Registration opens for Great Plains Growers Conference
By Denice Ferguson University of Missouri Extension Submitted to Corner Post
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Registration is now open for the 2025 Great Plains Grower Conference Jan. 9-11 on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
The three-day conference draws vegetable, fruit, flower and specialty crop growers from across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Nebraska.
“Every year, this conference attracts 350-400 committed growers, from full-time farm market vendors to part-time diversified horticulture producers, who come together to explore the latest trends and practices in the industry,” says Denice Ferguson, an agricultural business and policy specialist at the University of Missouri Extension.
The conference kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 9, with three, pre-conference workshop options focused on specialized areas including hard cider, marketing and nut orchards. The main conference takes place on Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11, with a diverse range of educational tracks.
“There’s a wealth of information available to growers on the latest trending topics, but our conference offers them a research-based, unbiased evaluation of these concepts and their practical applications before they commit to any investments,” says Ferguson, chair of the conference.
The conference also features a trade show for horticultural growers, showcasing the latest products from over 40 vendors.
“Several aspects that make this conference a favorite among attendees include the promise of an engaging and insightful industry speaker to kick off the event with the keynote address on Friday,” says Ferguson. “Also, there are dedicated grower association meetings for Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas, as well as the popular Growers Innovation Competition and Pizza Party. All of this is included in the registration fee, which also covers an unlimited buffet-style lunch and refreshments during breaks throughout the conference.”
MU Extension horticulture specialists who help with the conference are Juan Cabrera-Garcia, Kathi Mecham, Justin Keay, Ramon Arancibia, Gwen Funk and Todd Higgins.
Extension professionals from Iowa State, Kansas State, Lincoln University, and University of Nebraska – Lincoln also serve on the conference committee.
To register, visit https://www.greatplainsgrowersconference.org and follow the annual conference on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GreatPlainsGrowersConference/. For more information, you can also call 816-279-1691.
