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134th Annual Farmers Conference Returns to Mother Tuskegee
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134th Annual Farmers Conference Returns to Mother Tuskegee
Crystal Drake27 February 2026
2 minute read
Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Hundreds gathered to celebrate innovation, economic impact, and real-world solutions strengthening communities nationwide
(L-R) Ala. Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate with CAENS Dean Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, and TU President Dr. Mark A. Brown
What began in 1892 as a gathering of local farmers has evolved into a platform that shapes national agricultural strategy, builds economic stability, and prepares students to solve problems on a global scale. The 134th Annual Farmers Conference marked another defining moment in Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era—returning to campus for the first time since 2016.
Under the theme “Let’s Grow Stronger Together,” hundreds of farmers, agricultural experts, students, policymakers, and community partners gathered to witness the renewed energy, purpose, and innovation fueling Tuskegee’s rebirth.
“It is fitting that the Farmers Conference is back home,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University, as he welcomed guests. “Because Tuskegee’s Renaissance is a celebration of the powerhouse of innovation right here at Mother Tuskegee, where we are creating solutions in our classrooms, laboratories, and these fields that exponentially improve the lives of people in our communities and around the world.”
Dr. Brown emphasized that the return of the conference to Tuskegee soil symbolizes more than an event. It signals Tuskegee’s recommitment to practical education, research excellence, and nationwide economic impact, just as Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver intended.
“A Tuskegee student doesn’t just go to school,” Dr. Brown noted. “They make a consequential difference. They solve the world’s most complex problems.”
Held February 19–20, the conference transformed the Franklin Road side of campus into a vibrant hub of learning and hands-on discovery. A small tent city adjacent to the Carver Integrated Sustainability Center became the backdrop for workshops, demonstrations, tours, and the popular “Taste of the Black Belt” showcase.
First held more than a century ago as the “People's Conference,” Tuskegee’s Farmers Conference is one of the oldest gatherings of its kind in the United States. For generations, it has served as a forum where farmers, scholars, and community leaders collaborate to strengthen agricultural productivity, financial well-being, and rural resilience.
This year’s conference continued that legacy with renewed intensity—focused on STEM integration, innovation, and 21st-century problem-solving.
Conference Highlights: Solutions for a Stronger Agricultural Economy
Attendees experienced a robust lineup of workshops and demonstrations, including:
Agricultural drone technology and precision farming tools
Livestock management and conservation workshops
Financial literacy and economic sustainability sessions
4-H youth presentations highlighting Tuskegee’s Positive Youth Development Program
Networking experiences connecting farmers, scholars, and Extension professionals
Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate served as the guest speaker, commending Tuskegee’s leadership in agricultural innovation and community advancement.
Economic Impact: Strengthening Alabama, the Black Belt, and the Nation
Tuskegee’s agricultural programs continue to make measurable economic contributions to communities across Alabama and the United States:
Small Farms Outreach Program
Provides technical assistance that results in over $1 million annually in direct support to farmers, small business owners, and rural families through grants, loans, and reimbursable programs.
Future Farmers and Agricultural Specialists Program
Trains more than 60 future farmers, agribusiness owners, and Extension professionals each year, focusing on food systems, food safety, entrepreneurship, and community-based innovation.
These efforts—rooted in Tuskegee’s historic commitment to service—strengthen local economies, support food security, and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Tuskegee University is once again demonstrating that when practical education meets innovation, the result is progress that uplifts communities, advances industries, and transforms lives.
Dr. Brown emphasized that the return of the conference to Tuskegee soil symbolizes more than an event. It signals Tuskegee’s recommitment to practical education, research excellence, and nationwide economic impact, just as Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver intended.
This year’s conference continued that legacy with renewed intensity—focused on STEM integration, innovation, and 21st-century problem-solving.
Tuskegee’s agricultural programs continue to make measurable economic contributions to communities across Alabama and the United States: