By RYAN SKAITH
The Great Plains Growers Conference returns to return to St. Joseph this week, offering a three-day event dedicated to farming, community, and the stewardship of the land.
The 2026 conference will be held from Jan. 8–10 on the campus of Missouri Western State University.
The program begins Thursday, Jan. 8, with a series of full-day workshops. These include CSA School, Small Farm Livestock management, and FSMA Training via the Produce Safety Alliance Growers Training Course. The sessions are designed to provide deep dives into foundational agricultural practices and safety regulations.
A highlight of this year’s event is the keynote address by Curtis Millsap, owner of Millsap Farms in Springfield, Missouri. His presentation, titled “Farming as a Sacred Trust: Building Community at the Intersection of Land, Food & People,” will anchor the conference’s mission of connecting sustainable agriculture with community well-being.
Following the workshops, Friday and Saturday will feature a diverse array of specialized conference tracks.
- Friday, Jan. 9: Sessions will cover Tree Fruit, Vegetable Production, Business Development and Marketing, Diversified Ag Equipment, and the SARE Farmer Forum.
- Saturday, Jan. 10: The focus shifts to Small Fruit, Cut Flowers, Integrated Pest Management, High Tunnel Production, and Organic/Regenerative Agriculture.
Registration for the 2026 conference is currently open. For more information or to sign up, you can contact the Buchanan County Extension at (816) 279-1691.
