cost to attend |
Keynote speaker |
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We are pleased to confirm that we will be able to keep the attendance cost level once again this year.
With pre-registration (prior to 12/31/17), the cost to attend will be $55 per attendee for an all-day Thursday workshop and $45/day per person for Friday and $45/day per person for Saturday. These prices include morning and afternoon refreshments and snacks, and a full lunch buffet. A student rate of $25/day is also offered with valid identification. request additional informationBuchananco@missouri.eduIf you would like to receive information about our 2018 Great Plains Growers Conference as well as future conferences, please click here to be added to our mailing list.
frequently asked questionsPlease see our FAQ page for answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have additional questions, please contact the Buchanan County Extension at (816) 279-1691 or email Buchananco@missouri.edu
2018 Great Plains Growers Conference is sponsored in part by SARE 
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Key note speaker: Dr. John Ikerd Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, was raised on a small dairy farm in southwest Missouri and received his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri. He worked in private industry for a time and spent thirty years in various professorial positions at four different state universities before retiring in early 2000. Since retiring, he spends most of his time writing and speaking on issues related to sustainability with an emphasis on agriculture and economics. He is the author of six published books, which include: "Sustainable Capitalism”, “A Return to Common Sense”, and “Small Farms are Real Farms”. A free on-line book of Dr. Ikerd can be located through his websites: http://faculty.missouri.edu/ikerdj/ or http://johnikerd.com Presentation Title: The Status and Future of Local Foods Presentation description: During the past decade, local foods replaced organics as the fastest growing sector of the American food system. However, recent USDA reports indicate a slowing in the rate of growth in farmers markets, CSAs, and other direct sales by farmers. Some local food advocates fear the movement may be saturating its small niche market, while others suggest it is simply evolving to accommodate larger markets. The future of local foods is rooted in its past. Why were local, community-based food system replaced by today’s global corporate-based food system. Why are American consumers searching for something different from the foods they are finding in mainstream markets? The future of local foods depends on the answers to these questions. The keynote address is sponsored in part by Lincoln University. 
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all-day workshops and tracks
Below is a list of the all-day workshops and tracks that are currently planned for 2018. Please note that these are not yet finalized and subject to change. As sessions are finalized, we will provide additional speaker and presentation information.
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THURSDAY ALL-DAY WORKSHOPS
Hops Potential Cover Crops and Soil Health Reducing Food Losses Honey Bees FSMA Grower Training |
FRIDAY TRACKS
Tree Fruit Organic Vegetable IPM Mushrooms Farm to School |
SATURDAY TRACKS
Organic Season Extension Greenhouse/Hydroponics Small Fruits Vegetable Production Cut Flowers |
The Great Plains Growers Conference is proudly held at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO.