Greenup Farm to Table
Dinner to be Held July 15
Kathy Clayton
The Ashland Beacon
The popular Greenup County Farm to Table Dinner continues to grow, according to Jodie Hannah, president of the board of directors of the Heritage Arts and Science Center at the historic McConnell House.
“We had about 300 attend the first one,” she pointed out. “The first one was held in 2019, then 2021 and 2022. We missed 2020 due to Covid 19. It grew each year, and last year we had 750 attend. This year we expect 800-1000 people. It keeps getting bigger and bigger, and now it’s one of the biggest ones in the state.
The flyer for this year’s event notes that Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles attended the 2022 event, and said that it was the biggest Farm to Table Dinner in the state.
This year’s Farm to Table Dinner will be held Saturday, July 15, at Imel’s Greenhouse at 5 p.m. Hannah said Bud Matheny and Kenny Imel came up with the idea for the first Farm to Table event as a fundraiser and to bring attention to food grown and raised by Greenup County farmers. Matheny is a past president of the Heritage Arts and Science Center board and Imel represents Imel’s Greenhouse.
“We want to use as many locally sourced products as we can,” she said. The menu of “Kentucky Proud” food this year includes such delicious items as pulled pork, chicken breast, vegetable medley, green beans, cowboy beans, cucumber salad and rolls. Desserts include peach cobbler and ice cream provided by the Greenup Tractor Club.
The evening will include music, an auction, and will end with a fireworks display.
Funds raised from the dinner support several historic and agricultural endeavors in the county, including 4-H camp, 4-H scholarship programs, FFA (Future Farmers of America) agriculture programs, and restoration and preservation of the McConnell House. “Last year we were able to paint the exterior of the McConnell House for the first time in 30 years.”
It’s not too late for businesses, families or individuals to provide sponsorships for the event. Sponsorship levels range from $250 to $2000 dollars. Sponsors will be highlighted in publicity leading up to the event, and includes free tickets, depending the level donated, and other notations.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for kids age three to ten, and free for kids two and under. To purchase tickets, call Bud Matheny at 606. 585.1585, Kenny Imel at 606. 831.1208, or Presley Grubb at the Greenup Extension office, 606.836.0201.
“We hope this year’s Farm to Table Dinner is the best one yet,” Hannah declared.
