KBC Sustainable Agriculture Program, 3860 Kachemak Way, Homer, AK (2026)

04/10/2026

We're so excited to get rolling with the second Southcentral Growers Conference today at the Kachemak Bay Campus.

We've got an amazing lineup of speakers and presentations today and tomorrow, some great food and of course, the chance to connect with wonderful growers community before the season takes over.

If you didn't register online already, don't worry! We are happy to take walk-in registration today and tomorrow. And if you can't make it in person, there is a virtual option. See you soon!

https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference

04/10/2026

Attention farmers and growers!
Did you hear about the Southcentral Growers Conference happening THIS WEEKEND April 10 and 11 at the Kachemak Bay Campus?

The Southcentral Growers Conference is back for its second year, bringing together an inspiring lineup of Alaska farmers and growers ready to share the hard-earned knowledge, practical skills, and innovative ideas that help Southcentral growers thrive.

This year's conference keynote speaker is Tom Zimmer of Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, who will present on his 25 years of growing food and community in Alaska.

Rockstar farmer Allie Barker from Chugach Farm will present on her regenerative agriculture techniques using raising animals and plants, while Kelli Foreman from The Last Small Farm on Kodiak Island will give us a tour of her goat dairy operation.

Bo Varsano and Marja Smet will Zoom in from Farragut Farm near Petersburg to talk about their pivot toward a crops that pay as well as teach us (finally!) how to grow carrots succesfully.

And all the way from Quebec, farmer and spreadsheet guru Dan Brisebois will talk about how spreadsheets can make your farm humm. He'll also present on cooperative farming models that work.

And there's so much more! High tunnel tours, discussions about slugs, bugs and soil health ... and back by popular demand Maggie Goedeke will continue her lesson from last year on ergonomic farming!

Whether you’re a seasoned commercial producer, a market gardener, or tending a homestead, this year’s expanded two-day conference offers something for every level of experience.
Most presentations will be streamed on Zoom as well as offered live at the Kachemak Bay Campus. The exception will be classes held in the campus high tunnel, which will be in person only.
Conference Schedule

Friday, April 10 : 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
🍽 Dinner & Keynote: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 11: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Enjoy complementary morning snacks and lunch each day, plus dinner on Friday at no additional charge. (Meals funded in part by the Alaska Farm Bureau.)

Find the latest schedule updates and more information about presenters at https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference
💵 Registration
$30 per day
Register for one or both days at: https://continuingstudies.alaska.edu/Registration.aspx?AffiliateID=ZV5677

04/09/2026

Do you farm with other people whether as partners, co-farmers, or employees?

How can you balance running an efficient & effective productive farm while letting people think independently and creatively?

Dan Brisbois will share 20 years experience farming in a worker co-op and the key tools to make it easier to farm in collaboration with other people.

This is just one of the many awesome classes on this year's Southcentral Growers Conference schedule. If you've been on the fence (that's farm humor, folks) about joining us, take a look at the full lineup and I'm sure you'll agree its worth your time.

This year's conference is April 10-11 at the Kachemak Bay Campus but there's a virtual option, too. You can see all the details at https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference and sign up at https://continuingstudies.alaska.edu/Registration.aspx?AffiliateID=ZV5677

04/08/2026

Marja Smets owns Farragut Farm near Petersburg, Alaska with her partner Bo Varsano. In 2022, the farm began transitioning from a 40 variety mixed vegetable farm to focusing on just five main crops. This quest for "profitabile simplicty" will be the topic of her presentation, and is sure to offer inspiration to for both commercial and backyard farmers alike.

This year's conference is April 10-11 at the Kachemak Bay Campus and there's a virtual option, too. Registration is $30 per day and includes lunch and dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday. You can see all the details at https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference and sign up at https://continuingstudies.alaska.edu/Registration.aspx?AffiliateID=ZV5677

04/08/2026

Kelli Foreman is a fifth-generation farmer from Nebraska who found her way to Kodiak, Alaska 20 years ago. With nothing but determination, she built a Grade A certified goat dairy and a small farm that produces beef, pork, chicken, eggs, and raw milk products. Kelli will take participants of the Southcentral Growers Conference on a virtual tour of her farm at 12:30 on Saturday, April 11.

This year's conference is April 10-11 at the Kachemak Bay Campus and there's a virtual option, too. Registration is $30 per day and includes lunch and dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday. You can see all the details https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference and sign up at https://continuingstudies.alaska.edu/Registration.aspx?AffiliateID=ZV5677

04/08/2026

After 25 years of farming in northern Alaska, Tom Zimmer has learned a thing or two.
This year's Southcentral Growers Conference keynote speaker, Tom will present "Rooted in Place: Growing Food and Community in Alaska" on Friday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer.
Founded with Susan Willsrud near Fairbanks, Calypso Farm was built to prove that education, community, and financial viability can grow side by side. Over two decades, the farm has become a hub for hands-on learning, shaped by Alaska’s diverse environment and the people who call it home.
Today, Calypso Farm and Ecology Center is a standout model for sustainable agriculture in Alaska—cultivating crops, raising Shetland sheep and dairy goats, and educating and inspiring growers at every scale.
Find out more about Calypso's inspiring story as part of two days of presentations on everything from backyard poultry to the secrets to growing perfect carrots. Find the full schedule at https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference and register at https://continuingstudies.alaska.edu/Registration.aspx...

04/07/2026

Slugs. There's a lot to say about these slimy predators, and most of its not good. Slugs can decimate everything from a tiny carrot seedling to a gigantic cabbage in its prime. They are arguably the Alaska farmer's Enemy No. 1. so let's talk slug prevention techniques.

Joey Slowick, integrated pest management technician with the
Cooperative Extension Service, will provide some interesting cutting edge research on slug prevention on a garden scale, while Casey Matney, professor of extension with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, will talk about some proven techniques for slug prevention. Homer Hilltop Farm's Carey Restino will the slug prevention program instituted on her vegetable and flower farm for those looking for larger-scale combat techniques.This class starts at 1:45 p.m. Saturday for Southcentral Growers Conference participatns.

This year's conference is April 10-11 at the Kachemak Bay Campus and there's a virtual option, too. Registration is $30 per day and includes lunch and dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday. You can see all the details here https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference and sign up at https://continuingstudies.alaska.edu/Registration.aspx?AffiliateID=ZV5677

04/06/2026

Anyone who attended Physical Therapist Maggie Goedeke's farming techniques class last year will almost certainly remember learning how to properly handle hoes, rakes and other farm implements from this lively and knowledgeable expert in her field.

Maggie's teaching technique is to get everyone moving, so we're headed down to the high tunnel for a hands-on workshop on how to preserve your most valuable farming tool - your body. She'll be rounding out our program for Southcentral Growers Conference participants, so join in and learn some body awareness at 4:30 on Saturday, April 11.

This year's conference is April 10-11 at the Kachemak Bay Campus and there's a virtual option, too. Registration is $30 per day and includes lunch and dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday. You can see all the details at https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference and sign up at https://continuingstudies.alaska.edu/Registration.aspx?AffiliateID=ZV5677

04/06/2026

Are you high tunnel curious? Kenai Feed, which sells Rimol high tunnels, will be on hand at this year's Southcentral Growers Conference to show you all the bells and whistles at the Kachemak Bay Campus high tunnel on Friday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to noon for conference participants who would like to drop in and learn more about this proven season extention tool.

This year's conference is April 10-11 at the Kachemak Bay Campus and there's a virtual option, too. Registration is $30 per day and includes lunch and dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday. You can see all the details and sign up at https://www.kbcgrows.com/southcentral-growers-conference

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