Local farmers gather for annual West Tennessee Grain and Soybean Producers Conference

DYER COUNTY, Tenn. — If you’ve been around West Tennessee farming, you know there’s one event farmers mark on their calendars every year—and this week, hundreds of them packed the Dyer County fairgrounds for it.

We’re talking about the 2026 West Tennessee grain and soybean producers conference, and it’s become pretty much the place to be for anyone serious about their crops.

It’s no surprise that UT Extension makes this conference a priority. According to Aaron Smith, interim assistant dean of extension, this isn’t just another event on their calendar.

“This is one of our showpiece events for UT Extension. The west tennessee grain conference is one of four main conferences we run for row crop producers across Tennessee, but this is by far our largest—obviously because most of our acreage is in West Tennessee,” said Smith.

And when you walk the floor, you see why. Vendors from all corners of the agriculture industry set up shop, ready to show off the latest products and innovations.

But here’s the thing—farmers don’t just show up for the booths. They’re here to learn. We talked to one local farmer who’s been making this trip for years, and he explained exactly why he can’t miss it.

“I’ve been coming to this for many, many years just to keep up with what’s going on in agriculture. You find out about the new traits, and you learn what you’re going to be dealing with as far as weeds and pest problems year after year,” said Eric Maupin, local farmer.

For farmers like Maupin, who’s spent his whole life working the land, this conference is about something bigger than just picking up tips. It’s about staying connected.

“It’s vital in the Ag community for us to keep up with what’s going on in agriculture on our individual farms. This West Tennessee grain conference brings it right down to us here in West Tennessee,” said Maupin.

Jake McNeal, the UT Extension corn and soybean specialist, says the past couple of years have been tough on West Tennessee farmers. Rainfall has been way down, and that’s created some real challenges.

That’s exactly why events like this matter so much. It’s a chance to learn from the experts and prepare for whatever the next growing season throws at you.

The good news? This annual event stays true to its roots—it’s always free and open to anyone who wants to learn more about farming in West Tennessee.

So whether you’re a seasoned farmer or just curious about agriculture, that’s something worth marking down for next year.

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