Curtis Milsap

Chloe Diegel

Denice Ferguson

Roger McEowen

Ryan Milholin

Mallory Rahe

Cary Rivard

Justin Keay

Wenjing Guan

Sam Oschwald Tilton

Margit Kaltenekker

Steve Diver

Robert Hickerson

Brooke Salvaggio

Sindhu Priya

KC Farm School 

Mina Aria

Tricia Jenkins

Chet Hans

John Dole

2026 Great Plains Growers Conference

Organized by Extension professionals from the following universities: University of Missouri, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Lincoln University, University of South Dakota and University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Great Plains Growers Conference Committee

Learn, connect &amp; grow at the 2026 Great Plains Growers Conference. Innovation &amp; networking await!

Missouri Western State University - Fulkerson Conference Center

Welcome to the 2026 Great Plains Growers Conference!We are excited to invite you to join us from January 8-10 for an enriching experience at the premier event for vegetable, fruit, cut flower, and specialty crop growers from across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Each year, this 3-day conference draws 350-400 dedicated growers, ranging from full-time farm market vendors to part-time diversified horticulture producers, for a deep dive into the latest industry trends and practices.Kick off the conference on Thursday, January 8th, with our full-day, topic-specific workshops, which are available for a separate admission fee.These focused WORKSHOPS offer an opportunity to delve into specialized areas:<ul><li>Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Workshop</li><li>Small Farm Livestock Workshop</li><li>Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Workshop from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM - this training is registered with AFDO</li></ul>The main conference takes place on Friday, January 9th, and Saturday, January 10th, featuring a diverse range of educational tracks. Throughout these two days, you can attend concurrent sessions covering vital topics and move freely between TRACKS:<ul><li>Vegetable Production</li><li>Protected Culture (Tunnels)</li><li>Integrated Pest Management</li><li>Diversified Agricultural Equipment</li><li>S ARE Farmer Forum</li><li>Tree Fruits</li><li>Organic/Regenerative Farming</li><li>Cut Flowers</li><li>Small Fruits</li></ul>In addition to the informative sessions, our conference also includes a vibrant trade show with over 40 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services in the industry.We look forward to welcoming you to this dynamic and long-standing event, where you’ll have the chance to expand your knowledge, network with fellow growers, and explore new opportunities in the world of horticulture and specialty crops. Don’t miss out on this invaluable chance to grow and thrive in your agricultural endeavors!Program ScheduleThursday, January 8 - WORKSHOPS (seperate ticket from Fri./Sat. conference)<ul><li>8:00 am -5:00 pm(Lunch and break snacks are included in ticket, 12:00 pm- 1:00pm) - start/stop times may vary depending on workshop</li></ul>Friday, January 9 - TRACKS &amp; TRADE SHOW<ul><li>7:30 am - 8:00 am Registration &amp; Trade Show</li><li>8 :00 am - 9:15 am Welcome &amp; Keynote</li><li>9:15 am - 9:45 am Break &amp; Trade Show</li><li>9:45 am - 12:10 pm General Education Sessions</li><li>12:15 pm-1:45 pm Lunch for all attendees w/ time to visit trade show and enjoy the Research Poster Session</li><li>1:45 pm - 3:20 pm General Education Sessions</li><li>3:25 pm - 3:55 pm Break, &amp; Trade Show</li><li>4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Structured "Farmer Networking Event" for all attendees</li><li>5:00 pm - 6:00pm Growers Association Meetings (Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa)</li><li>6:00-8:00pm Growers Innovation Night &amp; Pizza Party - all conference attendees are invited, it's included in your ticket</li></ul>Saturday, January 10 TRACKS &amp; TRADE SHOW<ul><li>8:00 am - 9:00 am Registration &amp; Trade Show</li><li>9:00 am - 10:35 am General Education Sessions</li><li>10:40 am - 11:10 am Break &amp; Trade Show</li><li>11:15 am - 12:00 pm General Education Session</li><li>12:00 pm - 1:30:00 pm Lunch &amp; Trade Show</li><li>1:35 pm - 3:10 pm General Education Session</li><li>3:30pm Conference Adjourns</li></ul>FAQsWhat does a conference ticket include? The 1-Day Conference Ticket 2-Day Conference Ticket, and all Student versions of our tickets automatically include all of the educational tracks, break refreshments, lunch, and special events (ie. Framers' Networking Forum, Grower Innovation Night and more) in the ticket price. Our individual Lunch Only or Trade Show Only are usually purchased by someone who is not attending the conference, but would like to meet up with others for lunch or maybe just visit the trade show.Is there a discount for purchasing tickets early?The ticket price is $70.00 per day for for each day of the regular conference and the cost is $70.00 for any of the workshops. For an example: It would cost $210.00 to attend one of the pre-conference workshops and both Friday and Saturday of the regular conference. These prices are good through the end of the 2025 year. Beginning January 1, 2026 the ticket price increases $10.00 for all tickets.Do students receive a discount?Yes, there is a ticket category available to students with proof of Highschool/UniversityID's to purchase tickets at a discounted price.What are my parking options?Free parking is available on the Missouri Western State University campus, with parking lots located adjacent to the Fulkerson Center on the east and south sides of the building.What is the conference security and liability policy?Normal security provisions will be in effect. University Extension and/or Missouri Western State University will not be liable for theft and will not assume any liability, legal or otherwise, for accidents of any nature. If there are issues with security or access to the building, contact MWSU campus police, 816-271-4438.What's is the conference hotel?Stoney Creek Inn 816-901-9600; mention the conference for a special room rate or visit the <a href="https://www.greatplainsgrowersconference.org/lodging-information.html" title="https://www.greatplainsgrowersconference.org/lodging-information.html" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">conference website's lodging page</a> for more information.The institutions organizing this event (Lincoln University, University of Missouri, Iowa State University, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln) are equal opportunity providers. For the full non-discrimination statements of each institution please visit;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.extension.iastate.edu%2Flegal&data=05%7C02%7Cdeniceferguson%40missouri.edu%7C5ebab3f637e644aa06e408de2c4641cb%7Ce3fefdbef7e9401ba51a355e01b05a89%7C0%7C0%7C638996877413099701%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lUEGf4fhz29BLbKf8F8rgRQgGbS3NjFaVbD%2B4oJGTZo%3D&reserved=0" title="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.extension.iastate.edu%2Flegal&data=05%7C02%7Cdeniceferguson%40missouri.edu%7C5ebab3f637e644aa06e408de2c4641cb%7Ce3fefdbef7e9401ba51a355e01b05a89%7C0%7C0%7C638996877413099701%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lUEGf4fhz29BLbKf8F8rgRQgGbS3NjFaVbD%2B4oJGTZo%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">www.extension.iastate.edu/legal</a><a href="https://extension.missouri.edu/equal-opportunity-ada-institution" title="https://extension.missouri.edu/equal-opportunity-ada-institution" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">extension.missouri.edu/equal-opportunity-ada-institution</a><a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lincolnu.edu%2Fcooperative-extension-and-research%2Fcooperative-extension%2Fdiversity-programs.html&data=05%7C02%7Cdeniceferguson%40missouri.edu%7C5ebab3f637e644aa06e408de2c4641cb%7Ce3fefdbef7e9401ba51a355e01b05a89%7C0%7C0%7C638996877413130526%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Xtgf6WkfMf50lxvzY%2FIIsXWP3qjNC%2F2phsUTbZP0jjs%3D&reserved=0" title="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lincolnu.edu%2Fcooperative-extension-and-research%2Fcooperative-extension%2Fdiversity-programs.html&data=05%7C02%7Cdeniceferguson%40missouri.edu%7C5ebab3f637e644aa06e408de2c4641cb%7Ce3fefdbef7e9401ba51a355e01b05a89%7C0%7C0%7C638996877413130526%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Xtgf6WkfMf50lxvzY%2FIIsXWP3qjNC%2F2phsUTbZP0jjs%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">lincolnu.edu/cooperative-extension-and-research/cooperative-extension/diversity-programs.html</a><a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fequity.unl.edu%2Fnotice-nondiscrimination%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdeniceferguson%40missouri.edu%7C5ebab3f637e644aa06e408de2c4641cb%7Ce3fefdbef7e9401ba51a355e01b05a89%7C0%7C0%7C638996877413155462%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DxEogKmF3rbmFP7U2Q6cMw8D%2F50RdpU1dEOOBWco1HU%3D&reserved=0" title="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fequity.unl.edu%2Fnotice-nondiscrimination%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdeniceferguson%40missouri.edu%7C5ebab3f637e644aa06e408de2c4641cb%7Ce3fefdbef7e9401ba51a355e01b05a89%7C0%7C0%7C638996877413155462%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DxEogKmF3rbmFP7U2Q6cMw8D%2F50RdpU1dEOOBWco1HU%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/</a>Reasonable accommodation will be provided for people with disabilities and special needs. To request accommodation, please contact the Buchanan County MU Extension office at <a href="mailto:Buchananco@missouri.edu" title="mailto:Buchananco@missouri.edu" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Buchananco@missouri.edu</a>

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

2026 Great Plains Growers Conference

More events from Great Plains Growers Conference Committee

Discover more events from Great Plains Growers Conference Committee, from Business to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Saint Joseph and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

2026 Great Plains Growers Conference

More events from Great Plains Growers Conference Committee

Discover more events from Great Plains Growers Conference Committee, from Business to other experiences you might love.

More Business events

Browse more Business events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Saint Joseph and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.