2026 GREAT PLAINS GROWERS CONFERENCE
January 8, 9, 10 th | Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, MO.
January 8, 9, 10 th | Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, MO.
Welcome and Keynote Address, featuring
CURTIs MilLsap ~ Owner/ Operator
Millsap Farms | Springfield,MO
Farming as a Sacred Trust:
building Community at the intersection of land, food & People
Farming as a Sacred Trust:
Building Community at the Intersection of Land, Food & People Curtis Millsap will share the journey of his family’s transformation from non-farmers to the stewards of Millsap Farms, a thriving 25-acre community-based vegetable and cut flower farm in Springfield, Missouri. Since 2007, Millsap Farms has grown into a cornerstone of the regional food system, serving a 200+ member CSA, a bustling farmers market, and local restaurants, while partnering with dozens of other producers. |
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This keynote will go beyond production numbers and marketing strategies to focus on the heart of farming: community. Curtis will reflect on how farming is a sacred trust—where stewardship of the land, the nourishment of people, and the building of relationships meet. Drawing from 17 years of experience, he will discuss how cultivating food also cultivates connection, belonging, and resilience.
Pre-Conference WORKSHOPS January 8th
Conference & Trade Show January 9 -10th
The Great Plains Growers Conference (GPGC) is THE HUB for commercial fruit and vegetable producers and hobbyists across
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and other Midwestern states.
This 3-day Annual Event offers valuable, research-driven insights from vegetable research specialists and experienced local growers, designed to help your farm flourish and succeed.
There’s no better place to connect with growers and experts from your region
than the Great Plains Growers Conference. Make a friend, forge a relationship,
build a supportive network that will last a lifetime and foster collaborative success
within the fruit and vegetable industry.
NEW in 2026! Farmer Network Forum: Connect. Ask Questions. Strengthen Professional Relationships.
Rotate through a series of mini 'power-stations', to plug into key resource people in your critical areas of need;
providing follow up contact with speakers, and colleagues.
Please Use the TAB BELOW to Purchase 1-day, 2-day, student, workshop tickets and more!
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Win a Free 2027 Conference Registration!
We want to hear about your conference experience. Complete the 2026 Conference Survey and you will be entered in a drawing for a FREE 2027 GPGC 2-Day Registration. SURVEY Link available after the 2026 conference. the trade show
Join us at the Trade Show on January 9-10, 2026 for a chance to explore and discuss the latest products with vendors. Discover new seeds, supplies, equipment, and valuable grower information all in one place. The Vendors and Trade Show tab at the top of this page will take you to more information on how to register for a booth in the tradeshow and we will continue to update those vendors who have committed to the 2026 conference so attendees have an idea who will be there! |
Pre-Conference Workshops - January 8th
CONFERENCE TRACKS : January 9th & 10th
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Conference partnerThe NCR-SARE Farmers Forum gives farmers, researchers, and educators the opportunity to share results from their on-farm grant research projects with other growers. The grant projects are supported by North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE), a USDA-funded program that supports and promotes sustainable farming and ranching by offering competitive grants and educational opportunities.
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Conference organizers
This conference is organized by Extension professionals from the following universities:
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