**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO EDUCATE A DIVERSE GROUP OF SMALL FARMERS THAT ARE UNREACHED OR NOT TARGETED BY TRADITIONAL AND HISTORICAL PROGRAMS AND TO HELP THEM TO MAKE A BETTER LIVING FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THESE INCLUDE SMALL FARMERS WHO ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN, HISPANIC, ASIAN, NATIVE AMERICAN, REFUGEES, WOMEN, LOW LITERACY, AND LIMITED-RESOURCE IN KENTUCKY AND SURROUNDING STATES. OTHER 1890 AND 1862 INSTITUTIONS WILL PARTICIPATE. THE CONFERENCE WILL BE OFFERED BOTH FACE-TO-FACE AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA VIA YOU-TUBE LIVE. DIVERSE SMALL FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONS WILL SERVE ON THE PLANNING AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE CONFERENCE ALSO SERVES A TRAIN THE TRAINER ROLE BY TRAINING AGENTS, AGENCIES, AND MENTORS WHO SERVE THIS CLIENTELE.THIS CONFERENCE HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN THE LARGEST GATHERING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN FARMERS IN KENTUCKY. HOWEVER, AS IT IS OFFERED ON A TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FEELS THAT THIS MAY BE LIMITING THE PARTICIPATION OF YOUNGER FARMERS AND FARMERS WITH OFF-FARM JOBS. TO ADDRESS THIS, THE CONFERENCE IS BEING MOVED FROM THE HISTORICAL DATES OF NOVEMBER 14 - 16, 2023 TO THE NEW DATES OF NOVEMBER 16 - 18, 2023 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WEEKEND AND END OF THE WEEK LEAVE PERIODS. THE COMMITTEE EXPECTS THIS MOVE TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION BY 30% TOTAL, AND BEGINNING FARMER PARTICIPATION BY 30%.RATIONALE AND APPROACH: THE 25TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS AN INSTITUTION AT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY. KSU IS ONE OF THE TWO NORTHERN MOST 1890'S IN THE NORTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN REGIONS. THIS ALLOWS FARMERS AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THEM IN KENTUCKY AND THE MORE NORTHERN STATES A REASONABLE DISTANCE TO TRAVEL TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE THAT FOCUSES ON MINORITY, LIMITED-RESOURCE, WOMEN, REFUGEES, AND MILITARY VETERANS.JUSTIFICATION: TO EDUCATE THOSE LISTED ABOVE, THE 25TH ANNUAL SMALL, LIMITED-RESOURCE, MINORITY FARMERS CONFERENCE WILL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR PARTICIPATING FARMERS, AGRICULTURAL COUNTY AGENTS, CONSUMERS, AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE AREAS OF MARKETING SYSTEMS, PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, NEW TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDING THE USE OF DRONES ON THE FARM, ORGANICS, HEIRS' PROPERTY, AND USDA AND COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AGENCY PROGRAMS. THE 2023 CONFERENCE PROGRAM WILL FOLLOW THE NEEDS AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2022 SMALL FARM CONFERENCE EVALUATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS, PLUS THOSE RECOMMENDED AND SELECTED BY THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, COUNTY AGENTS, FARMERS, AND THE SMALL FARM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.ONE OF THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF SUCH A CONFERENCE IN KENTUCKY IS THAT, SINCE ITS INCEPTION. IT HAS BEEN THE LARGEST GATHERING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN FARMERS IN KENTUCKY. IT ALSO HAS A LARGE FOLLOWING OF WOMEN AND MILITARY VETERAN FARMERS, PLUS OTHER MINORITY GROUPS INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE LIMITED-RESOURCE. THESE GROUPS OF FARMERS ARE OFTEN MISSED BY TRADITIONAL OUTREACH METHODS, OR HAVE SPEAKERS THAT DON'T LOOK LIKE ME. THIS CONFERENCE WILL OFFER AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NETWORKING AMONG FARMERS AND FA,RMERS WITH PROFESSIONALS AND USDA AND STATE AGENCIES.