Farmer Field Days, Workshops and Webinars

Sylvatica Forest Farm is a hub for educating the local and regional community on the importance of forest farming, herbalism and land stewardship within a long-term conservation mindset. The Rockcastle County land is stewarded by Joana Amorim and Michael Beck, who use permaculture and agroforestry practices to provide mushrooms, herbal products, fresh food and ecosystem services to their community. Through an online store, herbal CSA, tree nursery and hands-on workshops, Joana and Michael extend their knowledge and ecological practices to customers and neighbors.

In this OAK Field Day, visit Sylvatica Forest Farm’s orchards featuring alley cropping systems, earthworks and swales, forest farming, diverse perennial plantings and a gradual transition to silvopasture.  Tour the MushRoom Indoor Cultivation space to hear of Sylvatica’s transition to organic certification and engage in an indoor mushroom cultivation demonstration. Learn how Michael and Joana use one of their two high tunnels and several garden spaces for a collaborative community food-growing effort. 

Loving Farm is a small-scale, regenerative flower farm in Fleming County. On nearly six acres, farmers Marietta Labbato and Perriee Williamson grow flowers, herbs and vegetables for local and regional markets, direct-to-consumer sales and events. Building Loving Farm since 2020, they use cover crops, natural mulches and no-till crop production methods to build healthy soil ecosystems while supporting and enhancing the biodiversity of the whole farm.

With support from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Marietta and Perriee have established a half-acre pollinator planting and installed a roof runoff rainwater catchment. They are currently designing a native plant riparian buffer and filter strip to support biodiversity and reduce resource concerns on or around their farm and the adjoining Johnson Creek. 

Join this OAK Field Day to visit Loving Farm’s gardens and learn more about its conservation stewardship. Tour the growing farm infrastructure, including a greenhouse, herb- and flower-drying room and event barn. Hear Loving Farm’s successes in leveraging financial support from various state and regional organizations to grow their business and farmstead.

Event details coming soon!

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.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides assistance to support farmers adopting conservation practices, which can benefit certified organic farms, farms in transition to organic certification or those using/considering organic practices. In this free webinar, OAK conservation staff and NRCS staff share multiple ways that producers, growers and graziers can work with NRCS on successful conservation practices, uniquely tailored contracts,  organic transition assistance and whole-farm planning. 

​Henry County farmer Joseph Monroe of Valley Spirit Farm will share his experience working with NRCS since 2016 to create effective rotational grazing systems with improved forage, increase crop pollination, support plant and wildlife diversity and create sustainable on-farm watering systems for livestock and crops. 

This free online gathering offers something for everyone: participants with previous NRCS experience will gain insight into how to optimize future contracts, while those new to NRCS will learn how to build a relationship with NRCS. This webinar will be recorded. 

This event is 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). Registration fees are waived for this event; registration is required.

Check Back Soon for Event Summary and Resources