Low corn and soybean prices have led farmers to look for other crops to increase profitability of their farms. Non-GMO crops offer premium prices to the farmers that grow them. Union County Extension Services, in collaboration with Consolidated Grain and Barge, held a meeting to discuss non-GMO crop management practices  and market opportunities for non-GMO crops in the area. University of Kentucky's Weed Scientist, Travis Legleiter, discussed the biggest agronomic challenge to growing non-GMO crops: weed control. Different herbicide combinations and herbicide application timing was discussed with the farmers. Consolidated Grand and Barge discussed marketing opportunities in the area for non-GMO crops and also discussed global markets and their effect on local prices.

Many local farmers attended the meeting. Farmers were able to use the information to decide if non-GMO specialty markets were something they would be interested in growing in future seasons. The meeting gave producers valuable information on non-GMO crops profitability and specific management strategies for these crops.