Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Pendleton County Farmers' Market is a longstanding market (est. 1988) that has seen tremendous growth over the last ten years. In 2013 with just 6 vendors, the market found a new home in a vacant lot on Hwy 27. With leadership of county ag agent, market began finding ways to become more engaged with community, establishing a presence beyond a mere place to exchange goods. The market has returned home to a permanent location with a market pavilion.Over the last 10 years, with increased gu
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Louisville, Kentucky is home to folks who have resettled from over 60 different countries and is home to citizens that speak collectively over 130 languages other than English. With this cultural diversity there is also a lot of diversity in food and food traditions. All folks who resettle in Louisville, KY are eligible for SNAP benefits. Like all people, folks from diverse backgrounds also want to eat and access healthy food but may also want to preserve their cultural food traditions. To help
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Cumberland County Extension Office hosted a Farm to Fork event on July 21st, 2022 on Hill Street in Burkesville. This event was to raise awareness of local KY Proud produce and meat and fundraise for Feed My Sheep Food Pantry. The county received partial funding through Kentucky Department of Agriculture to host the event. In total, 84 individuals participated in the event, this included Sharon Spencer from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Qua
Author: Lindsay Arthur
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The "Power of Produce (POP) Club" is an interactive taste and activity center aimed to bring more youth and their parents to the Bourbon County Farmers’ Market. Over the course of the summer, there were 6 sessions of POP Club each with their own tasting element and activity. Each activity and tasting sample allowed youth to earn $2 when completed. These POP coins could then be spent on goods being sold at the market. When possible, agents coordinated with market vendors to
Author: Carrie Spry
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Clark County Extension Office continued their support of local growers and producers through their support of the Winchester/Clark County Farmers Market with a Kid's Day Event. Extension and other sponsors offered $10 vouchers to the first 100 kids that were redeemable from each vendor at the Farmers Market. More than 130 youth were in attendance that day and more than 85% of the vouchers were redeemed as well. This helped youth learn about and experience fresh, local foods that they may
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
After a brief hiatus 2022 returned the Grant County Farm to Table, an event that showcases local farm products. Since the pandemic consumer choice has moved the needle for demand for locally grown fresh produce, meat and eggs. Supply chain scarcity has pushed consumer focus away from the grocery shelf and toward the farm stand. Local farmers markets have become the consumer’s choice to provide safe, fresh and nutritious food for communities across the state, and Gr
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Lewis County Extension Service 4-H and Agriculture and Natural Resources programs conducted a Farm to Plate Program for all fifth graders in Lewis County. Approximately 130 students participated in the program. The program was designed to teach youth where their food comes from and was held at the Tollesboro Lions Club fairgrounds. It was sponsored by Lewis County Farm Bureau who paid for the meals and transportation for students to attend. Rip’s Farm Center pr
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 $48 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 sup
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Agriculture awareness and appreciation is always an important topic among farmers. An increasing percentage of the population does not have a direct connection to a farm, and they do not fully understand where their food comes from. Educating the public on the importance of farming is vital to the future of production agriculture.The Monroe Co. Farm Bureau hosted an Ag Appreciation Day for youth. The students were brought to a local farm on school busses with their teachers. A short introduction
Author: Joanna Coles
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Increasing access to local food and improving farm profitability are essential goals for our community. In partnership with SOKY Marketplace, Warren County Local Government, Farmers, the Housing Authority, and the UK Cooperative Extension Service are working toward improving access and farm profitability. We found in a study that people didn’t attend the farmers' market because the hours were not convenient, or they didn’t have time to shop at the Farmers market. &nb
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Carter County Extension Office receives over $20,000 each year through KDA’s Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program for distribution to low-income senior citizens. Previously vouchers were distributed as paper coupons that Farmer’s Market vendors cashed like checks at their local banks. However, in 2022 the state issued vouchers on debit-type cards that had to be processed by the market vendors with a cell phone app called SoliMarket systems. &nb
Author: Corinne Belton
Major Program: Local Food Systems
As a means to bring awareness to the breadth and diversity of agriculture in Shelby County, as well as to bridge and strengthen the rural-urban interface, the Shelby County Horticulture and Agriculture Council implemented the Shelby County Good Neighbors Farm Tour for the sixth year. This event also serves to promote Extension programming while connecting the community to local agriculture.Lead by a growing committee of Horticulture and Agriculture Council representatives and outside volun
Author: Brandon George
Major Program: Local Food Systems
“The 12th Annual Kenton County Farm tour was held Saturday, September 17, 2022. This tour included ten hosting sites that offered a variety of agriculture or horticulture experiences. In addition to the ten stops, there were 11 local craft artisans, 8 local farmers selling local produce, three wineries offered wine and five of the farms offered items to purchase directly off the farm. This year there were over 12,000 visits to the host farms.” (Dan Allen, ANR agent, Kenton County)One
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Access to high quality, fresh produce is a major challenge for many that live downtown Frankfort. There are no grocery stores within 3.5 miles. The Franklin County Farmer’s Market and Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service has worked together to increase the food access to Frankfort residents, especially those on limited income. The Farmer's Market had sales of over $548,700 from more than 50 local producer, which is 26% increase from the previous year. We've als
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Campbell County, Kentucky was once known for the numerous dairy cattle farms and rural living. In recent years, the economy has grown and so has the population causing the number of farms to decrease as they are developed into residential areas. One consequence of this growth and development is the number of citizens that reside in urban communities and are separated from the rural part of the county. This separation has led to a lack of understanding about agriculture and how important it is in
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. Jessamine County enjoys two vibrant and growing Farmers Markets, the long-running Wilmore Market and the newly-established Nicholasville Farmers Market. The two Farmers Markets are filling a growing demand for locally-grown, health and nutritious
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Tobacco was the primary income for farmers in this area for many years and since the buyout from the Tobacco Companies in 2001 it has been a struggle for farmers to replace it. Farmers quickly realized that they had to start producing something else to sustain their operations and for many the answer was Vegetable Production. It was obvious that the farmers had a good grasp on production but the problem seem to be in Marketing because that was something they had not had to do in Tobacco Producti
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Pikeville Farmers Market has been a success story for several years. The Market was started by the Master Gardener group several years ago. The market started in the Parking Lot by the Extension Office. It started with 2 farmers. Market gradually grew to fill one side of the parking lot. then grew to cover both sides of the parking lot. At this point the Market worked with the City of Pikeville to secure grants to build a really nice structure on some prop
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Over the summer of 2022, the ANR and 4-H agents brainstormed, thinking of what would bring in more people to the farmers' market; after much discussion, the agents concluded that one way to attempt to increase numbers at the farmers market is to bring in a different local food truck each week. Jackson County has an outstanding variety of local food trucks to offer the county, including BBQ, Country style, pizza, and traditional food trucks. The agents scheduled a different food truck for eac
Author: Lori Bowling
Major Program: Local Food Systems
For the first year since the program began, the Farmers Market Senior Nutrition Program went from paper vouchers to a loadable debit card. Administering this program using the debit cards was not without its challenges since many seniors still like to use cash and checks as a monetary currency. However, the allotted amount of money that Boyd County had for this program for the 2022 market season was the same as the 2021 season but what took 4 days to distribute in 2021 only took 1 1/2 days
Author: Leann Martin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, retail beef prices increased 18.7%. As a result, consumers began buying directly from producers. The annual Logan County 4-H & FFA Youth Market Steer Show, Sale, & Carcass Contest and the Logan County Youth Hog Show & Sale, continue to serve as leading examples of local direct to consumer beef and pork sales as well as great avenues for consumer education on the value of the meat they are purchasing.The programs teach the full cycle of livestock
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
When the Bath County ag center was first envisioned, a big part of the vision was to develop programs which would help farmers remain profitable as the state began its transition from tobacco to other commodities. One of the first structures that the county erected was a covered building for the sale of produce. Produce was seen as an economically viable alternative for tobacco in Bath County. The location of the county along I-64 with such a close presence to Lexington in the
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Metcalfe County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, conducted a spring 2022 Program Advisory Council meeting with ten program stakeholder representatives, in anticipation of hiring a new Nutrition Education Program Assistant. This organizational meeting resulted in a NEP program partner contact list, potential programs and events for partnering in 2022/23, and a tentative schedule for program partner site visits that occurred with this Agent and new program assi
Author: Paul Vijayakumar
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Kentucky has many produce auctions that are unique in that they are typically owned and operated by members of the Plain community (Amish and Mennonite) and are the primary outlet for farmers of the Plain community. Plain community growers do not use modern technology or the internet as farming information sources, and most do not belong to a formal farm organization. Therefore, education and practices in food safety need to be adapted to maintain food safety standards while being able to delive
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
On July 29th, 2022, Hart County Cooperative Extension partnered with the Hart County Cattlemen’s Association in hosting its 5th annual Farm to Table Dinner. This annual event has become such a sought after gathering that tickets are commonly sold out within 24-48 hours of being offered. It has been my honor over the past few years, even before being employed by Hart County Extension, to be heavily involved in the procurement of local fruits and vegetables for the dinner menu.
Author: Taylor Graves
Major Program: Local Food Systems
According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, a thousand and thirty-two deer were harvested in Washington County. The closest processor for deer is a little over 30 minutes away and oftentimes stays fully booked during hunting season. This led to the idea of hosting a Field to Fork deer processing course. This program is held in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. At the beginning of the course, participants were offered the opportunity to try the Cook Wil
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Over the past decade, people have taken more interest in where their food comes from and what is in their food. In Breathitt and surrounding counties, interest in heritage skills has increased as a way to preserve skills of grandparents as well as extending their food dollar and taking pride in creating food for their family. This can be seen by the popularity of country ham programs for youth and adults in Kentucky.The Breathitt County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Reed Gr
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Hart County Farmers Market is a small but growing entity. Every year the market seems to get a little bigger and better and support grows due to many factors. One of those factors being the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). This year Hart County Extension Office administered the SFMNP for the market. Due to a big push in social media advertising as well as word of mouth, we signed up 222 Senior Citizens who met the income requirements for the program. &
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Farmers Market began like most years, but the struggles of finding good source of products to be sold, has led to an increase in interest to sell at the market in 2023.The market accepts WIC and Senior Food Instruments or in 2022 SoliMarket produce cards for the first time as well as $2,000 in Kentucky Double Dollars to be handed out to eligible recipients.After a successful 2022, the Extension Service was asked to conduct the delivery of the 2023 Senior Food Instrument distribution. I
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Local Food Systems
U.S. Agriculture and American farmers play a crucial role for providing food, fiber and natural resources for a fast growing world. “Unlike prior generations, consumers of today are not as connected with the land, the food grown on the land or the food they consume on a daily basis (Ten Eyck, 2000).” In an effort to educate youth on the importance of agriculture, Allen County 4-H and ANR Agents – Anna Meador and Adam Huber crafted, AG Academy, a three day program to
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Madison County Horticulture Agent took part in the SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research Education) Fellows Program in 2018 and 2019. That program allowed her to travel to different areas of the country to study farm sustainability. The capstone to the SARE Fellows program is that participants must lead a seminar and farm tour at the National Association of County Agriculture Agents annual meeting. Due to COVID, the Agent was not able to teach the seminar until the summer of 2022.The goal o
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The majority of families in Knott County rely heavily on raising gardens in order to supplement their food needs throughout the year. The rest, who are unable to garden, depend on the farmers market. Both use the produce, consisting of fruits and vegetables, to preserve and supply food for their families enjoyment and nourishment. During the catastrophic July flood, the extension office received numerous calls about families losing their gardens. Each call was a request to discover if finan
Author: Sharon Flynt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
As the Scott County Extension Horticulture Program looked for more creative and innovative outreach programs for the community during the pandemic restrictions and aftermath, the agent collaborated with an Extension Master Gardner volunteer and the Scott County Public Library to create a Seed Library.The Seed Library inspires healthy eating, environmental education, and hands-on learning for those who want to grow their own food and save seeds. Planting, care and harvest guides
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Kentucky has the 11th highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. Breaking down the statistic, one in ten Kentucky kids have dealt with a parent behind bars. The Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office partnered with the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation (WJRF), and Franklin County Schools High School K.R.U.S.H. (Kids Rising Up through Support and Healing) Group to host a thanksgiving meal on the day before Thanksgiving.High Schoolers from Western Hills, Franklin County, and
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Local Food Systems
This Agent along with a group of leaders identified the need to promote and educate healthy living to promote lifestyle modifications and interventions with the children of our community. This decision was made based on the fact that 29 percent of our children are living in a food insecure household according to Kentucky Kids Count and our Farmers Market WIC redemption rates are below 30% in previous years. As a group we identified the need to promote healthy living and lifestyle changes am
Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
U.S. childhood obesity has tripled since 1980, with 9.5% of infants and toddlers and 16.9% of children ages 2 to 19 considered obese (Ogden, Carroll, Curtin, Lamb, & Flegal, 2010). Research shows that early childhood is the ideal time to establish a taste for healthy foods and a desire to try new things in order to encourage life-long, healthy habits. Research also clearly shows that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help protect against several chronic diseases, such as obesity,
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Beef producers can add value to their beef cattle by educating themselves and their consumers about beef products.This agent collaborated with Dr. Katie VanValin, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment,Beef Cattle Specialist and Dr.Gregg Rentfrow, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Meats Specialists to provide a program to help producers and consumers alike. The program entitled Producing Beef for the Consumer utilized class room prese
Author: Chelsea Sapp
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Chelsea SappANR Success Story #3April 3, 2023 Homesteading Basics Series Starting in February and going through June 2023, I am hosting a homesteading basics series. These classes are geared towards n
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Horticulture program on Microgreens was a successful extension activity that aimed to educate and empower the participants on the benefits and methods of growing microgreens. The program consisted of several group classroom sessions and individual sessions, with a total attendance of 35 people from different backgrounds and interests. The participants learned about the best practices for planting, harvesting, and storing microgreens as well at the market potential. As a demonstration of thei
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
We at the Lee County Extension Office have worked with 7 producers for the past 7 years developing off-the-farm beef sales. We have educated producers on cross breeding, feed rations, price structuring, grazing systems, incorporating clovers and lespedeza into pastures, and marketing off the farm beef. The goal was to sell more local beef and increase our local food supply. This goal was to also keep more of our money local. We have worked with five producers at this point of the program, and th
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Local Food Systems
While Metcalfe County has several Dollar Stores and one IGA, the produce variety available is very limited, of poor quality, and is very expensive. The Metcalfe County Cooperative Extension Agents for FCS and ANR, started the Metcalfe County Farmers Market (MCFM) in 2008, as a community and economic development activity to develop a local foods system, with a May - September market season. A secondary goal was for MCFM to serve as an outlet for nutrition education programs, where par
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Kentucky Proud Farm to Fork program increases awareness of buying local while teaming up with a local charitable organization. The events highlight local farmers, Kentucky Proud farm products and local chefs while raising money for a local approved organization.The Webster County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Webster County Farmers’ market, local producers, Kentucky Department of Agriculture and volunteers came together to plan and implement the first Web
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: Evan Tate
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Exercise and Activity for residents of assisted living centers is a necessity for good health. Residents often enjoy have day to day task and these routines can be apart of an exercise regiment that promotes mobility and wards off obesity. Additionally, assisted living centers often operate on tight budgets and are constantly looking for sources of healthy food at an affordable price.The Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, Audubon Area Community Services and local businesses all
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Taylor County Farmers' Market is off to a wonderful start for the 2023 season. Total vendor count for the first half of the season is 11 and customer count is 952+. The spring festival had an increase this year from 62 last year to 133 customers. Each month an event has been scheduled to increase customer count. Upcoming events for the market throughout the season are a petting zoo, health fair, national farmers' market week celebration, fall festival, and more. The farmers'
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Cumberland County Farmer’s Market started the 2023 season off to a racing start. The market became their own 501C3 during the off season. They are now operating on their own with no guidance from the Extension Office, except for training such as PBPT or Micro-processing. The vendor numbers have tripled since last season from three to nine. The market is offering everything from crafts, to vegetables, to live animals. The vendors still accept Senior and WIC vouchers for county res
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In 2019, KY NEP published a Farmers’ Market Toolkit intended to be used by Extension Agents and farmers’ market managers to help markets accept nutrition benefits programs such as SNAP, WIC, and Senior Vouchers. Shortly after the launch of the toolkit, the COVD-19 pandemic drastically changed the landscape of farmers’ markets. In the fall of 2022 and spring of 2023, KYNEP staff members began revising the Farmers’ Market Toolkit given all the changes that had occurred.The
Author: Whitney Carman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Grayson County Farmer’s Market has been a viable market for over 17 years. It has served the community fresh local produce yearly and is a staple in the summer. After several years of low turnout and participation with market vendors, the Farmer’s Market moved to the Extension office, in expectation that it would grow and thrive, thus making it a feature of the community. In 2021 and 2022, the market did well for growers at the Extension Office, each collectively raising over $20
Author: Shawn Lucas
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension program at Kentucky State University, under the direction of Dr. Shawn Lucas, first began working with Tony and Emlyn Brooks, owners of TurnerBrooks Farm in 2018. The farm has an incredible history with Tony and Emlyn farming on land that Tony's ancestors farmed while enslaved. We consulted about hemp production as well as establishment of livestock production and an educational center at the farm. Consulting on hemp continue
Author: Von Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Habitat for Humanity Families Garden received an overhaul with the help of GE’s Local Inclusion Network Connection program in April. Three families had the opportunity to learn some “gardening 101,” such as soil composition and health, companion planting, and mapping out the sun path. The families were enthusiastic to work with three master gardeners and plant what was for some, their first edible garden. Now, they have easy access to a nutritious diet grown by th
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem-- High number of diabetics in the Pike County Area.The educational program response--Educating the public on the benefits & advantages of shopping at the local Farmers Market to buy fresh healthy locally grown produce and to try recipes for the air fryer.The participants/target audience-- diagnosed diabetics that take part in the monthly Diabetes Workshops sponsored by MCHC at their Tug Valley Hospital.Other partners (if applicable)--MCHC and Tug Valley hospitalProgram impact or
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Jackson County is one of the poorest counties in Kentucky and even the nation. Having access to nutritious food is limited in this county. Jackson county Agents worked with producers to keep the farmers market running for 2023. This year, the SNFP program has allowed for over $17,000 to be given to 350 low income seniors in order for them to be able to purchase fresh and healthy food from the farmers market. This also provides over $17,000 to local farmers that are selling produce at the farmers
Author: Sarah Imbus
Major Program: Local Food Systems
70 third grade students participated in monthly horticulture activities focusing on mindfulness, farm to table, and horticulture science lessons. Students incorporated horticulture therapy lesson linking to mindfulness and knowledge about strategies on breathing techniques to help them focus on school tasks. In addition, the third grade classes cultivated a social science project for the school season which incorporated youth leadership, horticulture sciences, and team building exercises.
Author: Jennifer Palmer
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem – Access to quality seed potatoes for growing at low or no cost. The educational program response was to learn about how to grow potatoes from new gardeners that have never grown potatoes and it allowed new gardeners to try growing potatoes for the first time. This giveaway encouraged first time gardeners to try growing their own food with very little cost to themselves since the potatoes were given to them. The participants/target audience community garde
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: 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 FDA recognized that PSR is a new regulation and that each f
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Extension Service along with the Agriculture Advisory Council in Simpson County work hard to promote local food systems. Local foods are very nutritious and taste better due to freshness. People can make personal relationships with the farmers that produce these products and learn more about the overall food production process. Also, buying local makes a positive impact on the local economy. Many studies have shown that those local food dollars are often spent again l
Author: Gregory Comer
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemFarmer’s Markets play a critical role for in today’s food systems, especially in small communities. They bring urban and rural communities together, while creating economic growth and increasing access to local, 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 normalized in 2022, from the COVID restricti
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The many supply chain issues during the Covid 19 pandemic made many normally reliable food products unavailable or in limited quantities for months. The increase in interest in more local based food products was realized at the Caldwell County Extension Office. Small beef operations in Kentucky have always struggled with staying profitable while at the mercy of livestock auction prices only. For the past few years, several members of Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen’s Association have w
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The nine-year collaboration continues between the Hardin County Farmers’ Market, the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service and the Lincoln Trail Area Master Gardeners.The Master Gardeners provide samples, recipes and information to the shoppers at the Hardin County Farmer’s Market once a month through the growing/selling season. The Master Gardeners prepare two recipes from the Kentucky Proud Plate It Up! Series. Then, pass out samples to the patrons of the Market, encouraging
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, honey, and herbs at approved Farmer’s Markets. This program helps improve nutrition for low-income seniors, 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 sys
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Local Food Systems
There is a growing interest in our community to cultivate your own food and become more sustainable. There is also an interest by many, in mushrooms in particular. People want to know how to identify mushrooms and how to forage for them safely. We receive a lot of questions, as agents, about how to grow your own mushrooms at home. With the increased interest in mushrooms over the last year, the Agriculture and Horticulture programs decided it would be an excellent opportu
Author: Linda Hieneman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Jim and Brenda Fields representing Sweet Bee Gardens The Greenup County Farmers Market was established in 2005 with farmer vendors only. As the market grew and became more established in the community, some local artisans became interested in participating as vendors. At first, there was some hesitation on the part of farmers about expanding the focus of agricultural economy into the creative economy. Because of the leadership, encouragement, and modeling of team work from the Ag Agent, FCS
Author: Leann Martin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Covid-19 was a huge eye-opener for so many people when it came to the availability of food, especially when quality and safety of the food available was in question. Educating families on the fresh food available to them locally, while encouraging family engagement, has been a driving force in the development of Logan County Extension Services’ Sweet Summer Time at The Farmers’ Market program. It is a community event, held at the Logan County Extension Complex in conjunction with the
Author: Sharon Flynt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Research shows that people who garden are likely to improve both physical and mental health, as well as are more apt to eat more fruit, vegetables, and herbs when they grow them themselves. To encourage more home-prepared meals and grow your own gardening, the Scott County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and Agent Horticulture worked together to host the workshop Savor the Flavor: Cooking with Oils, Herbs, and Spices.The Horticulture agent focused on successful
Author: M. Elizabeth Coots
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The local food movement continues to grow throughout the Commonwealth, especially those starting or expanding upon their business. Possibly the most important aspect of selling food is the safety of handling and preparing it before selling to ensure customers receive a safe product. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is well aligned to provide support and training for those operative value-added businesses, especially for small business owners. The Shelb
Author: Sarah Geurkink
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Sarah Geurkink led a 2-part virtual coffee chat series about the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Voucher Program, in May and June: Part 1 on May 22 featured Richard Amos (UK Chief Benefits Officer). Richard shared about the considerations that went into his decision to fund UK's CSA Voucher program, including how the program fits into the larger objectives of a good benefits package (recruiting and retaining employees); how it advances UK&r
Author: Regina Utz
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Raising the Steaks and ChopsEducating local livestock producers is a high priority in Trimble, Shelby, Henry, and Oldham Counties. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, total beef, swine, sheep and goat animal sales yearly in the combined counties totals more than $32 million, emphasizing the need for livestock producers to take herd management and marketing decisions seriously. Increasing consumer demand for locally sourced protein and the participating counties’ proximi
Author: Regina Utz
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Start of Trimble County Farmers’ MarketIn January, County Judge Executive John Ogburn contacted Regina Utz, Trimble County Agriculture and Natural Resources agent about starting a farmers’ market. Regina had already been in the works of planning a farmers' market after talking with the Agriculture Advisory council about some needs in the county. Trimble County has had two other farmers’ market attempts in the past. From the beginning she knew that there needed to be a
Author: Jonathan Larson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
I was a part of the high tunnel Extension team that led this two-part opportunity for Kentucky growers. We offered new farmers the chance to join us initially through webinars to learn about the basics of high tunnel agriculture. I specifically taught on integrated pest management inside of high tunnels, covering pest prevention, monitoring, and management tips. Farmers were then invited to join us in person at one of three in person field days spread across the state (Morgan, Franklin, and Muhl
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.The Ag Agent in Jefferson County recently received a call from a greenhouse manager regarding vegetable plants that appeared to have some type of herbicide damage. The manager informed me that there haven’t been any herbicide applications applied to any of thei
