In an effort to promote local farms and increase the awareness of agriculture, local businesses and organizations within Greenup County a partnership was formed between some wonderful organizations.  4-H, FFA, The Historic McConnell House, Farm Bureau, Sweet Bee Gardens, Greenup Old Tractors Engines and Machinery Club, and Imel’s Greenhouse partnered together to plan and implement a Farm-to-Table Dinner that would not only increase agriculture awareness in the community but generate much needed funds for 4-H, FFA, and The McConnell House.  

The first annual Greenup County “Farm-to-Table” event was a great success.  Approximately 400 people attended the event; and showed their support for the organizations mentioned above.  They raised over $2,000 for each of the three non-profit organizations, and were very successful in increasing the awareness of the Greenup County agricultural community.  All the food for the event was sourced locally and prepared fresh.  4-H and FFA members helped prepare for and work the event.  They snapped beans, shucked corn, cut up produce, set up tables and much more!  

Representatives from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture spoke during dinner, and also took part in a fun game that everyone enjoyed.  Commissioner of Agriculture, Ryan Quarles, gave an update on what is going on in agriculture in Kentucky; and Warren Beeler, from the governor’s office of Ag. Policy, was the keynote speaker.  The Greenup Farm Bureau helped tremendously with the event, and a grant from the KDA helped pay for the cost of the food.  

Feedback from the event has been great.  Commissioner Quarles was shocked that it was our first year hosting the event.  He said, “It looked like you all have been doing this for ten years!”