The Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference (SEVAD) is returning to Knoxville, Tennessee, July 29–31, 2026. Each year, SEVAD brings together dairy business owners, researchers, Extension professionals, and industry partners for educational sessions, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities to help your operation grow and thrive.
This year’s topics include:
- Dairy market and small ruminant market trends
- Specialty cheese production and sensory evaluation
- Ice cream production, formulation, and sensory testing
- Farm diversification and direct-to-consumer marketing (farmers markets)
- Business and financial benchmarking tools for dairy producers
- Small ruminant management (housing, fencing, and grazing)
- Value-added dairy product development and entrepreneurship
- Branding and marketing strategies for small-scale producers
- Mentorship and internship programs in the dairy industry
Optional Pre-Conference Workshops (July 29): Choose between a hands-on Ice Cream Workshop led by Carpigiani’s expert instructors, or a Cheese & Ag-Tourism Workshop with Vaca Negra’s Wanda Otero, learning how to turn your dairy operation into a destination experience.
Optional Plant Tour (July 31): Get an exclusive look at Broadacre Dairy, the processing facility behind Weigel’s, with nearly a century of dairy heritage.
Dairy business personnel based in the Southeast may also be eligible for a scholarship to attend.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and bring new ideas back to your business. Visit the conference webpage for full details, registration, and sponsorship opportunities: https://sdbii.tennessee.edu/southeast-value-added-dairy-conference/
We hope to see you in Knoxville this July!
