Greenup County Farm to Table A Community Feast with Heart

Greenup County Farm to Table

A Community Feast with Heart

Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

Bud Matheny, with the Historic McConnell House in Wurtland, Kentucky, is gearing up for what he calls one of the most exciting events of the year—Greenup County’s Farm to Table Dinner. While Farm to Table dinners are held across Kentucky, Greenup County’s version holds a special distinction: it's the largest of its kind in the state.

“We always go bigger and better,” said Matheny. “And one of the things we’re doing this year to recognize our sponsors is putting together a book that each attendee will take home.” He expects to print 600 copies—one for each guest.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, July 26, at Imel’s Greenhouse in Greenup**. Matheny credits greenhouse owner Kenny Imel as one of the driving forces behind its continued growth and success.

“Kenny really loves the Farm to Table,” Matheny said. “And he works hard all year to come up with new ideas to make sure everyone enjoys themselves.”

“We’ve changed things up a bit this year,” Imel added. “We’ve added more vendor space. They’ll be set up in the greenhouse so people can shop a bit.”

Entertainment is also expanding. “Jonathan Cox is going to provide some of the entertainment, and the kids will also be performing,” said Imel. “We invited the Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner, but he hasn’t confirmed yet. We’re also planning a live auction with some pretty nice items donated by local businesses.”

And of course, no Farm to Table event is complete without a feast of local flavors. This year’s menu is sure to satisfy. “We’ll have pork tenderloin sandwiches, chicken breast, and ‘cowboy beans’—which are baked beans with sausage and beef,” Imel said.

But that’s just the beginning. “There will also be cucumber salad and homemade ice cream made by the G.O.T.E.M. Tractor Club,” Imel added. “Roasted potatoes from the Greenup County Work Farm, and fresh watermelon and cantaloupe slices, too.”

Sponsorship has increased this year—a sign, Imel says, that more local businesses see the value in investing in their community. “We’ve got a lot of partners this year that see the importance of investing in our local youth,” he said. “They understand the value of growing our community. And at the end of the day, that’s what Farm to Table is all about.”

Proceeds from the event benefit Greenup 4-H, Greenup FFA, and the Historic McConnell House, helping ensure these programs continue to shape the next generation of community leaders.

“Number one, we want to teach young people leadership and responsibility,” Imel said. “We want to encourage them to stay in the community, build businesses here, and continue making this area viable. We love welcoming visitors, but if you build it local, it stays. Because this is their hometown—and they take pride in that.” That local pride, he said, can inspire others to make Greenup their home, too.

Shawna McCormick, who works with the Greenup County 4-H Program and serves as President of the Livestock Club, echoed those sentiments.

“It’s not just the impact on 4-H that’s important,” McCormick said. “It’s the impact this has on the entire community. We have the best community support we’ve ever had—and that extends from Farm to Table all the way to our Livestock Sale at the Fair. We just have a great community that always shows up to help our kids.”

“When we promote these programs, it means a lot to the kids and their families,” she added. “There are so many other places they could be, but they consistently choose to be in the barns and in the fields. We love seeing them involved in something that will stay with them for life.”

Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Greenup County Farm to Table Dinner.

Tickets:

$35 each

Date:

Friday, July 26, 2025

Doors Open:

5:00 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies:

6:15 p.m.

Dinner Served:

6:30 p.m.

Location:

Imel’s Greenhouse, 2836 KY Route 1, Greenup, KY

For vendor information, contact Shawna McCormick at 606.315.0205.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling Imel’s Greenhouse directly.