Hickman County, Kentucky, boasts over 47,000 acres of soybeans and 35,000 acres of corn, contributing to over $66 million in grain sales, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Since 2010, local County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents has collaborated with colleagues from surrounding counties—including Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Graves, McCracken, Calloway, and Marshall—along with three adult agricultural educators from West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) to organize the annual Winter Agricultural Conference. This valuable event is held at Lowry Farms in Pilot Oak, Kentucky.

The focus of the 2025 conference was on canola production, a crop that has gained significant interest in the region. With a new oilseed processing plant being developed by Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, canola production is projected to grow substantially over the next four years. The conference brought together 144 participants (115 male, 29 female), including farmers and sponsors, with the goal of equipping them with knowledge and resources to improve their operations.

The primary objectives of the conference are to enhance farm profitability, promote sustainable land and resource management, and familiarize attendees with emerging agricultural technologies. This event also offers a valuable opportunity for farmers to engage directly with subject-matter experts and learn from peers who have successfully implemented these practices on their own farms.

Survey results from the past three years indicate a strong impact, with 100% of attendees reporting they gained new knowledge from the conference. Furthermore, 89% of participants have indicated they plan to implement the information shared at the event on their own farms. When it comes to adopting new technologies, 89.2% expressed an intention to incorporate these innovations into their operations. Additionally, 93% of participants have stated they will utilize University of Kentucky recommendations for disease control in their farming practices.

The Winter Agricultural Conference continues to be a valuable educational resource, helping local farmers stay informed, enhance their productivity, and embrace best practices in agriculture.

(OpenAI, 2025)