Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The agent continues to work closely with the local leadership and market management to provide a commercial outlet for producers who are in the business of marketing horticultural products. The Bath County Produce auction continues to function as an outlet for producers who want to market a wide variety of horticulture products. The auction program provides the opportunity to market products in various size containers based on their current marketing strategy. The market manage
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In 2013 a local cattle farmer contacted the Madison County Horticulture Agent and told her he would like to start an apple orchard. The Agent invited the University of Kentucky Fruit Specialist, Dr. John Strang, to make a site visit and discuss the project with the client.Tree fruit are difficult to grow here in Kentucky due to our climate which increases the likelihood of diseases and insects which attack the trees. These issues can drastically reduce fruit yield by effecting the health of the
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In 2020 the Buffalo Trace Ag & Horticulture agents offered a class on mum for Farm School for Women. After the program, a local agriculture tourism company contacted the Mason County Extension office, indicating they heard about the mum program and wanted more information to grow mums in 2021. The Mason County Horticulture Agent partnered with a University of Kentucky Extension specialist for Floriculture, Greenhouse Food Crops, and Controlled Environments to offer assistance to the grower t
Author: James Morgeson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
A local distillery contacted the Horticulture Agent for help after the distillery’s horticulturist had taken a new position at the height of the growing season. The staff needed immediate direction on how to maintain the innovative raised bed vegetable garden that was located near the tour entrance. The horticulture agent made bimonthly visits to teach the staff about integrated pest management, insect and disease identification and control, crop rotation, soil testing, and to give g
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
With most of the high tunnels in Knox County being NRCS grant funded, certain stipulations are agreed upon by producers when receiving the grant. One of the stipulations is that producers will agree to grow produce in the ground of the high tunnel for a minimum of four years. Almost all producers in the county have selected tomatoes as their primary crop because of the profit potential but have struggled growing in the ground the second and third years because of nematodes. To address the
Author: Roger Mollette
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Martin County has 12,500 residents while 37% live below poverty level with a median income of only $22,497.00. Residents of the county have a need for fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year's Farmers' Market was a challenge. All produce had to be packaged separately, masks worn and social distancing practiced.The Martin County Farmers Market participated in the POP Program(Power of Produce) during National Farmers Market week, Augu
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Pumpkin production in Kentucky has gradually increased over the past several years. This increase is due largely to producers transitioning from other crops, farm diversification, and agritourism venues. The Metcalfe County ANR agent has been involved in pumpkin production since 1994 and has been able to take experience coupled with Extension research and help producers throughout Kentucky to have successful crops.In the 2021 crop year this agent presented at the virtual KY Fruit and
Author: T. Adam Probst
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
As many traditional tobacco/cattle farms are still looking to remain profitable, diversifying into vegetable production has been a common theme. In order to provide these producers with some of the tools/information that they may need to get started, the Woodford County Extension ANR and Horticulture agents teamed together to provide a hands-on field day at commercial vegetable production. Over 30 producers learned more about vegetable crop rotation, insect management, irrigation, an
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Growing Fruit and Vegetables in a large school garden utilized by the school food serviceby Glen RobertsPlanning Unit: Wayne County CESMajor Program: Horticulture, CommercialCollaborators: Glen Roberts, ANR agent, Terry Bertram, ANR assistant, Danny Adams, KSU Small Farm Assistant, Justin Horton, FFA Adviser/VoAg instructor, Kathryn Tucker, School Food Service Director, Master Gardeners, VoAg and FCS students. Situation: Today`s youth are unaware how their food is grown. Sc
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Mason County Detention Center was looking for a way to improve mental health and provide healthier food for inmates. The jailer contacted the horticulture agent before the pandemic about building a greenhouse. After discussion, it was determined that a high tunnel would best suit the needs of the project. The horticulture agent provided information on high tunnel production from including how to get started. The horticulture agent worked closely with the jailer as the tunnel was being built
Author: David Koester
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Every growing season brings about landscape problems. Boone County experienced a cool wet spring in 2021 which brought on a wide array of landscape problems on ornamental plants,turfgrass, and fruits and vegetables by mid summer. The usually reliable landscape staple blue spruce was devastated by Rhizophaera Needle Cast disease. Throughout the tri-state area this valuable plant was no longer adding value to landscapes. Over 30 specimens were brought to our office for diagnosis. Homeowners, nurse
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In Warren County, the Cooperative Extension Service has noticed a rise and decline of vendors selling at local farmers markets. Area farmers markets are left with fewer vendors and limited produce variety at the market, once growers build up their customer base in order to sell off the farm.In December 2020, the Warren County Extension Service offered the Virtual 2020 Specialty Crop Conference to assist beginning and experienced growers explore other opportunities to help diversify their farming
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Jefferson County Extension Horticulture has partnered with Common Earth Gardens (CEG) for the past four years to support people who arrived to the United States as refugees or immigrants to re-establish farm businesses in Louisville, Kentucky. During the 2021 growing season we supported a record number of 14 farm businesses in Louisville through the Incubator Farm Program.Business participants attending winter business classes (February-April 2021) and received onsite farm and business support (
Author: Roger Mollette
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Martin County has one of the largest apple orchards in the state with 120,000 trees planted for the first round. Another 200,000 Honey Crisp trees are planned for the near future. A grant for 3.2 million dollars has been received for a processing facility that will be located near the orchard site. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service will play a vital role in the “Apple Atcha” project by working with farmers in Martin, as well as, the surrounding
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Boyle and Warren County Horticulture agents worked in conjunction with the KY Horticulture council and Center for Crop Diversification, to put together an online series of short courses aimed at commercial cut flower growers, around the state of Kentucky. Three courses were created focused on production practices, disease and insect management and marketing based on previous surveys from the recently established 
Author: Curtis Judy
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Market Garden Twilight TourIn July 2021, the Christian and Todd County Extension Offices partnered to host a Market Garden Twilight Tour. This program targeted small scale commercial vegetable growers with information on using woven ground covers for weed control as well as drip irrigation system design and operation. Sixteen producers participated in the tour.UK Extension specialist Daniel Becker presented the Todd County segment of the program at Frank and Tammy Amaro’s garde
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Farmer’s market producers report increased sales if they use scales. With scales they get an exact weight rather than having to round down. That way they don’t lose sales through “nickel and dime” losses. Vendors who do not use a scale must sale by measure (example: quart of strawberries) or item (example: three cucumbers for a $1.00).Scales must be inspected by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) Division of Regulation and Inspection each year. They must be for
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Letcher County Extension Service partners with the City of Whitesburg farmers market to train producers on safe production and food-handling techniques to safe-guard our food supply. The program is an annual requirement to sell at the market, ensuring that all growers have a refresher before the growing season begins. The program utilizes materials developed by the University of Kentucky along with state & federal partners. This year's series taught 76 clientele, with 92% scoring a 1
Author: David Koester
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Following twelve conference committee meetings and three ad hoc committee meetings involving three Land Grant Universities and twenty one other universities, municipalities,and the Cinn.. Zoo and Botanical Gardens the Tri State Green Industry conference was planned. This years event had to be postponed due to weather and was rescheduled. Due to the rescheduling the majority of speakers had to tape their presentations remotely. This created numerous technological and logistical issues. In spite o
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
April 2, 2022 was the renewal of the traditional Heirloom Seed Swap in Pikeville, Kentucky. The activity had been postponed for 2 years due to Covid and group was in rebuilding mode. There were just over 400 participants (403 to be exact) attending from 15 states, along with multiple local heirloom seed fanatics. Swap started with the Cushaw cutting at 9 am. Cutters presented had all 3 been with us from the first seed swap 12 years ago and cut some rare varieties of Cusha
Author: Jay Hettmansperger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Consumers want to purchase bright, healthy plants when they are making that decision at a greenhouse. A Garrard County greenhouse operator contacted the Garrard County ANR agent to help improve the health and ultimately the salability of his flowers and vegetable plants. The operator noticed that his plants were not as green and healthy as they should be. The Garrard County ANR agent working with University specialist made an assessment of the greenhouse operations. Water and media samples
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
New Sweet Corn Producer has Production and Marketing Successby Glen RobertsPlanning Unit: Wayne County CESMajor Program: Horticulture , Commercial (1051) Collaborators: Vegetable farmer, His family, ANR Agent, ANR assistant, Farmers MarketSituation: Farmer is marketing at the local farmers market lots of produce but no sweet corn. Customers keep asking for sweet corn and is not usually available at the farmers market.. With encouragement from the ANR agent and assist
Author: Ricardo Bessin
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
From apples to strawberries and more, pest management is a complex and evolving in specialty tree fruit and small fruit crops. Declining numbers of University Specialists threaten the capacity of LGUs to deliver accurate and evolving pest management information. Most fruits like apples are threatened simultaneously by many insect pests and diseases. Management tactics must reduce damage from pests while minimizing harm to pollinators and beneficials that are essential to producing a sustai
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Jefferson Co. Extension Horticulture has been partnering with Common Earth Gardens (refugee agriculture program within Catholic Charities) to support New American Farmers to re-start farm businesses in Louisville, KY. At the end of the 2021 growing season, three farm businesses expressed an interest in learning how to make and sell value added goods. During the winter of 2021-2022, the Horticulture Agent worked with UK NEP and FCS to adapt the Homebased Microprocessor training to be more accessi
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The opening day of the Taylor County Farmers' Market raised concern for the 2022 season, because of the low turnout of customers. Upon reviewing last year's numbers the next market day was projected to be even lower. The Horticulture agent along with the ANR agent, 4-H agent, and EFNEP assistant worked together to plan, set up, and host the first Spring Festival at the Farmers' Market. The festival consisted of Taylor County Master Gardeners working centers for children to learn how
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In an effort to offer more educational classes for growers wanting to make the jump from backyard growers to more commercial, the Mercer County Horticulture Agent teamed up with one of the UK Horticulture Extension Specialist to offer two small fruit webinars in early 2022. The two topics selected were strawberry and blueberry production. Originally these webinars were planned to be broadcasted in only the central part of the state. Once discussing with other agents how often they are aske
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Cut flower production is a growing horticulture enterprise segment in Kentucky and more than 100 operations across the state have been identified. Since July is nationally recognized as American Grown Cut Flower Month, for the second year, the Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC) partnered with UK Cooperative Extension Service Horticulture Agents, Alexis Sheffield (Boyle County) and Kristin Hildabrand (Warren County) to launch a social media promotional campaign highlighting cut flower growers ac
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Extending the vegetable production season, especially early in the season is a very profitable practice. The Lee County Extension Service worked with a local farmer to extend their production window by two weeks. We trained the farmer on using the correct verities and utilizing plastic culture and trickle irrigation on sweet corn. The farmer reported being able to consume and sell sweet corn two week earlier than ever before. This resulted in more sales and higher prices at time of sell. The far
Author: Russell Muntifering
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In 2021 a small-scale greenhouse owner/operator in Nicholas County reported some issues with productivity, health and overall appearance of his plants that he attributed without evidence to the municipal water source. He was advised by the UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that his problem was more likely due to elevated soluble-salt concentration in his soilless media resulting from overapplication of Epsom salts. In 2022 he switched his irrigation water source to a rain-fed cistern that a
Author: Russell Muntifering
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
A small-scale greenhouse operation in Nicholas County does not have an injection system, and the owner/operator and his family for the past 5 years have been watering and fertilizing out of plastic buckets and empty milk jugs. Their standard liquid-fertilizer mix consists of several commercial products that they had been measuring painstakingly in ounces, teaspoons, tablespoons, etc. of individual product, and then compositing these into a single fertilizer formulation. We have since assisted hi
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The accessibility of information to farmers has never been higher. Emails, blogs, social media, videos, and online training are bridging the information gap. This is true for all agricultural sectors except Amish and Mennonite farmers. Christian and Todd counties are two of the most Amish-populated counties in the state. Kentucky is the 8th most Amish-populated state with 15,000. Limited access to phones and internet sources, make it challenging for Amish farmers to get timely production in
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Metcalfe County Farmers Market (MCFM) continues to grow and increase in capacity. MCFM 2021 season ran every Friday beginning on April 2, continuing through November 19, 2021. Four first time vendors participated with MCFM during the 2021 season. 2021 was the first full – season for MCFM under the newly constructed, larger farmers market pavilion. The new pavilion was full of market day vendors on Fridays, from June – October 2021. The larger space can accommoda
Author: W. Garrett Owen
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In 2021 a local small-scale greenhouse operator in Nicholas County had experienced some issues with productivity, health, and overall appearance of greenhouse plants that the grower attributed without evidence to the municipal water source; claimed that it reeked of chlorine. The grower was advised by the UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that his problem was more likely due to elevated soluble-salt concentration in his media resulting from overapplication of Epsom salts. In 2022, the growe
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Pesticide application safety Commercial pesticide application has many risks; both to the public and to the applicator. Legal risks are also a major concern to enterprises engaged in applying control products as well as environmental concerns with improperly used or over used pesticides.Holding a commercial applicator's license requires continuing education or retesting on a three year cycle. Although CEUs can be obtained from attending numerous trainings across the state, travel costs
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Urban trees: Keeping Downtown Beautiful Urban landscape can be a struggle to maintain and plan for long term beautification. Many municipality budgets don’t allow for proper urban tree management. Early in 2019, the Henderson Downtown Initiative contacted the Extension Office to help with a few selected streetscape tree maintenance issues. Several conversations over the next month led to identifying the need to better manage the health and replacement of the downtown
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Madison County Horticulture Agent supported commercial horticulture producers this past year in several ways. Specific focus areas were increasing farm revenue and food safety. In the fall and spring, the Agent worked with Kentucky Horticulture Council and visited with farmers who were participating in the Kentucky Small Fruits Initiative, a program designed to provide technical and financial support to small fruit crop growers expanding and establishing small fruit crop enterprises&nbs
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Casey County ANR agent approached the Taylor County Horticulture and ANR agent with the idea to create and host a Women in Ag Conference. The goal of this conference was to provide agriculture / horticulture programming with a focus on women. With knowledge the women gained, the agents are hoping they will take what they learned and apply it to an existing or new farming enterprise. Along with several other ANR and horticulture agents in neighboring counties, the first Central Kentucky Women
Author: David Koester
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Organic Farming continues to be gaining in numbers of producers and in numbers of acres in production. The public continues to drive the need for more organic choices. This trend is especially noticeable in urban areas.To meet the need of potential growers and to facilitate attaining more growers in urban areas The 2022 Organic Association Conference was held in Boone County Kentucky in April. This conference was planned by the OAK staff, Oak board members and the Boone County Horticulture Agent
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Wyatt Lucas was an intern for us and managed a watermelon variety trial that was published in our 2021 Research Reports. It gave him experience managing a project and in publication while providing useful information to the commercial melon industry in Kentucky.
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
By following the CDC, KDA and local health department guidelines, the Knox County Farmer's Market started their 9th successful year. The Knox County Farmer's Market outdoor season began Thursday, April 21 through November 11, 2021. On average during peak season we had roughly 300 customers per week. During the beginning and end of the season, Knox Farmer's Market averaged 75-100 customers a week. Individual vendor revenues ranged from $100 to $1,500 per week. Estimated market revenue
Author: Brett Wolff
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Marketing for All Curriculum Development Funded by a $48,200 Specialty Crop Block Grant, the Marketing for All curriculum was designed to meet the highly diverse marketing education needs of scale-variable Kentucky specialty crop farms and businesses by developing new trainings and resources, while extending several existing programs. New materials included a 10 module beginning farmer-friendly curriculum spanning online and social media marketing, best practices for direct market ven
Author: Joshua Knight
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Center for Crop Diversification first established basic content for Cut Flower Production as far back as 2016. At the beginning of 2021, through collaboration with Kristin Hildabrand (Warren County Horticulture Agent), Alexis Sheffield (Boyle County Horticulture Agent) and Cindy Finneseth (Executive Director, KHC), the CCD began the process of creating an expanded landing page for all current resources, Kentucky, regional, and national, specifically related to cut flower production. &n
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
A high percentage of Morgan County’s population is eligible for supplemental food assistance including the Senior and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program administered by the local health department. The current pandemic has only caused additional food insecurity for many of these families. The ANR agent received a $2,000 KY Double Dollars grant from Community Farm Alliance which allowed WIC and Senior FMNP participants to double their vouchers up to $15 per day when purchasing
Author: Joshua Knight
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
RIGHT: Map of Earlier Data (Shared Equipment)Though the Geographic Horticulture Directory of Kentucky has been live since mid-2018, its resources have been updated periodically to reflect changes in data availability. With new data provided by the Kentucky Horticulture Council surveys this fall, the directory data for Shared Equipment and Community Kitchens reflects considerably more resources available for Kentucky growers. LEFT: Map of Current Data (Shared Equipment)Wit
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky”, March 2022). In order to extend the growing season, provide local produce earlier in the year, and receive the highest price for these crops, growers will often produce some vegetable crops in high tunnels. Tomatoes are the most commonly produced high tunnel crop. However, high t
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky”, March 2022). Extension based research at the University of Kentucky aims to produce information that can be directly used by growers as a means to increase yield, improve profitability, and/or reduce disease and pest issues. Thus, Extension specialists in Horticulture, Plant Path
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
High tunnels have the potential to provide specialty crop growers with the ability to extend the growing season and moderate the environment with respect to soil moisture and temperature. This can translate to increased income from increased marketable yields and improved produce quality. High tunnels play an important role in the local food system of Kentucky. As of 2022, there are over 1,500 high tunnel across Kentucky. As more growers adopt high tunnel production, new challenges are observed.
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
High tunnels are primarily used for specialty crop production, including fruit and vegetables, and have been shown to increase quality and yield. There are over 1,500 high tunnels in Kentucky. Many of the people acquiring high tunnels are completely new to farming and do not have experience with basic management like irrigation. There are several factors to consider when setting up irrigation for the first time. Unless they have farms themselves, many Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents d
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky,” March 2022). Kentucky has over 2,471 vegetable farms. More than 20% of those farms are less than 9 acres (USDA-NASS, 2019). Extension-based research at the University of Kentucky aims to produce information that can be directly used by growers as a means to increase yield, improv
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
High tunnels are low-cost, covered, passively heated and cooled semi-permanent structures used to extend the growing season for high-value specialty crops. They also help small farms increase their resiliency and can provide added diversity and income to these farms. High tunnels allow growers to moderate the environment with respect to precipitation and temperature, which can translate to increased income due to increased marketable yields and improved produce quality. As of 2022, there are mor
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Seven years ago, Magoffin County ANR Agent, Courtney Jenkins, began working with a direct-to-consumer farmer with a desire to increase his farm income through commercial fruit and vegetable production.The agent first worked with the farmer through the local Grow Appalachia program, providing technical assistance and resources for him to be successful in his venture, as well as through the efforts of establishing the county’s first-ever farmers’ market. Later, the agent worked with hi
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In a survey conducted by the Kentucky Horticulture Council, commercial cut flower growers indicated that they would like to learn more on cultivating cut flowers in low and high tunnel structures as well as how to control insect and disease pests for specialty cut flower production. UK Cooperative Extension, Center for Crop Diversification, and the Kentucky Horticulture Council answered these needs by collaborating together to offer 2 commercial cut flower short courses to teach these identified
