Farm to Table, the event which showcases agriculture and locally sourced produce, is set to return on Saturday, July 15 at 6pm. The event began in 2019 due to a joint effort from Kenny Imel of Imel’s Greenhouse on Route 1 in Greenup and Bud Matheny of the Historic McConnell House near US 23 in Wurtland, Ky. “Kenny approached me about putting on a Farm to Table Dinner when I was President of the McConnell House, and that’s what we did,” Matheny said. “We put up tents on the lawn and had dinner.”
Matheny said they were able to feed between 200 and 300 people for the first dinner, but then they were unable to follow up due to the onset of the pandemic. “But then in 2021 we started holding it in Kenny’s greenhouse.” The greenhouse Matheny referred to isn’t the first location on Route 1 where Imel had been in business for years, but rather an additional location close to the primary one able to accommodate a larger number of guests. “The last two years we have fed over 800 people each year,” Matheny said. “And last year we brought in $52,000 dollars, with about $8,000 in expenses.” That number, Matheny said, was greatly impacted due to sponsors of the annual event.
Matheny said that they were able to donate approximately $15,000 each to 4H, FFA, and the McConnell House in Greenup, Kentucky.
Each year the event showcases local talent, speakers in the field of agriculture, and of course a delicious bill of fare provided by local growers. This year’s speakers will include Brian Lacefield from the Kentucky Department of Ag Policy, Executive Director David Beck of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, and Greenup County Judge Executive Bobby Hall will open the ceremonies and speak about Greenup County and agriculture.
A&W Meats, off the Industrial Parkway (a Kentucky Proud member), will be providing pork and hotdogs from their new line of hot dogs to headline a good menu this year. “We will be having pulled pork, 6 ounce boneless/skinless chicken breast, hotdogs (with buns, sauce, and condiments), green beans, a vegetable medley, cold cucumber salad, cowboy beans (with sausage and hamburger), several different homemade cobblers, and freshly made ice cream courtesy of G.O.T.E.M. They have a gas-powered churn,” Matheny said. “And they make delicious ice cream.”
Along with the speakers and food, there will be entertainment, an auction, and fireworks at the end of the evening. “There will also be local vendors as well as people from the local Farmer’s Market, and a chainsaw artist Gary Bishop,” Imel said. “So, it will definitely be a full evening with something for everyone.” To purchase tickets, everyone is encouraged to contact Bud Matheny at 606-585-1585, call Imel’s Greenhouse, purchase them at the Extension Office, or from a 4H or FFA student. Sponsorships are still available as well, Imel said, beginning at bronze level ($250) up to Honored Sponsor ($2,000), and to be a sponsor simply contact Matheny or Imel.
The event is an all-around win for Greenup County, the community, and anyone else involved in agriculture. Patrons get to enjoy fresh, wholesome food, live entertainment, and a perhaps overlooked aspect of the event as well, networking. “The food is always wonderful, and the local talent is great,” Imel said. But there will also be bankers there who have experience with farm loans, attorneys, businesspeople, and Ag industry people as well. You’ve got all the elements you need, and the right people, to make things happen.”
On a more personal note, Imel said what he and Matheny hoped for the event was to raise funds for The McConnell House, 4H and FFA and to promote local and Eastern Kentucky. “But it is a win for everyone in the picture,” Imel said. “Organizations get together with the community, and the 4H and FFA use the funds to defray the cost of their camps and scholarship. And the McConnell House uses their funds for things like repairs and maintenance to the house.”
Tickets for the Farm to Table dinner are $35 dollars for adults and $25 dollars for children, with tickets included for each level of sponsorship. Imel, Matheny, and everyone else involved encourage local residents -and everyone else – to come out and see just what Greenup County has to offer.
Farm To Table is Saturday, July 15 @ 6 p.m.
