Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Brett Wolff
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Center for Crop Diversification’s Price Reports for Farmers Markets and Produce Auctions provide growers and buyers with up-to-date information to help them assure that specialty crops in their markets are accurate. Donna Jones from the Farmer’s Market on the Square in Adair County gives the example of green onions. “We had been selling green onions at our market for $1 per bunch without much thought. Seeing prices from across the state helped us talk as vendors and we
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A couple of entrepreneurs in Fleming County decided they were interested in growing vegetables hydroponically in an old tobacco barn. They initially seeked information on how they could be successful as well as become GAP certified. The Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers book was supplied to the two and a specialist farm visit was also planned. The two entrepreneurs and their wives attended the Produce Best Practice Training at the Fleming County Extension
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 Soiless Culture was the only choice for a solution. Knox County became the fi
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Success StoryThank you, you helped us save our cropAfter working with a new crop entrepreneur I had the call that all agents want to hear, “Thank You; you helped me save my crop!’ Our office has always had an open door to any question or concern that came through our door, no matter how off the wall it was, or how difficult it was to answer. Our open door policy keeps us up to date with what growers are thinking, or doing or what they are questioning. I have been able
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A high tunnel is defined by growing fruit or vegetables in a greenhouse, but the plants are grown in the ground and no heat is provided. High tunnels can be used to extend the production time, allowing local farmers to produce fruit or vegetables during times of the year that normally would not be possible. High tunnels are somewhat new to the Buffalo Trace area and many Mason County residents never seen one. A tunnel is a great resource because farmers can plant month’s earlier, in compar
Author: Christopher Smigell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Chris also visited a number of Kentucky vineyards, all of which have suffered significant damage by the past two severely cold winters. These effects will continue for the next couple of years, and it is important to have Chris available for vineyard management consultations. The impact for vineyards is not just significant, it is critical. The Khoury family vineyard in Nicholas County is a specific example. Nearly all of their 1700 vines were so severely damaged last winter that the vines
Author: Christopher Smigell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Vincent Lovelace established a blueberry and bramble planting in Kenton County in 2012. By 2014 he began to sell fruit, with 200 customers that year. In 2016 he had 1,000 customers, and completely sold out his crop. He has removed most of the brambles, as the soil was too wet where they grew. As of last year, he has not made a profit overall, because of fixed costs, and the bramble plant losses. Still, he is one of the better growers, and has increased production from six- to seve
Author: Christopher Smigell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Gary Haddle, owner of Up-The-Creek Winery in Cumberland County asked Chris to visit Gary’s farm to determine why his raspberry and blackberry plants were dying. Chris suspected that wet soil was causing root rot. This was confirmed by the University Of Kentucky plant disease diagnostic laboratory. Chris recommended finding a drier growing site. The grower planted 200 new plants in a drier location, and the plants are thriving. In two to three years, these plants should be able
Author: Christopher Smigell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Travis Cleaver is a Larue County farmer I have worked with for several years. He has been growing an acre of produce. In 2016 he purchased more land, and in 2017 was able to grow an additional 3.5 acres of produce, which he sells at the farm. He has been one of three Larue County sweet potato growers that work together. This year, a fourth grower has joined the group. They were able to produce 10,000 lbs of sweet potatoes – their best yield as a group. These were valued at about $5000. The
Author: Christopher Smigell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
In 2017 a Barren County farmer new to blueberry growing. planted 5,000 plants, valued at about $20,000. There were some mistakes in the planting process – he had not consulted with the University of Kentucky prior to planting. I was able to make several suggestions to help these plants survive, and by next year, we will be able to see how much of his investment – totaling close to $30,000 – will be saved. He intends to plant another 7,000 plants in 2018, so the potential saving
Author: Christopher Smigell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A blueberry plant nursery owner in Warren County was using a volatile form of the herbicide 2,4-D to treat weeds around a block of several hundred potted plants. He contacted me when all of these plants began to show distortion. I confirmed that 2,4-D was causing this leaf distortion, but that it was also possible that the plants might grow out of the damage. He was able move the plants from the sprayed area, and use irrigation and mild fertilization to recover most of these plants. I explained
Author: Sean Lynch
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A successful back and forth discussion with a family interested in growing grapes for wine. In depth discussions of cultivar selection, site planning, and planting procedures. Family has ordered 600 grapevines for planting this spring.
Author: Sean Lynch
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A new to the industry grape grower and wine maker brought her first vintage bottled wines out to the farm for a tasting and evaluation. They were great and she was really proud of all that she has learned and accomplished. Her intial sales have gone well and she is in the process of securing loans for building a tasting room and winery. Although she brought some wines made from grapes and juice grown out of state, the greatest of the wines she brought were the ones made from Kentucky grown grape
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Sugarcane aphid is a new pest of sorghum in the U.S.; it was first reported in Texas in 2013 and reached Fulton County, Kentucky in 2015. This aphid builds up rapidly on sorghum and can kill plants through removal of plant sap with its piercing-sucking mouthparts. Their numbers can double every 1 1/2 days. In late summer of 2017 sweet sorghum growers in Bell County realized there was a problem. Their cane fields were turning purple and dying. After field visits the ANR a
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Seven Ag and Horticulture agents saw a need to help local farmers and home owners grow either grow their own fruit or help the farmers become more efficient at grow fruit to sell. So regional work shop orchard was held at the Fleming County Extension office in March with over 40 participants attending from 7 counties, including 4 Lewis County residents. Classes were offered for both the small home grower and the commercial grower on wildlife control, tree management, disease management, an
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Small, family farms have always been the backbone of agriculture in Clark County. Interest and demand for utilizing and producing locally grown food has also been on the rise. This has been indicated with a growing customer and vendor base at the local farmers market, and the number of requests received from local farmers for information related to growing fruits and vegetables. In the past five years, the Winchester Clark County farmers market has grown from only 6 vendors, to now more than 30
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Interest in farmers’ market production has been on the rise in Clark County and Kentucky. The number of farmer markets in Kentucky has vastly grown in the last decade along with the number of “Kentucky Proud” farmers. As of 2017, there were 160 farmers’ markets in the state of Kentucky, and a total of more than 2,700 farmers’ market vendors. At the Winchester Clark County Farmers’ Market alone, the number of vendors has increased from 6 in 2011, to more than 3
Author: Adam Barnes
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A Sweet small plot In July of 2014 a resident of Livingston County ask for help in expanding his blueberry patch from a hobby to a commercial patch. He had a working knowledge of blueberries but needed help in commercial varieties and marketing. Over the last four years Livingston ANR has worked with this producer to accomplish his goals for his operation. Not only has his hobby blueberry patch grown into a working commercial blueberry
Author: Andrea Stith
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
It was discovered during a Cooperative Extension Service program planning meeting, attended by the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Metcalfe County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources , and the Barren County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Horticulture, that each of these counties had fruit producers that had been requesting information and assistance with proper pruning methods and correct prun
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Social Media presents an incredible marketing opportunity for farmers. After several requests from clientele about navigating social media, the Warren County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Horticulture developed a social media series targeting farmers’ market vendors, agritourism operators, KY Proud partners, and on-farm business owners. Utilizing University of Kentucky resources and industry standards, they created a 4 part series which consisted of classroom i
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
In Mercer County and the surrounding areas many of the commercial horticulture producers grow pumpkins. Some of these producers grow them for their on farm agritourism businesses while others grow them to be sold at local stores and auctions. In order for these producers to raise a healthy and productive crop they need to stay up to date on the latest pest and disease issues occurring in the area.The Mercer County Horticulture Agent along with the Anderson County Ag agent, who also has mul
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Many people in Kentucky are learning about the seasonal high tunnel initiative grant program, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA and in Metcalfe County, over a dozen producer farmers have taken advantage of that grant program and are now producing fruits and vegetables year-round, with the aid of unheated hoop houses also known as high tunnels and some that have been converted to seasonally heated greenhouses. With so many producers and hobby farmers inquiring a
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Many people in Kentucky are learning about the seasonal high tunnel initiative grant program, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA and in Metcalfe County, over a dozen produce farmers have taken advantage of that grant program and are now producing fruits and vegetables year-round, with the aid of unheated hoop houses also known as high tunnels and some that have been converted to seasonally heated greenhouses. With so many producers and hobby farmers inquiring ab
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Agent Stephen Lewis was contacted by two former Master Gardener Class participants who were looking for assistance completing the Kentucky application for a hemp processors license. The gardeners were a part of a larger group of about 6 African Americans who have access to a large warehouse space in West Louisville and are forming a business to process hemp into CBD oil. Some of the language in the application was difficult to understand, especially for first timers in an agriculture related bus
Author: Sheri Crabtree
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Many small farmers in Kentucky harvest fruit from wild pawpaw trees in woodlands or farmland, for sale at local farmers markets, or homeowners may grow seedlings on residential lots. Wild pawpaws and seedling trees produce fruit that is small and low yielding compared to improved cultivars. Wild and seedling trees may also have poor flavor and texture to the fruit, leading to poor consumer acceptance of the fruit. Two pawpaw grafting workshops were held in Frankfort, KY and Quicksand, KY, with a
Author: Andrea Stith
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Many people in Kentucky are learning about the seasonal high tunnel initiative grant program, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA and in Barren County, in the past 5 years, over twenty-five producer farmers have been selected through the application process to advantage of that grant program and are now producing fruits and vegetables year-round, with the aid of unheated hoop houses also known as high tunnels and some that have been converted to seasonally heated green
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Diversifying the farm with multiple farm enterprises has been very important for Clark County farmers given the volatility of many of the agricultural markets. Vegetable production is one of the market opportunities that some Clark County farmers have been exploring. However, starting a vegetable production enterprise is not without its challenges. Unlike other crops, many of the farming activities have to be completed on a timely basis. Finding the right crop that fits in with the other existin
Author: Dewayne Ingram
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Enterprise diversification of Kentucky farms has been a major emphasis of Extension/research programs in Horticulture for decades. A program plan developed in concert with the Kentucky Horticulture Council was developed in 2000 and the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund has supported the project since 2001. The focus has been teaching and demonstrating the latest techniques in production and marketing systems for horticultural crops and carried out through extension specialists and associates
Author: Dewayne Ingram
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Collaboratively with nursery owners and managers, a multi-disciplinary team of Extension professionals developed detailed protocols for field production of landscape trees, shrubs and container production of trees, shrubs and flowering potted plans. This information was used to model the system and analyze system components using life cycle assessment. It was determined that 60% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in field tree production and more than 50% of variable costs were associated with eq
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: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Many people in Kentucky are learning about the seasonal high tunnel initiative grant program, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA. In south-central Kentucky, farmers have taken advantage ofthat grant program and are now producing fruits and vegetables year-round, with the aid of unheated hoop houses also known as high tunnels and some that have been converted to seasonally heated greenhouses. With so many producers and hobby farmers inquiring about this program a
Author: Charles May
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
This spring the Perry County Extension Service in cooperation with the Perry County Conservation District conducted its’ annual series of fruit and vegetable grower’s workshops. Since beginning this series, six years ago, the workshops have continued to grow to the point people had to be turned away the last four years because of space limitations. More than 150 people attended the workshops. The Perry County Conservation District don
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
It was discovered during a Cooperative Extension Service program planning meeting, attended by the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Metcalfe County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources , and the Barren County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Horticulture, that each of these counties had fruit producers that had been requesting information and assistance with proper pruning methods and correct prun
Author: Garrard Coffey
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
In the spring of 2018 the Whitley County Extension Service and Whitley County FFA collaborated to put on a series of commercial vegetable production classes. The first class was a demonstration of how to use the shared use plastic layer that is owned by the extension service. The plastic layer was used to lay a row of plastic and install drip line irrigation. This class also demonstrated how to hook up irrigation equipment and fertilizer tank for vegetable production in plastic
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
As our world is ever changing we try to change with it. This filters down to even our simple backyard garden. In order to get more youth involved in agriculture and growing their own vegetables, the Great Pumpkin Pursuit committee decided to try to stimulate interest in a grafting project. This ANR agent collaborated with the local ag teachers and did a two day course at the high school on grafting watermelons. The first session was in the classroom explaining and teaching why grafting is used.
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Kentucky fruit growers produce specialty crops such as apples, pears, peaches, and berries valued at $7.8 million (2012 US Census of Agriculture). In order to produce high quality, marketable fruit, it is necessary to apply fungicides and insecticides. These applications are used to mitigate damage from plant diseases and insects, or to impact plant growth. Fungicides and insecticides are applied in both conventional and organic production systems. While necessary, chemicals add a large cost to
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Kentucky fruit growers produce specialty crops such as apples, pears, peaches, and berries valued at $7.8 million (2012 US Census of Agriculture). In order to produce high quality, marketable fruit it is necessary to apply chemicals. These applications are used to mitigate damage from plant diseases and insects, or to impact plant growth. Chemicals are applied in both conventional and organic production systems. While necessary, chemicals add a large cost to the price of production. Thus growers
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Fire blight is the most economically important disease of apples in Kentucky. It is estimated that 50-80% of the 962 acres of apple in Kentucky may be infected with the disease each year. Risk for infection varies from year to year and orchard to orchard as it is dependent on weather conditions. Growers in Kentucky must be diligent in chemical application to prevent fire blight bacteria from infecting trees. Historically growers have made applications every 5-7 days without consideration for ris
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A producer contacted me from Clay county. He said that he wanted to plant about 3 acres of cucumbers this spring and wanted my advice on planting and installation practices. We spoke on the phone for about an hour where I provided detailed information on timing of direct seeding and transplanting cucumber. We spoke about laying black plastic for the raised beds and whether or not he should trellis the plants once they begin to grow. We also spoke about his plans to market and sell the cucumbers
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
As part of a previous SCBG we have established hopyards at RCARS and South Farm Rhizomes were planted in 2018 and the project is continuing. We have the only metal trellis system in the state of Kentucky at RCARS though there has been interest from potential growers.
Author: Joshua Knight
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Nursery Crops Extension Research Website: https://NCER.ca.uky.eduPrior to 2015, various websites had been developed to provide information to the green industry in Kentucky. Ranging from topics such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and regulatory information to upcoming green industry events. As these websites were developed using funding from a variety of sources and a range of developer tools, their maintenance responsibilities and locations were scattered and the sites thems
Author: Joshua Knight
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
KYNURSERIES-L Listserv: KYNURSERIES-L@lsv.uky.eduAt the end of each month, a Nursery Extension Bulletin is sent out to a growing list of growers, nursery workers and Extension personnel. These bulletins include articles using full color imagery provided by major units housed at the University of Kentucky associated with nursery crop production including plant pathology, entomology, Extension horticulture, AgWeather, and the Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist. The monthly collection o
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
There is an increased demand in popular culture for local food, reduced chemical usage and in preserving your own food. In Bullitt County the Orchard Production Series helps to address this growing interest. The Orchard Production series teaches homeowners to grow and properly manage fruit trees. Allowing residents to grow low impact (agriculturally sound practices) fruit, and increase production while minimized efforts and chemical usage. Using research based information from KSU and U of K, th
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
One of the primary emphasis for the Pike County ANR has been acquiring grants, both for the Farmers Market and for the individual farmers. During 2017-18 year the Pike County Farmers Market has attained $101,000 in grant money for Farmers Market improvements/expansion, market manager assistance and the Double Dollars/WIC/SR Vouchers programs. The Farmers Market was able to produce results from the previous year to the tune of Farmers taking in just over $161,000. Part of the su
Author: Christy Cassady
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Kentucky is home to 53,967 farms of fewer than 140 acres (Census of Agriculture, 2012), 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 Depa
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Lake Barkley Vineyards located in Eddyvile, Lyon County and owned by Bill Wesselak is a 6 acre vineyard composed of approximately one acre sections of the grape cultivars ‘Noiret’, ‘Chambourcin’, ‘Foch’, ‘Chardonel’, ‘Cabernet franc’, and ‘Riesling’, with a small quarter acre section of ‘Catawba’. Prior to participating in the program Mr. Wesselak was experiencing severe crop losses and reduction in grape quality
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Dr. David Hall, owner of Black Oak Vineyards and Medicine Man Winery was a cooperator for two years growing approximately 1/8 of an acre of mixed vegetables each year located at his farm in Princeton, Caldwell County. The vegetables grown on-site were used to supply a portion of the fresh produce for the Timberdoodle restaurant, attached to the winery. Prior to participation, bare soil management practices for vegetable production were conducted. Bare soil management resulted in significant labo
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Andrew Hammonds, owner of Koru Gardens, in Lone Oak, McCracken County is an ongoing cooperator. Vegetables and small fruit crops are used to supply a seasonal, share based CSA as well as local farmers markets. Koru Gardens distinguishes itself from other suppliers locally by being the only one that uses organic inspired production practices for all products. In entirety the area of horticultural plantings at Koru Gardens totals approximately five acres, three in vegetable crops and two in small
Author: Brett Wolff
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
In 2017, I led the development of a successful $50,000 grant proposal to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to develop a new marketing curriculum for small commercial horticulture producers in Kentucky. Many of these producers fall between the large home garden scale and the small wholesale scale and their needs for marketing training and development are quite unique. This curriculum is adaptable and allows producers to customize the curriculum by choosing from a list of plug and play module
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Kentucky Master Logger WebTV- Live Program Provides Training Closer to HomeOn February 6th, 2018 UK Forestry Extension broadcast a live Logger Web TV Program to 25 counties strategically distributed around the state, from the Webcast studio in the Forestry Extension Office. Assistance from the county agents and supporting staff was critical to the success of this program. Counties opened their offices up, assisted with registration, answering and conveying questions, and much more. By hosting th
Author: Emily Pfeufer
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Interest in farmers’ market production has been on the rise in Clark County and Kentucky. The number of farmer markets in Kentucky has vastly grown in the last decade along with the number of “Kentucky Proud” farmers. As of 2017, there were 160 farmers’ markets in the state of Kentucky, and a total of more than 2,700 farmers’ market vendors. At the Clark County Farmers’ Market in Winchester alone, the number of vendors has increased from 6 in 20
