Theme 33: Technology Transfer and Education
Description
Alfalfa has played an important role in providing farmers of Kentucky with a high yielding, high quality, persistent forage legume for many years. In 1980, a group of individuals under the leadership of University of Kentucky Forage Extension Specialists organized and implemented the first statewide educational event on alfalfa. This initial meeting gave rise to the Kentucky Alfalfa Conference that celebrated it’s twentieth anniversary in February 2000. This annual event has been co-sponsored by the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, along with other state and national groups including Certified Alfalfa Seed Council, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Beef Cattle Association and Kentucky Pride Hay Growers Association. It has been supported annually by many agribusiness groups. Over the past twenty years, the conference has recorded an average of 250 producers each year. Statewide hectarage of alfalfa has more than doubled and overall quality has been improved. The conference has expanded beyond the state and has become a regional event.
Citation
Lacefield, Garry D.; Rasnake, Monroe; Forsythe, Christi L.; Henning, Jimmy C.; and Talley, Bill, "Kentucky Alfalfa Conference: A Team Approach to Alfalfa Education and Technology Transfer" (2022). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/33/3
Included in
Kentucky Alfalfa Conference: A Team Approach to Alfalfa Education and Technology Transfer
Alfalfa has played an important role in providing farmers of Kentucky with a high yielding, high quality, persistent forage legume for many years. In 1980, a group of individuals under the leadership of University of Kentucky Forage Extension Specialists organized and implemented the first statewide educational event on alfalfa. This initial meeting gave rise to the Kentucky Alfalfa Conference that celebrated it’s twentieth anniversary in February 2000. This annual event has been co-sponsored by the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, along with other state and national groups including Certified Alfalfa Seed Council, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Beef Cattle Association and Kentucky Pride Hay Growers Association. It has been supported annually by many agribusiness groups. Over the past twenty years, the conference has recorded an average of 250 producers each year. Statewide hectarage of alfalfa has more than doubled and overall quality has been improved. The conference has expanded beyond the state and has become a regional event.