Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Adam Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
A Food Success Livingston County ANR and EFNEP teamed up with Livingston County Judge Executive to participate in the USDA’s Farmers to Families giveaway program. This USDA program helps farming operations and families that have been affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. This program purchases fruits and vegetables that would not have otherwise been sold to viable markets and redistribute them to families that are in need. &nb
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Hello, my name is Taylor Whitley. I am the 16-year-old son of John and Shana Whitley. I am a life-long resident of Elliott County, KY, just as they and at least 4 generations. I come from a long line of farmers. My family, as well as my maternal and paternal grandparents, have always farmed as well. Tobacco, cattle and vegetable gardens have always been in my life and it's where I developed my love of gardening and farming.In 2018, I was the youngest Elliott County Farmers Market member. Not
Author: Brenda Cockerham
Major Program: Local Food Systems
60 sets of seeds, 30 gardening calendars (until supplies ran out) and informative packets were distributed throughout the community by way of the Highland Community Food Basket and the Farmer’s Market. This was in part inspired by the Victory Garden Initiative and the need to communicate that there are three gardening seasons in Kentucky. These packets contained various fall seeds, recipe cards, a measuring spoon, fall planting seed information, along with other various forms of informatio
Author: Laura Maggard
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Growing fresh fruits and vegetables became very popular during COVID-19. Families had extra time that they normally didn't have before and a lot of these folks took to the outdoors. They decided to grow gardens for the first time among other activities. The interest in food preservation quickly followed. With this information in mind The Lawrence County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent conducted a Virtual Food Preservation Workshop. This workshop was conduct
Author: Lori Bowling
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The farmers market in Boyd County opened the 2020 season with many extra guidelines for operation for both vendors and customers due to the Covid-19 crisis. Many customary market operations had to be adjusted to adhere to these guidelines to offer a safe shopping environment for the market customers and the farmers.However, the market sales were not hurt as bad as were expected due to customers staying away from crowds and gatherings. The market saw an increase in local ven
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Owsley County Farmers Market was in the process of finalizing plans for the 2020 market season, most all vendors had been through the annual training and were tying up any loose ends when all of a sudden a World Pandemic has been declared due to the spread of the Coronavirus. As we waited for instruction and the opening day got closer, the responsible thing to do was arrange a meeting with our local Health Department and our vendors to seek guidance on how to proceed. Vendors were given inst
Author: Adam Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Food safety during the PandemicBecause of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food pantry Helping Hands in Livingston County did not allow walk in clients into their facilities like they normally did. This presented a problem for them, one is Helping Hands supplies much needed help to families in need in our county. Livingston County Extension has a good working relationship with the food pantry, helping with educational opportunities, food safety materials, and food preparation classes.Livingston County
Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
A concern in the midst of the Covid19 pandemic was that there might be instability in our national food system. This created a surge of interest to purchase local foods. In response to this, the Woodford County Horticulture Agent worked with Master Gardeners and a group of community volunteers to create a website featuring foods produced in Woodford County called the Woodford FoodNet. The goal of the website is to connect local farmers and processors to the local community and beyond. The s
Author: Adam Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Providing for the Community Livingston County ANR and 4-H teamed up with Livingston County Helping Hands to participate in the Tri-State Food Banks’s Protein and Dairy giveaway program. This Tri-State Food Bank program helps families that have been affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. This program supplies several dairy and protein options as well as other useful food products such as fruits and vegetables. These are then redistributed to
Author: Bonnie Sigmon
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Individuals who have redeemed the vouchers at the market have indicated their appreciation for the opportunity to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables for their families.
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges to many people. It has changed the way we live and work. One of the challenges that has developed for UK Cooperative Extension Service Agents is how do we continue to deliver quality educational programs to our clientele during this health crisis? Most traditional face-to-face program delivery methods are not currently an option.An alternate method is electronic delivery of programs. Because most of our traditional field days were canceled due to Co
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges to many people. It has changed the way we live and work. One of the challenges that has developed for Extension Agents is how do we continue to deliver quality educational programs to our clientele during this health crisis? Most traditional face-to-face program delivery methods are not currently an option.An alternate method is electronic delivery of programs. Because most of our traditional field days were canceled due to Covid, agents collaborate
Author: Mattea Mitchell
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Throughout the 2020 year, families and businesses alike were struggling. The Four-River WAVE Ag group sought out a way to lend a hand. In replacement of their annual WAVE Ag Event, this organization asked agribusinesses and other local businesses to come alongside the organization and help connect producers with consumers.Local businesses were overwhelmingly supportive of this idea, contributing over $6,000 to the program. This enabled the WAVE Ag group to go directly to local produc
Author: Christopher Schalk
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges to many people. It has changed the way we live and work. One of the challenges that has developed for Extension Agents is how do we continue to deliver quality educational programs to our clientele during this health crisis? Most traditional face-to-face program delivery methods are not currently an option.An alternate method is electronic delivery of programs. Because most of our traditional field days were canceled due to Covid, agents collaborate
Author: Leann Martin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges to many people. It has changed the way we live and work. One of the challenges that has developed for Extension Agents is how do we continue to deliver quality educational programs to our clientele during this health crisis? Most traditional face-to-face program delivery methods are not currently an option.An alternate method is electronic delivery of programs. With the cancellation most of our traditional field days due to Covid-19, agents collabor
Author: Adam Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Food Security Livingston County ANR and 4-H partnered with the Livingston County judge executive, helping hands and several other community entities to participate in the USDA’s excess food giveaway program. We were able to obtain 2,808 boxes of food which totaled $112,179.60 and were able to serve over 2,000 families throughout our community. Just like communities all over the nation, we have seen families throughout our community struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 202
Author: Sarah Imbus
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Kentuckians are experiencing an increased trend of chronic disease and obesity. “With a population of 92,488, Campbell County’s obesity rate is 31% and physical activity rate is 24% (US Census Bureau). “Good nutrition, physical activity, and a healthy body weight are essential parts of a person’s overall health and well-being. Together, these can help decrease a person’s risk of developing serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high chol
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Pikeville Farmers Market has been a great success. 2020 has been a struggle to keep up with and accommodate all the changes to the Farmers Market as asked for by health departments, city, county, University, State and local people. The main success of the market has been keeping everyone compliant, while providing services to the local buyers. Due to Covid our numbers have been down in 2020, but our clientele have presented many ideas to help deal with the restrictions and have
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Over the past decade, people have taken more interest in preservation of foods and food insecurities. One way that the Lee County extension service has addressed this issue is with the country ham curing project.Over the past two years the Lee County Extension agents have conducted a country ham program for 25 adults and over 250 youth have participated.During the hands-on workshop, they distinguished between different types of salt and used the correct salt for curing, calculated the corr
Author: Catherine Webster
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Simpson County Extension Service partnered with the Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Prairie Farms, and Robertson Dairy to distribute dairy products and fresh produce at no cost to Simpson County residents. This opportunity was made possible through the Corona Virus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) which is part of the USDA’s COVID Relief established to help dairy producers. The giveaway was held at the Jim Roberts Community Park in September.
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Carlisle County paraprofessional provided Healthy Choices for Everybody lessons during the distribution of commodities, having an attendance of approximately 20 participants. In March 2020, the pandemic of the COVID-19 closed all physical locations for in-person sessions; therefore, the sessions could not take place. Additionally, due to the shutdown, volunteers were not allowed to prepare the commodities for distribution. Carlisle County Extension was able to fill in the gap.&nb
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Project Full Plate-Staying ConnectingDue to COVID 19 our WAVE AG Day was cancelled for July 2020. In order to stay connected to our communities the group started Project Full Plate. During the 2020 year, families and businesses have all been struggling. The Four-River WAVE Ag group wanted to show the families they could lend a hand. To replace our annual WAVE Ag Day, the group asked agribusinesses and other local businesses to come alongside the organization and help connect pr
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Local Food Systems
A farmers' market provides local communities with locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats and value-added products. The market also provides a place for producers and customers direct access where they can learn from each other. In early 2020, Covid-19 created havoc in Kentucky. Non-essential businesses shutdown, food security was a concern and uncertainty was felt everywhere. Long before the global pandemic began, the Webster County Farmers' Market had plans unde
Author: Benjamin Rudy
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Due to COVID 19 our WAVE AG Day was cancelled for July 2020. In order to stay connected to our communities the group started Project Full Plate. During the 2020 year, families and businesses have all been struggling. The Four-River WAVE Ag group wanted to show the families they could lend a hand. To replace our annual WAVE Ag Day, the group asked agribusinesses and other local businesses to come alongside the organization and help connect producers with consumers.Local business
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Mercer County farmers market had big plans for the 2020 market season. Multiple events were scheduled at the market throughout the whole summer. Then COVID arrived, however the market was still able to pursue one of their most successful programs even with COVID restrictions. Fresh to Table program is a program that brought multiple groups within the Mercer County community together to provide fresh produce to low income families. The Mercer county horticulture agent had planned a veggi
Author: Jason Vaughn
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Powell County Farmer’s market is beloved in the community for the direct access to fresh locally grown produce. The market is also a vital revenue stream for farmers in the community. The Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainty surrounding the safety of the market threatened to cancel the 2020 market season. Extension identified the need to educate market vendors, consumers and help guide the implementation of practices to ensure the safety of the community by proper logist
Author: Christan Miracle
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Covid-19 brought many changes for 2020. A food scare and shortage on the shelves of grocery stores was one the biggest problems many people faced during this time of a global pandemic. Local Farmers Markets thrived during this time, and the Lebanon, KY Farmers Market was one of those markets.In the past years, the Lebanon, KY Farmers Market had a small number of consistent vendors. On average you could find 5-6 vendors on any given market day. The products they sold were of good quality bu
Author: Meagan Klee
Major Program: Local Food Systems
“Farmers markets have become a critical ingredient to our nation’s economy, food systems, and communities. Connecting rural to urban, farmer to consumer, and fresh ingredients to our diets, farmers markets are becoming economic and community centerpieces in cities and towns across the U.S.” (usda.gov)In 2019 Casey County held a pilot Farmers Market to measure local interest and support for the program. The market was set up in a small parking lot beside city hall in downtown Li
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Breckinridge County Farmers Market was a huge success. Each time the market was open, the Facebook page was lit up with comments from vendors, comments from customers and even people in the community would comment if someone was looking for a locally grown product, they would refer them back to the Farmers Market. Finished out the Farmers Market season with the highest number of customers in years, produce still abundant. The utilization of WIC vouchers was up by 19% by the
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Lee County Kentucky citizens have below average health as compared to the other counties in the state. Lee County is also considered to have a high ranking compared to other counties in the state when it come to food insecurities. They also rank below the states mean on all health statistical categories. We at the Lee County Extension Office have addressed this problem by educating citizens on production and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by the use of raised bed gardening and garden
Author: Mary McCarty
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Menifee County Farmers Market is hitting a milestone in 2021. This will be the markets 40th year in Menifee County. The 2020 market year was tough year because of Covid but the market held tough selling $35,000 of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and other items at the market. Menifee County Extension Agents helped with crowd control and marketing videos to help understand the Covid restrictions to customers of the market. The success of 2020 is from the leadership of
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Pikeville Farmers Market completed a 4-year capacity building grant. Summaries were recently filed showing a huge success. In the last 4 years, the market has provided or taken our farmers to more than 60 trainings and workshops. A few of the trainings provided have been Produce Best Practices Training, Grant Writing, How to build Cool bots, Marketing online, Small Business trainings, High tunnels, using Facebook to sell, Small Farms Conference, Blueberry Production, Record Kee
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Food insecurity has been a challenge in Magoffin County for many years. Access to fresh food in a county that is already considered a food desert, coupled with the current pandemic, has only increased food insecurity among many families. The majority of these families are eligible for supplemental food assistance, including the Senior and WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs, which are administered by the Senior Center and the local Health Department, respectively. For the fourth cons
Author: Jason Vaughn
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is valued by Seniors and Farmers in Powell County. The program provides residents below a certain economic threshold and age, market vouchers worth $30 dollars. Seniors use the vouchers as cash at the Powell County Farmers’ Market and the farmers return the vouchers to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for reimbursement. The program is a win-win providing seniors access to locally produced nutrition while supportin
Author: Bonnie Sigmon
Major Program: Local Food Systems
A strong local food system is important to Kentucky. It supports local farmers, provides fresher nutritious food items, and strengthens the economy. The Laurel County local food system includes the farmers market, food pantry, school, restaurants, and local businesses.Farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs are required to follow state and federal regulations when offering food samples, processing, and selling food items. The University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the
Author: Tyler Miller
Major Program: Local Food Systems
I have just been employed for a little over a year now so most everything i am doing is new. I took on the task of training the farmer growers for the county’s farmers market Senior Voucher Program. I had sat through a zoom training, talked with coworkers that had handled this in the past, coordinated with farmers market representatives, and now have trained the growers. This has been something new for me and something that i have enjoyed. The farmers have all been great to work with and i
Author: Gregory Drake
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Butler County Agriculture Agent developed a Virtual Maple Syrup Workshop during the winter of 2021. The program taught clientele the basics of producing maple syrup from their own trees through a series of instructional videos and opportunities to interact with the instructor over web conferencing technology. The program was delivered by instructional videos that clients who registered for the program had access to. Clients were able to participate in the program at
Author: Ricardo Bessin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Sugarcane aphid first appeared in 2015 in Kentucky and caused devastating losses to sweet sorghum the following year. Many fields were a complete loss as growers had no labeled insecticide to combat this new invasive pest. From 2017 until 2020, I petitioned the KDA to request the EPA to grant criss and emergency expemptions (FIFRA Section 18 exemptions) to use Sivanto Prime to manage sugarcane aphid on sweet sorghum in Kentucky. Several other states followed Kentucy's lead to be grante
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In January the Family and Consumer Science agent, SNAP-ED assistant and myself (Cumberland County ANR agent) decided that since we couldn’t go into the school for lessons, we would come up with curriculum for them to do. In February we presented CCES with six lessons for each grade level (K-3) to complete about agriculture, food/nutrition, and physical activity. Over the course of four months (February to May) each grade level completed their assignments/lessons. In total, 192 students com
Author: Whitney Carman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In 2017, the Partners in Health Coalition reached out to partner with the organization to collaborate an effort to research, design and create a community garden. TLRMC (Now Owensboro Health Twin Lakes) was generous enough to donate land behind the hospital which is centrally located in the community. Local businesses and farmers donated dirt, compost, materials, and time to clear off and construct the raised bed sites. They created 12 raised bed sites, 8 large (48 square feet) and 4 small (24 s
Author: Benjamin Conner
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Based on population estimates for July 1, 2019, Scott County has a population of 57,004. This is an increase of population of 21% since the census in 2010. The growing population allows for more opportunity for local farmers to market their products to residents within the county. To help facilitate bridging the gap between farmer and consumer, the Scott County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent and the Scott County Horticulture Agent partner together to create the Farm to Fridge program. T
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In the fall of 2018, the agriculture and natural resources (ANR) agent in Cumberland County applied for the Kentucky Farm to School: Producer Engagement Grant (PEG) through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. This grant was to assist producers and school staff with serving more local produce. The initial grant was for $7,000.00. The grant application was successful in getting funded and the grant period started in 2019. For the first part of the grant, the ANR agent worked with the high scho
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Local Food Systems
https://www.wsaz.com/2021/06/15/bridging-great-health-divide-living-food-desert/https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsaz.com%2F2021%2F06%2F15%2Fbridging-great-health-divide-living-food-desert%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ckeith.center%40uky.edu%7C01ec9e8af8c34aa60b9b08d930602222%7C2b30530b69b64457b818481cb53d42ae%7C0%7C0%7C637594012361669648%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=CmLZjDIQ4bh%2BSpgXOanu
Author: Paul Vijayakumar
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a federal law transforming the nation’s food safety system. The “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption”, aka “Produce Safety Rule (PSR),” establishes for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The rule is part of the agency’s ongoing effo
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Consumer choice has shifted away from the grocery store shelves and many local farmers markets have become the target to provide safe, fresh, and nutritious food for communities across the state, and Grant County is experiencing this trend as well. The past 18 months have shifted many individual’s life choices to shift away from the current food supply. As a result an increase in the demand for locally grown fresh produce, meat, and eggs. A community wide effort was plan
Author: Paul Vijayakumar
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The OFRR (On-farm readiness review) is a voluntary assessment used to familiarize farmers with FMA-PSR (Food safety modernization act produce safety rule) requirements and highlight areas where their current practices may need attention. The goal is to provide individual farms with OFRR created tools that can help to assess their preparedness for the implementation of a new federal rule. The PSR became effective on January 26, 2016. The initial compliance dates were/are January 26, 2018 for larg
Author: Jonathan Oakes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Russell County has always had a strong heritage in vegetable production, whether it be commercial or home garden production. This year, in conjunction with Russell County Health Department, and an community volunteer, we were able to start another community garden in Russell County. What started as a single garden, more than 10 years ago has flourished into 3 community gardens in the county. With one being located at the extension office, one at a local volunteers home, and another a
Author: Traci Johnson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Producers in Oldham County and across Kentucky often need specific services and certifications to enable them to market their farm products. Despite difficulties created by the pandemic, a combination of individual and small group training and service was offered to meet these needs.Twenty-one producers completed certifications and had access to services that enabled them to sell their farm products. The Oldham County Agriculture Extension Agent provided training, with assistance fro
Author: Corinne Belton
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Rooted In Shelby is a volunteer-conceived and implemented program designed to promote the sale of horticultural, agricultural and other products produced by Kentucky Proud enterprises located in Shelby County. Areas represented can be anything grown or produced in Shelby County, including but not limited to, meat, dairy, equine, fruits, vegetables, grains, sod, honey, and artisanal farm products. A recognizable logo is used in conjunction with the Kentucky Proud logo to indicate a product&
Author: Sharon Flynt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Based on population estimates for July 1, 2019, Scott County has a population of 57,004. This is an increase of population of 21% since the census in 2010. The growing population allows for more opportunity for local farmers to market their products to residents within the county. Moreover, by disrupting food supply chains, the pandemic transformed how we grocery shop. Many more people are now looking for locally sourced food. To help facilitate bridging the gap between farmer and consumer, the
Author: Gregory Comer
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Farmer’s Markets play an essential role for in the food to consumers systems, especially in small communities. They bring urban and rural communities together, while creating economic growth and increasing access to fresh, healthy foods. USDA data show there are over 8200 Farmer’s Market listed in the National Farmer’s Market Directory nationwide, a 76% increase since 2008. The Beaver Dam Farmer’s Market flourished in 2020, even
Author: Leann Martin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Community Early Childhood Council that we, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service, seek to improve school readiness in Logan County by educating, encouraging, and engaging families. Kindergarten readiness means that each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success. The kindergarten screener measures readiness in five important domains,
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, accessing fresh local produce is very important for families. Many of them work hard at gardening in order for them to have fresh produce during the summer and to make sure that they have enough to preserve for the winter months, and even sell some of their produce along the way for an additional source of income when needed to help support their families. The Knott County Agriculture Agent strives to assist these gardeners throughout the county by help
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Eighteen different clients, representing 12 different counties, were screened and evaluated for the small fruit initiative coordinated by the KY Hort Council. Of the initial 18 applicants 16 received funding to help them meet the goals of the grant initiative. Grant funds were used by the recipients for various purposes including, cooling units, advertising, plant materials, fertilizers, pesticides, small equipment, and propagation materials. Maximum award amount was $1250 and
Author: Garrard Coffey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Rockcastle Cooperative Extension Service and The Rockcastle County Farmers Market have a relationship based upon promoting local food systems and supporting local farmers supplying fresh produce to customers. The farmers market has been steadily growing over the past 3 years, adding more vendors each year and increasing total sales. The Extension service is dedicated to the vendors of the farmers market by offering all trainings necessary for selling goods at the farmers market. &
Author: Eric Baker
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Restrictions of the COVID19 pandemic gave many people more time at home and renewed interest in growing home vegetables for their family. With increased questions about growing a garden, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Estill County ANR agent developed a Fall Victory Garden Grab-n-Go event. With assistance from the SNAP-Ed assistant, a SNAP farmer’s market mesh bag was assembled with gardening information and related incentive items to distribute to citizens first-come-fir
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In response to COVID and the desire to continue programming, the Quicksand Area Agriculture Agents decided to offer a weekly virtual program for our clients. The series has been titled, "Mountain Monday Zoom Series" and it offers participants to "explore various topics impacting farming, natural resources, gardening, agriculture, and more in the mountains." The series began on February 1 and is continued through the end of April. Topics were: Small Ruminant Management, P
Author: Melissa Morgan (Newman)
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The FSIC was contacted by a local feed manufacturer interested in producing a granola product for human consumption. Their intention is to have this product available for sale in their feed store but also available for retail sale in the community. One stumbling block to accomplish these goal was a shelf life study to evaluate how long the product retained eating quality. Performing a shelf life and subsequent taste panel study presented significant challenges during the pandem
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Local Food Systems
When the pandemic reached the US and we entered lock-down, the Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency Management Center asked for volunteers to donate their time, items or space - for whatever may come. Since the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service (FCCES) was closed to the public and Extension Agents were limited in what they could provide to the public, FCCES agents agreed to offer their time and the building space, if needed. The Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency Management Center
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Simpson County Extension Agents for Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development worked jointly to provide new programs during COVID-19, with home vegetable gardening resources being in high demand since the onset of the pandemic. As a result, our joint gardening programs began with Drive Thru Container Garden Kits where Extension provided 155 families with everything they needed to grow tomatoes last year.This year Simpson Co. Extension Agents continued our home gardening programs with squash cont
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Local food production systems have become a staple in many communities throughout the Commonwealth. As buying local food products has continued to gain popularity, the Simpson County Extension Agent works with small and beginning farmers to ensure that appropriate resources are available from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to provide the best opportunity for success. Many small and beginning farmers utilize the Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market to help
Author: Steven Musen
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The recognition of the benefits of locally grown foods in terms of superior flavor, food safety and availability of heritage vegetable varieties has caused the popularity of Farmers Markets to steadily increase, especially in urban and sub-urban areas. The Leadership Jessamine County, Class of 2017 created the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market and established its governing board. Their main goals were to improve access to healthy foods, support local growers, and generate community-based gathe
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
As Kentucky was faced with quarantine and lock-downs, residents became even more reliant on social media to feel connected with the world. Extension shifted its focus to communicate with clientele through various electronic communications, with a big focus on Facebook. Pendleton County ANR Agent began using gorilla targeted marketing techniques that offered clientele short-notice of programming to keep some excitement and bring forth opportunities to complete at-home projects, establish home gar
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides eligible low-income seniors with redeemable vouchers for fresh, unprocessed local fruits, vegetables, hone, and herbs at approved Farmer’s Markets, The program helps improve nutrition for low-income families, by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The program also increases local farm sales and encourages individuals to shop at the local Farmers Market.The voucher system prov
Author: Jeffrey Wheeler
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Will Mullett is now the head winemaker at Talon Winery in Lexington, KY. Will was previously an UK undergraduate student between 2010-2015. During this time he took classes in Enology and Viticulture and also completed an wine related internship working both at the UK Horticulture Research Farm (vineyard and winery) and also at Talon Winery. Will signed on to become the assistant winemaker at Talon Winery in 2014 and was quickly promoted to head winemaker in 2015. Will
Author: Leann Martin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
One of the best lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, is how great and available local foods are. In the midst of the pandemic, families cautiously stayed close to home with limited trips to the crowded grocery stores. To help educate community members about the abundant local foods available as well as promoting family growth and health, the Logan County Extension Service, with community partners, re-designed the Family Fun Day at the Farmers’ Market into the Sweet Summertime at the
Author: Jeffrey Wheeler
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Laura Cleary began her journey into the field of wine as an undergraduate student studying Food Science at UK. She began taking classes in Enology and Viticulture starting in 2014 and received a Certificate in Distillation, Wine and Brewing from UK in 2016. Laura served as a Viticulture and Enology Research Technician at the UKHRF from 2016-2017, where she learned to both work in the vineyard as well as performing laborotory analysis on both juice and wine. Laura moved on from
Author: Jeffrey Wheeler
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Wesley Roney (Seth) began as an intern at the UKHRF vineyard and winery as a high school student in 2016, and continued this work until he graduated from Lafayette High in 2017. After high school graduation Seth moved to New Zealand to study Enology and Viticulture at Lincoln University. Seth moved back to Kentucky in in 2019 and again worked as an intern at both the UK Vineyard and Winery and Talon Winery. Seth is currently employed full-time as the Wine Manager for Blue Rose
