Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Extension offices in District 1 held 2 field days related to apple production for both homeowner and commercial producers. The field days utilized University of Kentucky specialists and agents to introduce participants to various aspects of apple production. Topics covered in the spring field day included a hands on tree grafting workshop, wildlife control options in the orchard and early season disease control. The fall field day provided hands on learning activities related t
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Growing organic or natural produce can be very difficult especially when insects and disease attack. Several farmers in Mason County expressed interest in learning how to grow vegetables using organic methods in high tunnels. The horticulture agent contacted the University of Kentucky South Farm to set-up a time for local farmers to tour the high tunnels, then asked specialist to speak on disease, beneficial insects and general high tunnel management. Quickly the small tour turned into a fi
Author: Annette Heisdorffer
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Produce growers use greenhouses to provide ripe tomatoes to consumers early in the season to capture premium prices in the spring. Also, the structure protects plants from wind and rain, and allows for the management of fertilizer applications and water while growing plants in pots. The University of Kentucky Extension specialists and the Daviess County Horticulture agent worked with a grower who was losing about 400 pounds of tomato fruit to blossom end rot. This problem is often caused by
Author: Myron Evans
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
In our ever increasing efforts to increase agricultural income and find alternative crops, commercial vegetable production always offers many opportunities. Agent has gotten many calls from individuals requesting information on greenhouse vegetable production. The construction costs of greenhouses and production expenses often make it cost prohibitive for individuals to pursue the endeavor. However, one large greenhouse operation, Garden Gate Greenhouse, applied for and received funds for a gree
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Incubator Farm Program is a three-year farm business development program for New Americans in Louisville, KY. The program is co-facilitated by the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent and Program Manager from Common Earth Gardens, a division of Catholic Charities with support from Navigate Enterprise Services (Louisville Org. that specializes in limited resource/New American business development) and Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD). Participants in the program had t
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Growing Fruit and Vegetables in a large school garden utilized by the school food serviceby Glen RobertsMajor Program: Youth Fruit & Vegetable AccessCollaborators: Glen Roberts, ANR agent, Ashley DeBord, ANR assistant, Danny Adams, KSU Small Farm Assistant, Justin Horton, FFA Adviser/VoAg instructor, Karen Gibson, School Food Service Director, Master Gardeners, VoAg and FCS students, Terry Bertram ANR Assistant.Situation: Todays youth are unaware how good their food is grown.
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Since the establishment of the High Tunnel System­s Initiative, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or “EQIP,” many high tunnels have been built in Western Kentucky. This has not only increased the number of high tunnels built in the area but also the demand for agronomic trainings relating to this production technique.The workshop was designed to provide an educational opportunity specifically for producers who utilize high tunnels in their operations. The progr
Author: Bonnie Sigmon
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Diversification and season extension is one way for farmers to increase their income with the low market prices and increasing farm input prices. The Cornett Farms have embraced and excelled in both of these areas. The addition of hemp, greenhouse tomatoes, on farm produce sales and meat sales have helped them to remain viable. The Cornett’s are always looking for new and innovative ways to become more efficient and profitable. This made them the perfect cooperator
Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Woodford County, Kentucky faces challenges in retaining its rural land use, family farms and agricultural heritage due to rising development pressure and an insufficient number of beginning farmers able to take on new and established agricultural enterprises in the county. Extension agents in Woodford County and others in the region receive regular inquiries from individuals interested in starting farming operations in the county. However, most of these individuals are ill-prepared to be farmers
Author: Jessica Barnes
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
With the ever changing outlook of production agriculture, many producers are looking to diversify their farming operations. Each year the Harrison County Extension Service holds a field day to highlight a producer in the county and to educate others on current trends, methods, and new and interesting enterprises available to producers.This year the Harrison County Farm Field Day was held at S&L Farms. S&L Farms is a highly diverse operation that produces 5 acres of vegetables
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Sustainable water use practices are a priority for farmers across the country. Many farmers in Jefferson County use wasteful practices such as overhead watering to bring water to their crops. This is especially true of New American Farmers who have limited experience and exposure to different types of watering methods. In order to expose New American Farmers to different watering methods, the Horticulture Agent partnered with Irrigation Specialist, Dr. Brent Rowell of UK, the Jefferson Co. Soil
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
One of the biggest concerns of extension agents when working with Farmers Market members is the consideration that what is being produced is safe and healthy for consumers. One method to help ensure that this happens is by offering the Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT). PBPT is a training developed by the UK Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and the Food Systems Innovation Center. Completion of the training program allows producers to r
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
One of the biggest concerns of extension agents when working with Farmers Market members is the consideration that what is being produced is safe and healthy for consumers. One method to help ensure that this happens is by offering the Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT). PBPT is a training developed by the UK Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and the Food Systems Innovation Center. Completion of the training program allows prod
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Robin Underwood of McLean County first contacted the extension associate in 2017 asking for assistance with control of asparagus beetle in his 1-acre asparagus patch. Continued conversation revealed that the field consistently underperformed yield-wise and that spears exhibited distorted growth. A diagnostic sample collected in May tested positive for fusarium crown and root rot consistent with poor soil drainage and flooding annually experienced in the field each spring. The extension associate
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Huyck Farms is a farm market in McCracken County in the process of revitalization. Nathan is continuing a business started by his great grandfather. Two high tunnels exist on the property, one of which sits empty after the spring bedding season. Harvesting tomatoes in late fall after field production is no longer possible is an opportunity to draw customers and increase market competitiveness. Over multiple visits the extension associate worked with Nathan on trellis design and maintenance. Beca
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Andrew Ellison of Graves County grows plasticulture strawberries to supplement his income. He cooperates with local tobacco producers to utilize available labor for planting and picking. Most years, between four and six acres is planted to supply produce to vendors at the Nashville, TN farmers market. Working with the extension associate, Andrew has been able to modify weed control and fertility practices to achieve better plant growth, labor and cost savings. Notably, by monitoring plant nutrie
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Jake Shadowen contacted the extension associate in early 2017 expressing an interest in expanding his family garden into a roadside stand outside a local retail shop for 2018. Materials and equipment supplied by the Kentucky Horticulture Council aided in doubling the vegetable production area along with the inclusion of annual plasticulture strawberries. Sales will begin in May with strawberries with mixed vegetables shortly thereafter. Becoming a cooperator provided the opportunity to compare t
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
With the continuing increase of high tunnels production and with the profit potential of tomatoes, making them the produce of choice, along with the intensive practices such as two crops per year coupled with no rotation allowed because of high tunnel construction, uncontrollable soil borne diseases and insects made in ground production impossible. By following Specialists recommendations it was agreed that Soilless Culture was the only choice for a solution. Knox County became the f
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Growing crops on plastic and using drip irrigation is rarely used in our farming region. Due the planned hemp crop that will be grown using this technology, a plastic culture field day was planned to share information with area growers. Over 100 growers from 11 Kentucky counties and 2 Ohio Counties attended a regional field day in Bracken County that highlighted the requirements, machinery, and methods used for Plastic Culture crop production. Each segment of the process was ex
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Franklin County, Kentucky faces challenges in retaining its rural land use, family farms and agricultural heritage due to rising development pressure and an insufficient number of beginning farmers able to take on new and established agricultural enterprises in the county. Extension agents in Franklin County and others in the region receive regular inquiries from individuals interested in starting farming operations in the county. However, most of these individuals are ill-prepared to be farmers
Author: Gina Ligon
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The current trend for agriculture in Kentucky and the U.S. is “get big or get out”. In response to this trend, Boone County Extension worked to provide another option for producers who do not have the option to “get big”… instead, “specialize”! The Boone County Horticulture department and ANR Agent hosted the Northern Kentucky Specialty Conference for producers to learn from UK Extension specialists and industry professionals about a variety of crops th
Author: Sheri Crabtree
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Over 50 pawpaw cultivars are currently commercially available, however, the great majority of these were produced through wild selection and have inferior fruit. KSU has released three improved pawpaw cultivars (KSU-Atwood, KSU-Benson, and KSU-Chappell) that were developed through selective breeding and rigorous variety trials. After working with three commercial nurseries in Kentucky and determining their needs, we have assisted these nurseries in propagating KSU cultivars, which are now availa
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Need More Acres Winter Farming Field Day was held in December 2018. This program was hosted by Need More Acres Farm. The event was presented by Allen County Extension Agent for Agriculture, UK vegetable specialist, Soil Conservation Office, Farm Service Agency and Need More Acres Farm owners. This field day was intended for participants to gain knowledge of local farming practices and to learn about high tunnel vegetable production. According to the most recent agriculture census (2017)
Author: Andrea Stith
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A High Tunnel System, commonly called a “hoop house,” is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Since the establishment of this program many high tunnels have been built throughout the state. As these high tunnels are being constructed many producers have questions. It is a new
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A High Tunnel System, commonly called a “hoop house,” is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Since the establishment of this program many high tunnels have been built throughout the state. As these high tunnels are being constructed many producers have questions. It is a new
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Local individuals and groups approached both the Bourbon Extension and the Bourbon County Conservation District with the idea that the two organizations host a combined county wide educational event to cover several important emerging educational topics. As a result, representatives from the two organizations met several times to organize a fall ‘Farm Night’ event to meet these educational needs. Major topics included in this larger county event included: emerging
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Bourbon County Extension Service added new horticulture therapy and rehabilitation garden sites during the past year. The goal of these projects was to engage local residents in gardening and plant-based activities which would promote overall health and rehabilitation. The Extension Service partnered with two community organizations, Accutran and Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, in planning and carrying out these garden themed projects. Individual participants were in
Author: James Morgeson
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Each year the states Agents for Horticulture meets for inservice updates and to network. This year the Washington County Horticulture Agent hosted and planned the inservice with the help of Dr. Nicole Gauthier. Thirty horticulture agents and several agriculture agents attended the meeting. With the current explosion in interest in industrial hemp the second day of the program was dedicated to hemp as a horticulture crop because agents have been bombarded with hemp information reques
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Working with Kevin Gurtowski from Kentucky State University, we obtained funding to for season extension projects. A portion of the funding was used to construct cold frames/solar dryers. All ANR/Hort Agents in Districts 1 & 2 were asked if they wanted them for their educational efforts. 10 Counties responded and two for each of these counties were constructed at the RCARS Wood Utilization Center. A Zoom presentation was given so that all the Agents knew the advantage
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Taylor County Extension Office partnered with two local producers to provide agriculture education to the residents of Taylor County. The primary focus of this years Family Farm Field day was agriculture safety, along with showcasing the producers' operations. This was chosen as the theme, because everyday about 100 agriculture workers suffer a lost-work-time injury, and in 2016, 417 fatalities occurred according to the CDC. Extension agents, local first responders, RECC, the MS4 Co
Author: Christy Cassady
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Kentucky is home to 30,480 farms of 49 or fewer acres (Census of Agriculture, 2017), and the state’s small farmers rely on up-to-date production and marketing information to help them make the best decisions for their operations. Part of that decision-making process involves determining which crops to grow based on profit potential. Enterprise budgets are tools that farmers can use to help make those decisions. As part of a 2016 Kentucky Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Kentucky Departm
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Over the past 8 years, Clark County Extension Service has implemented various programs to assist fruit and vegetable farmers. Previous efforts have included various black plastic mulch demonstrations for vegetable and strawberry production, season extension technology demonstrations, a small scale market garden mentor program, various “classroom” course offerings, tours, and more. In follow up surveys from each of those programs, accessing suitable new small scale wholesa
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Hemp is a new crop for Kentucky and for the US. Urban myth describes hemp as resistant to disease and insect pests, but recent surveys and samples indicate otherwise. Since 2014, hemp acreage has increased in the commonwealth, and disease reports have also intensified. To date, over twenty-five different pathogens/diseases have been confirmed. Some of these diseases are common on a wide range of hosts, while others are unique or specific to hemp. For example, hemp
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
New crop opportunities are exciting but often come with high risk. Hemp in Kentucky is quickly becoming a major crop and these new producers are in need of good information. Henderson County Extension recognized the need early in 2017 and responded.In 2017, Henderson County had only 2 producers. Both producers made regular visits and calls to the Extension office requesting updated information on best production practices, what varieties to grow, where to find a processor, and
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Local school systems often lack funding for many areas of education. Sports field maintenance is important for athlete safety but also the aesthetics of sports fields play an important role with community pride.In 2016, the Henderson County School System contacted the Horticulture agent requesting help with developing a long-term maintenance plan for the sports fields at the high school. With limited budget and limited experience, the maintenance manager struggled to keep the fields in acc
Author: Bethany Wilson
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Pulaski County boasts a robust commercial vegetable and fruit industry. Between two farmers’ markets, several large on-farm markets, and one of the largest commercial wholesale vegetable and strawberry producers in the state, growers range from small to large and their needs can be quite different. Several trainings for Pulaski County’s commercial horticulture producers were offered during the year. A training on growing crops in hi
Author: David Hull
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Though arguably the smallest county in the Commonwealth, Gallatin County appears to be big on hemp! Over 200 acres of ground is set aside for hemp production. The vast majority of the production is for the medicinal oils the plant produces. But in order to grow hemp, a producer must complete a long and fairly complicated application process required by the Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture. This alone has swayed some producers away from growing a potentially profitable crop.Because of this, the Gall
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A local restaurant in Flemingsburg, Kentucky decided to start growing some of the vegetables that they utilize a lot in their day-to-day operations. When the owner discussed his ideas and concerns with me during a training at the local Extension office, I suggested plastic mulch as a possibility to assist in his weed control for this endeavor. Unfamiliar with the practice, and the equipment utilized in laying plastic mulch I enlisted the assistance of a neighboring ANR agent. &
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A High Tunnel System, commonly called a “hoop house,” is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Since the establishment of this program, many high tunnels have been built throughout the state. As these high tunnels are being constructed many producers have questions. It is a new growing system for them
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Kentucky has the fastest-growing Amish population in the U.S. According to the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, the population of Kentucky Amish grew by 3,060 people in the last five years and is currently 8th in population with approximately 12,060 Amish. Christian County and neighboring Todd County are two of the three most populated counties in Kentucky. Many Amish in these two counties, grow and sell vegetables and depend on these sales for their livelihood. Due to limited ac
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Flower sales are an increasingly growing commodity in Christian and Todd counties. However, to remain profitable growers need training on management practices including reducing heating and cooling costs for greenhouses. To meet this need members of the Fairview Educational Committee partnering with the Cooperative Extension Office in Christian County sponsored a flower production training which included local growers and speakers from the University of Missouri and the University of Kentucky. E
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Fruit and vegetable production sales at the Fairview Produce Auction, servicing Christian and Todd county farmers, exceeds $3 million annually. However to remain profitable growers need training on best management practices and proper use of pesticides. To meet this need members of the Fairview Educational Committee partnering with the Cooperative Extension Service in Christian County and University of Kentucky specialists sponsored a Twilight Tour training. Topics included a demonstration on sp
