CODY — For those interested in home gardening, growing season extension and small-scale food production, the University of Wyoming Extension will host a conference in Cody Saturday, April 25. Pre-conference workshops will take place Friday, April 24, in Cody and Powell.

The event is part of UW Extension’s Harvest Wyoming initiative, which provides practical, research-based resources for backyard growers, beginning producers, small-acreage landowners and any Wyoming residents interested in growing their own food.

“Whether you are a new grower or someone who wants to make growing fruits and vegetables a business, this conference has something for you,” says Jennifer Thompson, UW Extension horticulture specialist and co-organizer of the event.

Pre-conference workshops on Friday, April 24, will offer hands-on learning opportunities related to season extension, plant production, food preservation and local agricultural history. 

The main conference will be held Saturday, April 25, at the Holiday Inn, located at 1701 Sheridan Ave. in Cody. Registration begins at 7:50 a.m., followed by a brief welcome at 8:20 a.m. and lunch at noon. The event concludes at 3:30 p.m.

Conference sessions will discuss season extension structures, soils and irrigation, integrated pest management, starting plants from seed, fruit production, vertical growing, crop rotation, food safety, and evaluating enterprise performance.

Sessions are organized into four concurrent tracks; participants can attend any workshops of their choice.

The 2026 conference and workshops are free, thanks to sponsor support, but pre-registration is required. Some pre-conference workshops have attendance caps; currently, a waitlist is available for the geodome build and canning workshops.

Registration can be completed at bit.ly/harvest-wy.

A vendor tradeshow will be available throughout the day. Vendors include a variety of nonprofits and organizations involved in local food production, including Wyoming conservation districts, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Food Coalition, Eat Wyoming and others.

To view conference details and speaker information, visit bit.ly/harvest-wy. Contact Thompson at planthelp@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-2913 with questions.

About the University of Wyoming Extension

The University of Wyoming Extension serves Wyoming communities by helping residents apply university research and resources to practical problems. Since 1914, UW Extension has provided educational programs and tools to the state’s 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. From 4-H programming and pesticide safety education to food preservation and nutrition courses, Extension upholds the university’s land-grant mission by offering learning opportunities for people of all ages. UW Extension staff help Wyoming residents boost agricultural production, care for lawns and gardens, cultivate future leaders, support individual and community well-being, and develop thriving businesses. To learn more, visit uwyo.edu/uwe or call 307-766-5124.