The upcoming 2024 Heart of America Grazing Conference, hosted by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, invites producers to learn more about improving regenerative agricultural practices. This regional conference rotates annually among Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri. 

Event registration is now open for the conference located at the Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, on Oct. 15-17. 

During the three-day conference, participants can learn more regenerative agricultural practices including pasture ecology, soil health, hay and storage feed, forage research, baleage and extended grazing systems, and more.  

“This event will illustrate emerging science and research practice by bringing abstract concepts to life,” said Chris Teutsch, forage specialist and extension associate professor at Martin-Gatton CAFE. “Kentucky has some of the best grass in the country. Producers will have a great opportunity to learn more regenerative agricultural and grazing practices on beautiful farms and facilities in Kentucky.”  

This year’s conference invites a dynamic speaker lineup of UK specialists, industry representatives and Kentucky producers. Agenda includes: 

• Pasture Ecology Workshop (Oct. 15): This course offers an immersive experience to learn more about ecological systems at a local regenerative agricultural operation at Glenmar Farms, a regenerative cow-calf operation owned by the Pyles family in Cecelia, Kentucky. Extension leader and professor Matt Poore from North Carolina State University will lead this tour. The Heart of America Banquet will occur in the evening at the Hardin County Extension Office. Jimmy Henning, forage extension specialist at Martin-Gatton CAFE, will speak about capturing the beauty of forages. Individuals will also be recognized at the banquet for their dedication to promoting regenerative agriculture. The ecology workshop is $100 and banquet is $50. 
• Heart of America Grazing Conference (Oct. 16): The Hardin County Extension Office offers several education seminars with industry experts and speakers. The keynote speaker is soil scientist and conservationist Ray Archuleta, who will discuss regenerative agriculture best practices. Kentucky regenerative rancher and grassland expert Greg Brann will present multi-species grazing. Additional UK faculty and guest speakers will talk about soil health and pasture ecology. The Heart of America Grazing Conference is $75 and includes a light breakfast and catered lunch. 
• Pasture Walk at Greg Brann's Big Springs Farm (Oct. 17): The Adolphus, Kentucky, farm offers participants a chance to see an established, multi-species grazing operation with two of the nation's foremost experts on soil health, Greg and Debbie Brann. The Branns manage more than 13 species of livestock in a pasture-based system, selling meat, dairy, produce, wool and other farm products direct-to-consumer. Participants will see their working dairy, silvopasture establishment and discuss warm and cool season grass management. The pasture walk is $45. Lunch is included and will be catered by River Cottage Farm Catering, featuring protein, dairy and vegetables from the farm. 

Event details and registration can be found at https://2024HeartofAmerica.eventbrite.com.

To register by mail, send the phone number and payment to KFGC at the following address: Caroline Roper, UKREC, PO Box 469, Princeton, KY 42445. Please specify "Heart of America Grazing Conference" in the check memo line. 

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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.