Meet up with other farmers and agricultural professionals on working farms to see organic systems in action! Share your successes and your challenges with peers and connect with useful resource providers. OAK's Farmer Education Events are on-farm and virtual learning opportunities offered monthly for farmers, ag professionals and local food system allies. OAK welcomes farmers from all types and scales of farms - large and small scale, organic and conventional, urban and rural.
OAK Members and Member Farms receive discounted registration pricing to OAK events. Keep up-to-date with the details of every farmer-to-farmer learning event - subscribe to our Field Notes newsletter.
Have suggestions for future farms, practices or topics to highlight? Let OAK know.
Upcoming Events
Conservation on an Urban Farm
BearFruit & Grow, Louisville, KY -- July 29, 2025, 9am - 12pm ET
BearFruit & Grow is much more than an urban farm, it’s a community pillar. Out of the turbulence and solidarity of 2020, LeTicia Marshall created an abundant 15-raised-bed backyard garden and youth education program while creating and contributing to food justice efforts throughout Louisville. Five years later, LeTicia stewards four acres in south Louisville along the banks of Pond Creek. Working with the land and its natural resources to support her subsistence and market food production, LeTicia prioritizes ongoing conservation and whole farm ecology in her growing systems and land management, including
Pollinator plantings to support beneficial insects and manage pests,
Creekside plantings for water protection and soil stabilization,
Biodiversity of plants and animals that supports self-sufficiency and market offerings,
Cover crop plantings, solarization and soil testing for healthy garden soils.
Join this Field Day at BearFruit & Grow to tour this urban farm, explore conservation practices and learn from partner agriculture professionals in engaging presentations and activities.
This free event is supported by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and in partnership with Grow Appalachia and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. OAK's Farmer Education program is supported by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF). Registration fees are waived for this event; registration is required.
Year-Round Earnings, Creative Diversification and Organic Certification
4Js Family Farm, Cornishville, KY -- August 26, 2025, 9 am - 12 pm ET
4Js Family Farm in Mercer County certified 50 acres of organic crop production in May 2025, working with OAK’s Organic Transition Specialist and Organic Farmer Mentor through the latter part of their transition to organic. Farming sustainably for four years outside Harrodsburg and for the previous seven years in New Jersey, Jennifer and Jan Maynard and their two children are committed to practices supporting living soil, building resilient farms and enabling healthy local food systems. The Maynards are building a multi-enterprise diversified farm with year-round income streams through on-farm events, consumer education, value-added food and sustainable products and creative entrepreneurship.
Join this Field Day to learn more about the Maynards’ journey through the recordkeeping and practices of organic certification. Tour 4J Family Farm’s acre of certified organic vegetables and cut flowers, plant germination room and cold storage/packshed designed within a repurposed shipping container. Visit their event barn development (in progress), hear their marketing strategies for Community Supported Agriculture, farmers markets and value-added products.
The USDA's Midwest Transition to Organic Program Partnershipprovided support for this event, as did Grow Appalachia and the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. OAK's Farmer Education program is supported by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF). Registration fees are waived for this event; registration is required.
Rotational Grazing, Silvopasture and Farming with Native Ecosystems
Cedar Creek Farm, Somerset, KY -- September 18, 2025, 1 - 4 pm ET
Cedar Creek Farm is a diversified family farm that raises 100% grass-fed beef on 100 acres in the rolling hills of Pulaski County. Micah Wiles and his family believe in farming within natural systems and have integrated rotational grazing, silvopasture, warm- and cool-season forage, hedgerows and native plantings to support the creeks, springs, soils, biodiversity, livestock and people connected to their land.
Join this OAK Field Day to tour their orchards, native and improved pastures and riparian buffer. Explore the gravity-fed natural and installed livestock watering systems, including in-field water tanks and quick-connect buried lines. Learn how Micah’s simple, electric fencing allows ease of movement between paddocks for healthy rotations. Visit Cedar Creek Farm's 20-year-old native grass pasture managed by prescribed burning and intentional grazing. Master Grazier Greg Brann will join the Field Day to offer pasture and forage insights for soil, livestock and nutrient management.
UK Horticulture Farm, Lexington, KY -- September 23, 2025, 8am - 4pm ET
Specialty crop producers now have more options than ever for appropriate technology that optimizes their physical weed control systems. This all-day Field Day is cohosted by the University of Kentucky’s Center for Crop Diversification (UK CCD) and will feature a variety of walk-behind and four-wheel tractor-mounted cultivation tools that are available on the market for farms at various scales.
Join this field day at the University of Kentucky Horticulture Research Farm for a day of educational sessions, field demonstrations and a trade show. This event is a great fit for thos interested in:
Exploring weeding and cultivating tools hands-on before buying them
Learning about making cultivator and tool adjustments.
Discovering the latest innovations in mechanical weed control and cultivation at small, medium or large scales.
Networking and learning from peers and expert practitioners.
Explore Summaries and Resources from OAK's past Farmer Education events:
2024 - Two Webinars: Conservation Through EQIP, Conservation on Small, Urban Farms + Seven On-farm Field Days: Lazy EIght Stock Farm, Foxfire Farm, Wolf Gap Gardens, Barr Farms, Seedleaf-Headwater Farm, Valley Spirit Farm, Apostles Garden.
2023 - One Virtual Event: Farm Food Safety Plans + Seven On-Farm Field Days: Pavel's Garden, Faul Family Riverside Farm, Cedar Ring Greens, Hallow Springs Farm, Coleman Crest Farm, Flourishing Herbs Farm, Rains and Sun Hilltop Farm.
2022 - Seven On-Farm Field Days: Modern Heritage Farm, UK Organic CSA, Rootbound Farm, Salamander Springs Farm, Moutain Girl Provision Co, Rough Draft Farmstead, Beiler Farm + One Webinar: CSA Planning, Recordkeeping, Marketing.
View previous OAK virtual events on our OAK YouTube page, including recordings, snapshots and lessons learned from host farmers.
Cover Crops, Perennials and Diversified Plantings: Sustainable Practices for Long-Term Farming
Seedleaf's Headwater Farm, Lexington KY -- April 24, 2025
Along the headwaters of the Elkhorn Creek in Northeastern Fayette County, Headwater Farm cultivates nutrient-dense produce for community partners and supports small local agribusinesses in Lexington. On this 30-acre parcel of leased land, Lexington nonprofit Seedleaf provides acreage to small-scale growers, cultivates culturally significant seeds for organic markets and offers community education on organic agriculture and agroforestry. Join us for this Field Day at Headwater Farm to learn more about Seedleaf’s community farming practices during seasonal crop transitions and the coordinated efforts of growing food and supporting local ecosystems. Learn about Seedleaf’s partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to support healthy soil-building, improve Elkhorn Creek’s water quality and enhance pollinator habitat. Discover Seedleaf’s cooperative approach with multiple community gardeners on shared land to ensure clarity and coordination in a community space. Experience their techniques for sowing and terminating cover crops (crimping, tarping and mowing) with multiple scales of equipment. Tour Headwater Farm’s garden production to explore seasonal crop choices and management in the field and high tunnel, and learn more about their agroforestry practices and perennial orchards.
This event was supported by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). OAK's Farmer Education program is supported by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF).
OAK Conservation Chats are open, virtual gatherings where Kentucky farmers, growers and landowners connect with peers and OAK conservation staff to share experiences and ask questions about on-the-ground conservation.
Conservation Chat participants explore the basics of conservation practices and how to engage with technical and financial assistance through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Tailored to the needs and goals of registered participants, topics may include connecting with NRCS field staff, applying for NRCS cost-share programs, identifying appropriate conservation practices to meet farm/land goals and interpreting NRCS payment timelines and scenarios. These events are conversational and not recorded, to promote participant engagement and peer-to-peer connections.
Special thanks to GoodThymes Organic Farm (2024) and Loving Farm (2025) for sharing their on-farm conservation practices in previous Conservation Chats.
This event is supported by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Reach out to Mad Marchal to suggest topics for our next virtual Chat in 2026: [email protected]
First Five Years of an Organic Market Garden
DreamTime Market Gardens, Lexington KY -- June 10, 2025
From an open field in the summer of 2020 to a certified organic farm with 1.2 acres of open and covered vegetable and herb production serving an on-farm market, restaurant, grocery and wholesale outlets, DreamTime Market Gardens has grown steadily in its first five years. Zach Selby transitioned his work from full-time chef and backyard gardener to full-time organic farmer by learning from other farmers, building in annual growth to infrastructure and production systems, cultivating market and customer relationships, leaning on funding and technical assistance programs, expanding crops and product offerings and growing his farm staff.
At this Farmer Field Day, Zach will walk us through DreamTime’s fields, high tunnels, pack-shed and greenhouse; share his production planning and processes and demonstrate seeding equipment and cultural practices. The Field Day conversation will also explore Zach’s inside perspective on working with restaurants and chefs, the challenges of not living on-farm and farming with limited water access.
Grow Appalachia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture provided support for this Field Day. OAK's Farmer Education program is supported by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF).
Community-Supported Agriculture and Pastured Livestock
Old Homeplace Farm, Oneida KY -- June 23, 2025
At Old Homeplace Farm in Clay County, Maggie and Will Bowling bring generations of family knowledge into their farming endeavors. Maggie grew up on an organic vegetable farm in southern Ohio. For decades, Will has helped with his family’s livestock farm a few miles upstream from his and Maggie’s current farm. Since 2014, the Bowlings have worked to develop healthy pasture systems; soil health and crop diversity; harvest, post-harvest and storage infrastructure; and a community of customers and supporters. In addition to an online store and local drop-off options, Old Homeplace Farm offers 20-week Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares featuring 35 crops and options to add meat, cut flower or honey selections.
In this Farmer Field Day, Maggie will provide a look at her greenhouse, high tunnels, packing shed and field crops as she walks participants through her vegetable production, post-harvest and packing systems. Maggie will share the growth of her farm, including equipment, infrastructure and labor needs, while maintaining the growth to a scale that a small crew of three or four farm staff can manage. Join the Field Day to hear Maggie’s considerations of pursuing organic certification and her involvement with the Kentucky Farm Share Coalition. Will will share the pastured livestock operation, including grass-finished beef, sheep and goats, and recent efforts to build silvopasture systems into their rotational grazing.
Grow Appalachia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agricultureprovided support for this Field Day. OAK's Farmer Education program is supported by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF).
Farmer-Focused Field Days, Workshops and Webinars for the farming community
The Organic Association of Kentucky's (OAK) Field Days are on-farm and virtual learning opportunities for farmers, ag professionals and local food system advocates. OAK welcomes farmers from all types and scales of farms - large and small scale, organic and conventional, urban and rural, OAK members and non-members.
Specialty crop producers now have more options than ever for appropriate technology that optimizes their physical weed control systems. This all-day Field Day is cohosted by
Along the headwaters of the Elkhorn Creek in Northeastern Fayette County, Headwater Farm cultivates nutrient-dense produce for community partners and supports small local agribusinesses in Lexington. On this 30-acre parcel of leased land, Lexington nonprofit Seedleaf provides acreage to small-scale growers, cultivates culturally significant seeds for organic markets and offers community education on organic agriculture and agroforestry. Join us for this Field Day at Headwater Farm to learn more about Seedleaf’s community farming practices during seasonal crop transitions and the coordinated efforts of growing food and supporting local ecosystems. Learn about Seedleaf’s partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to support healthy soil-building, improve Elkhorn Creek’s water quality and enhance pollinator habitat. Discover Seedleaf’s cooperative approach with multiple community gardeners on shared land to ensure clarity and coordination in a community space. Experience their techniques for sowing and terminating cover crops (crimping, tarping and mowing) with multiple scales of equipment. 
