The Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo is sold out.
The conference is at capacity limits, so we are unable to accept walk-in registrations.
We are excited for this first-ever event.
Thank you to our sponsors!
January 25-28, 2023 Little Rock, AR
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Arkansas Grown program is partnering with Arkansas agriculture associations and organizations to host the first-ever Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo! The Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo is open to all parties interested in the Arkansas agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, and focuses on the farmers and producers who grow for our local food system.
The four-day conference and expo will be held in west Little Rock at the Embassy Suites. There will be workshops, speakers, off-site farm tours, a vendor trade show, delicious food, and even an Arkansas wine tasting.
VENDOR INFORMATION
Wednesday, January 25
- Setup – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Vendors Showcase – 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Vendors Showcase – 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 pm.
Thursday, January 26
- Show open – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm
Friday, January 27
- Show open – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Registrant tours leave at 1:30 p.m. Vendors may stay later as not all attendees will go on the tours.)
Saturday, January 28
- Show open – 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Vendors will need to move out by 3:00 p.m.
Interested a Vendor Booth?
The conference is at maximum capacity for vendor booths.
Registration is now closed.
Deadline: January 11, 2023.
Registration is $190 per person and includes meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and transportation to farm tours and evening events. Registration is required for all attendees regardless of age. Discounts are not available.
Hotel Information
Embassy Suites in west Little Rock
The rate for the Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo registered attendees is $98 per night plus tax (15%). This rate is good through January 11, 2023. Rooms will be charged at prevailing rate after January 11, 2023.
Meetings and Workshops
Wednesday, Jan 25
Opening Session: 3:00 p.m.
Secretary Wes Ward and Department Division Directors on How the State Supports Our #1 Industry
Networking in Trade Show
Hospitality Suite hosted by Arkansas Agritourism Association
Welcome Dinner 6:00 p.m.
“What I’ve Learned from 9,000 Years of Farming”
Randy Frazier– Humorist, Naturalist, Storyteller, and native Arkansan
Thursday, Jan 26
Opening Session: 8:00 a.m.
Roby Brock, Talk Business & Politics, the Market at Chenal, on Business Trends from a Market Manager’s Perspective
Lunch Session: 12:00 p.m.
Julia Kurnik, World Wildlife Fund, on the Next California Project
Workshops include:
- Grape Growing
- Winemaking
- Produce Safety
- Protecting Your Farm Legally
- Navigating the Workforce
- Resources for Business Success
- Strawberry Production
- Pecan Growing
- Livestock Production
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Infrastructure Needs
- Food Security
- Advertising and Promotion
- Grant Writing
Equipment Expo
Arkansas Grown Dinner and Wine Tasting with Dr. Renee Threlfall
Dr. Deacue Fields, UA Division of Agriculture, Sharing the Land Grant Mission
Friday, Jan 27
Opening Session: 8:00 a.m.
Federal Support from the USDA
Dr. Dewayne Goldmon, Senior Advisor for Racial Equality, USDA
Doris Washington, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency
Michael Sullivan, State Conservationist, USDA NRCS
Steve Mosher, USDA Rural Development
Danielle Coco, Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA)
Lunch Session: 12:00 p.m.
Jeff Jackson, Arkansas Dept of Health, on the Food Freedom Act
Glen Howie, State Broadband Director, on the State Broadband Plan
Meetings and workshops include:
- AR Farmers Mkt Assn Annual Meeting and Workshops
- AR Agritourism Assn Annual Meeting and Workshops
- ArCOP Annual Meeting
- Selling Wholesale
- Selling Direct to Consumer
- Selling to Restaurants
- Vegetable Production
- Floral
- Blueberry Production
- Procurement
- Farm to School
Saturday, Jan 28
Meetings and Workshops include:
- AR Blackberry Growers Assn Annual Meeting
- Blackberry Production
- Blackberry Pruning
- Blackberry Fertility Trials
- UA Breeding Program Updates
- Pest Management
- Value Added Products
- Trellising
- Tunnels
- Tree Fruit Production
- Growing Peaches in Arkansas
- Growing Apples in Arkansas
- Protecting Pollinators
- Chestnuts and Elderberries
Events and Farm Tours
Thursday Evening Event
Equipment Expo and Arkansas Grown Wine Tasting and Dinner
Friday Farm Tour
First Stop
Barnhill Orchards is a veteran-owned, family-run operation established in 1980. Barnhill Orchards is one of central Arkansas’s top producing quality fruit and vegetable suppliers to local customers, community neighbors, restaurants, and schools!
Friday Farm Tour
Second Stop
The Nurserie is a working aquaponics farm, garden center, homebrew shop, and local foods market.
Friday Evening Event
Arkansas Grown Dinner at UA Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute showcasing our Arkansas farmers and spotlighting Arkansas craft beer.
Many Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Friends of Arkansas Grown
Meet Our Vendors!
