setting. Both members and prospective members are welcome! Beverages and snacks will be provided. Register for the Gather & Grow: Member Meeting & Social through the conference registration form. Conference attendance is not required to attend the Member Meeting & Social!
Keynote: Improving Small Farm Success with Organic Farming, Soil Health And Technology (9:00 - 10:15 am ET)
Jesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics
Onions Make the Meal: Growing Onions Organically (10:30 - 11:45 am ET)
Jeff Poppen - Long Hungry Creek Farm
How to Conduct Research on the Farm (10:30 - 11:45 am ET)
Fatima Jackson - Action Jackson Farms; Candace Pollock-Moore - Southern SARE; Paul Vincelli - University of Kentucky
Crops Under Cover! Reaping the Rewards of Protective Row Covers (1:15 - 2:30 pm ET)
John Bell - Elmwood Stock Farm; Maggie Dungan - Salad Days Farm; Keith McKenzie - Knob Hill Farm; Sharon Stone - Two Suns Farm; David Gonthier, Katie Fiske and Elaine Losekamp - University of Kentucky
What's the Scoop on Poop? Manure Characteristics and Application Rates (1:15 - 2:30 pm ET)
Tammy Barnes - National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT); Randy Smallwood - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Using the Power of Visual Appeal to Attract Customers (1:15 - 2:30 pm ET)
Chelsea Barbour - High Five Farm; Kayla Carey - Kentucky Flower Market; Brett Wolff - University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification
How to Farm Forever (2:45 - 3:45 pm ET)
Joseph Monroe - Valley Spirit Farm; David Robb - Eden Prairie Farm
Practical Pollinator Support for Your Farm (2:45 - 3:45 pm ET)
Kevin Archer - Dandelion Ridge Farm; Alexis Gauger - University of Kentucky
Farmer Mentorships for Organic Transition (2:45 - 3:45 pm ET)
Kenya Abraham - OAK; Jesse Buie - Ole Brook Organics; Farmers (TBD); Holly Chiantaretto - Hallow Springs Farm; Evelenia Mitchell - Mitchell Family Farm / PercyAnnie
Breaking Down Barriers to Biochar Adoption (4:00 - 5:00 pm ET)
Laura Freeman - Mt. Folly Farm; Aysha Tapp-Ross - American Farmland Trust
Drought Resistance and International Crops in the Age of Climate Crisis (4:00 - 5:00 pm ET)
Mateo Barnett - Common Earth Gardens; Om Ha - Mindat Community Garden of Louisville
Principles of Contour Lines Agroforestry (4:00 - 5:00 pm ET)
Thomas Leonard - Contour Lines
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