Eight Associations Join Forces for Annual Pick TN Conference
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
The Pick TN Conference holds the title of the largest agriculture conference in Tennessee with eight member associations joining together to learn from and share ideas with one another. Beginning in 2016, the Pick TN Conference was created in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA), University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Center for Profitable Agriculture and Tennessee State University to provide support, education, training and networking for farmers and farmers market managers in the Volunteer State.
In less than a decade, the annual gathering has more than doubled in size, with 300 attendees the first year to more than 800 attendees in 2022.
“Each year the conference grows in attendance and in the classes and resources offered,” says Amy Tavalin, Pick TN Conference director.
The value of the three-day affair is how it connects a group of people who might work together often but don’t regularly get the chance to meet up in person.
“What makes this event unique is in the bringing together of all the different associations and state partners in one room to collaborate, learn and exchange ideas,” Tavalin says.
While there, attendees can attend any class of interest to them, not simply the ones put on by their association.
“If they want to expand their farm revenue and explore beekeeping or cut flowers, there’s a class for that,” Tavalin says. “If they need to figure out how to make the most of marketing for their business, there’s a class for that as well.”
For those who are new to the yearly gathering, the conference board puts together an agenda that reaches all attendees through the “Business Essential” classes.
“These classes are geared to help all businesses with topics such as social media marketing, how to grow your audience and managing your team to be the most effective,” Tavalin says.
The 2024 Pick TN Conference will take place in February 2024 at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, Tennessee.
See more: How the Pick Tennessee Trade Show Helps Companies Grow
All Together Now
The conference is supported by Tennessee Agritourism Association, Tennessee Beekeepers Association, Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets, Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Association, Tennessee Christmas Tree Growers Association, Tennessee Flower Growers Association, Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Association and Tennessee Organic Growers Association.
Learn more at picktnconference.com.