January through March seems to be the prime time for farm conferences, probably because except for a few crazies using high tunnels and other devices to extend the season to an unending thing, it’s the most downtime part of the year. But why would farmers want to spend time and money – both precious commodities in short supply on most farms – going to a conference?
There may be as many good reasons as there are good farmers, but here are a few we think are important:
•Continuing education. The more we learn the more we know we need to learn and conferences can facilitate that.
•Networking. In many locations, farmers are somewhat isolated, not just in geography, but socially. Not every citizen understands farming, and talking with folks who do is satisfying to the spirit.
•Small vacation. The work on a farm is never done, and if you’re too far away to tackle that never-ending list of tasks, you can’t feel guilty about resting a little.
Because going to a conference can be a significant expense, you want to get the best value. Your first task is to choose your conference(s) carefully. Make sure the type of conference matches your type of farming. You’ll get the most out of your sessions and networking if the paradigms are close to yours. Also, if possible, ask farmers who have been to a particular conference whether they found it to be worthwhile. Fancy advertising and brochures aren’t nearly as good an indication as a fellow farmer’s good opinion.
Think about attending with a small group. That way you can divide up when there are several sessions that interest you in the same time period. After the conference, you can get together for dinner and a debriefing session. Be sure everyone is willing to take good notes and you can really expand the knowledge gained.
When possible, make preliminary decisions on sessions before you arrive. If you don’t have the information to do that ahead, it’s your first task after registering. We always make a “cheat sheet” with sessions (and alternates), locations and times so we’re not studying the brochure in the halls between sessions. The halls are better places for the next topic: networking.
Networking or just old fashioned “visiting” with other farmers is the highlight of our conference experiences. We learn so much talking with other farmers. Some will be old friends we only see at conferences, and others are new friends that we may never see again, but will remember and appreciate for their knowledge.
When in a session, try to be an active rather than passive listener. Think about the information you are being given and how you can apply it to your operation. Make a NOTE when you have a great idea so you can remember it later and relay it to your group. Also, if you have a question that hasn’t been addressed, be sure to ask it (within the guidelines of that session). It’s likely that you are not the only person in the room with that particular question, so be brave, speak up! Sometimes that question can help the speaker also, both in tailoring the session to the audience, and in refining the presentation for the next time he/she uses it.
While we’re on the subject of speakers, don’t be afraid to approach them afterwards in the hall, at meals or in other free times for more conversation. If they didn’t like to talk about what they do, they wouldn’t be speakers. Most likely, they’ll be happy to converse with you about their topic. And, often, they may not know many people there and will be glad for the conversation and chance to learn from you.
Try to arrive a little early for sessions to get the best seating. It’s not fun (although we’ve often done it) to stand for an hour or more. If by chance, you are in a session that doesn’t serve your needs, don’t feel you have to sit and suffer. It’s your conference, and you probably have an alternate session for that time block. If you don’t, networking with other farmers in the halls is a better use of time than a session that just isn’t right for you. We often sit close to a door if we’re not sure about a session. Just be courteous in your exit so it doesn’t disturb the other listeners.
It’s really nice to go to meals in groups. We all like to eat with folks we know, but invite some who are new as well. Eating together is so much fun, and you will learn so much from others in a very congenial atmosphere. There’s just something special about sharing a meal….
Be sure you visit the vendors if there is a trade show at your conference. Often vendor fees are a significant contribution to the expense of hosting a conference. If the traffic through their area is good, they’ll likely return – which helps assure the conference will return. It may also be your best shot at looking at equipment, supplies, etc., that you’ve only seen in a catalog and talk with a representative about the items. We always love the vendor area – there’s just something about farm equipment….. And, often they’ll have special conference pricing and you can get a deal on something you need, but were waiting till you could afford.
Collect literature. Whether it’s handouts from the speakers or literature from vendors, if it interests you, pick it up. Our suggestion, however, is that you have a plan for organizing it once you get home so you can find it again. Maybe a 3-ring binder with the conference name on it. Then you can punch your literature and notes and keep them all together. Wow, that’s such a good idea we may even organize our conference stuff this year!!
Try to be rested the days before your conference. Usually we find attending so stimulating that we stay up later than normal and go at a fast pace, trying to get it all in. If you are rested in the beginning, you’ll have more tolerance for the short nights and recover faster afterwards.
Please don’t assume that you just can’t afford to go to a conference. Many of the regional ones have scholarships that can help you finance attending. Think about being a presenter. Maybe you are doing something really unique in your operation that would help other farmers. Speakers typically get their registration paid for, so that’s a really good way to afford going. You may find you really enjoy speaking! One of our strategies is to put money back each market day in summer for vacation, and a conference can be the best vacation you ever have! A few dollars each week can really add up over a summer. The important thing is that you try to go.
Finally, even after all the verbiage about making sure you attend a conference that is right for you, it doesn’t HAVE to be a farm conference. In October we attended a Local Foods, Healthy Farms conference organized by the Kentucky Sierra Club because Alison was asked to speak. It was mostly non-farmers who were interested in local foods, and it was a very inspiring conference. We’ll plan to go again. It was wonderful to see 500 non-farmers spending their Saturday to support local farmers. Made us proud to be growing food!
Try a conference. We know it will make you a better farmer and it will be a bright spot in your farming year. 

The Wiedigers are the owners of Au Naturel Farm in Edmonson County, Kentucky. Their book about high tunnel production, Walking to Spring, is avalable from GFM for $20 postpaid. Order online at www.growingformarket.com; by phone at 800-307-8949; or by mailing a check to GFM, PO Box 3747, Lawrence KS 66046.