Join us at the Great Plains Growers Conference—or online—for our KSCGA 2026 Annual Meeting.

Updates on the work we’re doing—and what we hope to do in the coming year; Organizational updates and business; Connect with fellow Kansas growers: Get involved.

Watch for updates and Zoom access info as the event approaches.

KSCGA Project Manager Peter Pierson will be presenting on our work and the possibilities we’re seeing in specialty crop production and sales at the monthly Miami County Non-trad Ag Coffee Talk in Paola. These grower information and networking sessions put on by Miami County Conservation District have drawn large gatherings of growers and partners from across E Kansas and W Missouri—offering a good opportunity to connect with other growers and see what’s going on in the industry.

The talk is held at Casa Somerset Bed and Breakfast (not to mention large-scale elderberry grower/processor/distributor): 16315 W 287th St, Paola. RSVP requested by emailing: info@miamicountycd.com.

We look forward to connecting with our growers at this event.

Explore possibilities in putting in native plants around your cultivation operations—enhancing pollinator populations. Watch for more on this event and other training/networking opportunities with Miami County Conservation District at: www.miamicountycd.com.

Participants may be eligible for travel stipend for participation in this and other grower networking events. More on grower training/networking stipends at: www.kscga.org/new-grower-program.

K-State Extension Olathe Horticulture Center’s Annual Field Day—

• Tour the extensive array of research projects and learn about new crops, cultivation practices, pest control, water management and more

• Connect with growers from around the region and state

• Picnic dinner and award presentations

Registration and Travel Stipends Available—

New Growers (less than 10 years producing) are eligible for Beginning Farmer/Rancher Development Program networking/training travel stipends of up to $250. More on this and application at: www.kscga.org/new-grower-program.

This highly anticipated event will host Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses for discussion, networking, and a positive focus on growing agriculture. Please join agriculture leaders from across the state as we share ideas about how we all can work together to grow our state’s #1 industry.

The Summit will feature breakout sessions this year which will focus on issues related to research and value-added opportunities as they relate to agricultural sectors. The keynote speaker, Tanner Ehmke of CoBank, a Kansas native and K-State alumnus, will share expertise related to economic challenges facing Kansas agriculture.

Travel stipends available for new growers (less than 10 year experience) through the Beginning Farmer/Rancher Development Program—administered by KSCGA: www.kscga.org/new-grower-program.

AGENDA:

11:30 a.m. Registration Opens
11:30-1:00 Light lunch provided to registered attendees
1:00 p.m. Opening Remarks
1:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Tanner Ehmke of CoBank
2:30 p.m. Breakout 1
3:30 p.m. Breakout 2
4:30 p.m. Wrap-up
5:00 p.m. Networking Social - Light dinner provided  

Register (below) by Friday, Aug 1—After that, walk-ins accepted as space allows

Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association has been participating in The Kansas State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness program grower information and networking workshops. Another workshop has been scheduled in Salina March 27—and possibly more scheduled later this spring.

These workshops have proven to be not only a great venue to learn, network, and get started in exploring procurement between growers and schools, but also a way just to connect with and find opportunities in what other growers and end distribution markets are doing in your region.

Workshop will be held March 27 2025, 9:00am-3:00pm

Salina Public Library–Annex—McKenzie Room 2—301 W Elm, Salina

Register (by March 21) for the March 27 Salina workshop by filling out and submitting the form below:

Join us for our KSCGA Annual Meeting—January 10, 5:00—in-person at the Great Plains Growers Conference in St Joseph, MO—or via Zoom at: https://ksu.zoom.us/j/3176747968

Agenda items include:

We’ll be showcasing our work ahead under multiple USDA/KDA grant projects including:

• Working with K-State Extension/Growing Growers—supporting new growers in building their cultivation and distribution

• Partnering with KS Dept of Education—training and building local/regional produce supply for Kansas schools

• and more.

Roll-out of the (yes, long-anticipated) grower/market directory will be taking place in the days leading up to the Annual Meeting. We’ll be going through some orientation to what has turned out to be an extensive Kansas grower directory.

Board position openings

Ideas, needs—planning.

Great Plains Growers Conference Set for

January 9-11, 2025

Great Plains Growers Conference offer growers of all sizes to learn, build ideas, and connect with fellow growers from the region. More info and registration at: www.greatplainsgrowersconference.org.

Conference & Trade Show                    January 10-11th

The Great Plains Growers Conference (GPGC) is an essential annual midwestern event for commercial fruit and vegetable producers, specialty crops and hobbyists across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and other Midwestern states. It offers valuable, research-driven insights from both vegetable research specialists and experienced local growers, designed to help your farm flourish and succeed.

2025 Tracks Include:

• Business Development/Marketing 

• Tree Fruits

• Small Fruits

• Vegetable Production

• Integrated Pest Management

• Organic/Regenerative Agriculture

• Protected Culture (Tunnels) 

• Greenhouse/Hydroponics

• Cut-flower production 

• North-Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer Forum 

• Forest Farming

​

Pre-Conference Workshops - January 9th

• Hard Cider

• Nut Orchards

• Marketing Boot Camp 

Vineyards and wineries are quickly becoming a part of local and state economies—and an opportunity for growers of all sizes to diversify production. Join us Friday July 26 for an informational and networking event held at KSCGA member growers Z and M Twisted Vines.

More info and registration at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/fzncyvm/lp/652a4536-03a0-48ed-b5e6-cd1612e8d920.

The Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting January 12, 2014, 5-6:00pm CST—in-person and online options. The Annual Meeting is held in conjunction with the Great Plains Growers Conference—so those attending the Conference can join our Annual Meeting in-person. Those wishing to attend online, the Zoom link is: https://ksu.zoom.us/j/3176747968?omn=96617825475.

Zoom access info:

Topic: KSCGA Annual Meeting

Time: Jan 12, 2024 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ksu.zoom.us/j/3176747968?omn=97752231752

Meeting ID: 317 674 7968

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Course begins September 2023—More info and Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/insight-summit-2023-tickets-651073286727. Scholarships available at: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0rIBsse86MAZz3E?fbclid=IwAR0NZsUtUwNeptLlYXVdYw6n8YpRmRO0NQSOG32Dq-Wkl1vOPPKINpPqrZ8

K-State Research and Extension Olathe Horticulture Open House RESCHEDULED DUE TO HEAT FOR AUGUST 28, 2023. Register at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/KSUOHREC

Firefly Farm—Wichita is hosting the 2013 Tomato Fest Sunday July 16. Come explore what’s going in in tomato production innovation big and small—and stop by and see what KSCGA is up to these days.

Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association (KSCGA) will be among the presenters at a Local Foods Conference in Wichita, this Saturday Feb 4. We'll be presenting on what our extensive network of Kansas growers and markets is showing as to who's growing what, how they are selling, and more—all toward making connections among those involved in growing and selling and what might be needed in developing strong local foods systems.

More information and registration at: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=srgjb6sab&oeidk=a07ejjl3z8a84ac095f

Join us for the KSCGA Annual Meeting—and connect with other Kansas growers and get up-to-date on our work and vision for the next year ahead..

All Kansas growers and interested parties are encouraged to attend. Voting is restricted to those up-to-date on membership dues participating in the meeting. To pay dues, and access membership purchasing discounts and other member benefits, please do so at: www.kscga.org/membership. If you have questions regarding your membership status, please contact us at info@kscga.org.

Zoom Access:

https://ksu.zoom.us/j/3176747968

Meeting ID: 317 674 7968

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,3176747968# US (Houston)

+16694449171,,3176747968# US

Meeting ID: 317 674 7968

The Kansas Agritourism Program has partnered with Kansas Farm Bureau to hold a one-day agritourism summit on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center in Manhattan, KS. This summit is for members of the Agritourism Program and agriculture producers interested in finding out more about the Agritourism Program. The goal of the summit is to bring producers together to network, learn, gather resources, and ask questions!

Please register at Kansas Agritourism Summit - Registration (travelks.com) by Dec. 22. Cost is $25.