Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Jann Knappage
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Nutrition Education Program hosted a Farmers Market Nutrition Assistance Panel Zoom Training for Extension Agents and Assistants, farmers and farmers market managers. We had 81 people participate from around the state. Our seven panelists included personnel from: the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Farm Alliance and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. NEP created an in-depth infographic that summarized the entire panel as a follow-up to this training. The audience was t
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
**Pendleton County Extension Office Country Ham Project: A Recipe for Success**The Pendleton County Extension Office Country Ham Project has matured over the years, this initiative has grown into a thriving success story, uniting youth, adults, and the local community in the art of preserving country hams.**Youthful Beginnings:**It all began with the enthusiasm of 19 4-H youth and 7 Cloverbuds who embarked on the path of preserving and celebrating the iconic country ham. With dedication and guid
Author: Kenna Knight
Major Program: Local Food Systems
"Through our 'Fitness for Produce Challenge,' we ignited a health revolution in our community, rallying 49 participants to complete a remarkable total of 134 physical activities. These dedicated individuals engaged in ten diverse physical activities and embarked on five inspiring group-led hikes, fostering camaraderie and well-being.As a result, we distributed $670 worth of tokens, providing participants the opportunity to make healthier food choices at our local farmers market. Not
Author: Steven Mobley
Major Program: Local Food Systems
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the number of young farmers in Laurel County is in steady decline. The report showed that the percentage of Laurel County’s farmers that were aged 25 and under was 11% in 1969 but that number had decreased to 4% by 2017. The largest increase in an age group was with farmers aged 65 and over, which grew from 18% in 1969 to 40% in 2017. This clearly indicates that fewer young people are choosing the occupation of agricultural pro
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Local Food Systems
According to the CDC, a recent report showed many Kentucky children ages 1 through 5 years old do not eat at least one fruit or vegetable each day. There are many reasons why children or other family members do not eat fruit or vegetables daily. Increasing their access to quality nutrition is of utmost importance.In response to this need, the Knox County 4-H, FCS, and ANR Extension Agents along with several community partners such as, the Knox County Farmers' Market and the Extension P
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Muhlenberg County Farmers Market has a loyal customer base but many county residents still do not buy fresh locally grown produce at the market. The Muhlenberg County Farmers Market vendors, the Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Service, and Muhlenberg County Tourism worked together to increase the awareness level of all county residents regarding what market vendors grow and have for sale. A Farm to Fork event was held on July 22 at a local park in Central City. One hundred and sevent
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Farm Fresh to Table is a program that brought multiple groups within the Mercer County community together to provide fresh produce to youth in need. The Mercer County Horticulture Agent partnered with Heart of Kentucky United Way, Mercer County Community Endowment, Mercer County Schools, and Mercer County Farmers Market. Throughout the summer children would visit the farmers market once a month and receive a bag of produce valued at $20. The bags also include other local products like meat
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Grant County Farm to Table shines a spotlight that showcases local farm products. Consumers have moved their decisions by making choices that have increased 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. Quite simply consumers want to know the person that is growing their food by name. Local farmers and farmers markets have become the consumer&rsqu
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Growing fresh produce in Southeastern Kentucky can be a challenge for a lot of folks, to say the least. Our soil type along with our unpredictable weather during the growing season and the pests that come with this weather are a few of the primary factors associated with unsuccessful gardening in Kentucky. The Whitley County Cooperative Extension Service wanted the folks in our community to be aware of more of the non-traditional ways of growing produce, outside of your typical backyard gar
Author: Maelyn Dotson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Over the last several years, the Lawrence County Farmer’s Market has taken a big hit with the loss of farmers & buyers. After the 2022 Farmer’s Market Season the Lawrence County Extension staff, including Farmer’s Market Manager Stacy Jordan, brainstormed several ideas to attempt to increase numbers at the market.One attempt to increase numbers was the first annual artisan vendor evening market in June of 2023. This evening market was a huge success with a huge turnout from
Author: Maggie Forsee
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem-In February of 2023 I held the first meeting for the Riverview Farmers Market. I had one previous member attend. She informed me of the past issues that they had ran into and that would need to be addressed prior to gaining more members. There were issues with insurance for producers and a lack of leadership within the market. The educational program response-I attended the trainings for new market managers, and talked with many agents who were running markets currently. After t
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemGrowing 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 grow
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Small farms who raise niche crops and small scale produce are often at a disadvantage when marketing their products on a regional scale. Additionally, small operations often do not have the facilities to further process crops toward a market ready value added convenience item to further drive sales and profitability.The Hancock Co Cooperative Extension Service has invested significant time in gathering resources for small farm operations so that these entities could move further toward sustainab
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem-- Profitable local farms producing locally grown vegetables, value added foods, crafts, and fresh food.The educational program response-- Training was provided in various topics from business planning/record keeping, plant production, value added, Kentucky Proud/Appalachian Proud, Voucher/Double Dollars/WIC usage/acceptance.The participants/target audience-- Local Farmers, crafters, food vendors, etc. Along with Senior and WIC Receipients to improve financial position of the fa
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem-- Students that are sensory impaired are rately provided a positive outcome and contacts for success and dealing with the real world.The educational program response-- Provide a night at the Farmers Market in which sensory impaired young people can participate and learn about our local Farmers MarketThe participants/target audience-- Autistic and otherwise impaired young people can particpate in an activity designed to bring them into being an accepted part of the Farmers Market acti
Author: Miranda Rudolph
Major Program: Local Food Systems
There has been an ongoing issue in Graves County with creating and sustaining a robust Farmers' Market for the community. Due to several issues, among them not having a good, permanent location to host a market, there has been a lot of negative feedback regarding any efforts to make a market available . According to the 2017 Census, Graves County is the number 1 county for Ag Sales, beating out the second place county by almost $1.2 million dollars. As a county built around agriculture, it h
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: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Romanticized versions of Farmers Markets do not accurately depict the hard work that is needed to grow, harvest, and successfully bring a crop to the consumers. From weather conditions and high input costs to labor shortages and lots of heavy toting, most folks do not appreciate the commitment, time, and chores that market farmers undertake. With a high level of food insecurity in Morgan County, especially among youth and seniors, it is even more important that these growers (primarily wom
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Statistics have shown that local farmer’s markets provide numerous attributes to the community they serve, including wide growth to the local economy. In 2013, the Knott County Extension Service began a weekly farmers market,In summer of 2022 the market was hit with devastating flood, damaging the pavilion it serves from. In an effort to bring some normalcy back to our community, the market reopened in June of 2023. Due to some market growers not participating because of the impact th
Author: Raul Villanueva
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Dominican Republic was the first producer of organic bananas during past years but in 2023 it was displaced by Ecuador. A new invasive pest, the banana russet mite, is causing havoc in this country and farmers are not able to control this new pest. Yields are being reduced more than 30% in 2023 compared with 2022. This pest was identified for the first time in this republic in 2020 as the banana rust mite, Phyllocoptruta musae. I visited this country from the 28th to 30th of November, invite
Author: Von Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem students aren't familiar with eating locally.The educational program response a majority of the class.The participants/target audience were Newburg Middle School students. Other partners (if applicable) were the teachers in Newburg Middle.Program impact or participant response were students with excited about eating locally. Roughly 80% - 85% were more excited while 15% - 20% of the student were not impressed with change.Newburg Middle School recently held a career explorati
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Many downtown Frankfort residents face difficulties in accessing fresh and high-quality produce, as the nearest grocery store is more than 3.5 miles away. To address this challenge, the Franklin County Farmer’s Market and Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service have collaborated to improve the food access for low-income households in Frankfort. The Farmer's Market has seen a remarkable growth in sales and customers, reaching over $610,000 from more than 60 local producers, a
Author: Kristen Stumbo
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In 2021 Magoffin County had 23.1% food insecurity rate compared to the 12.9% average for Kentucky.The Farmer's Market offers residents another option for buying fresh produce. There are only a handful of options to buy fresh produce otherwise, as Magoffin County is a food desert. The Farmer's Market also promotes the local economy by supporting local growers. Our Market offers vouchers to senior citizens and WIC participants through grants and we also participate in the Kentucky Dou
Author: Adam Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
A sausage making success. Learn made fun through Sausage Making Livingston County ANR joined forces with neighboring counties; Calloway, Marshall, McCracken, and Graves, to host a summer sausage-making class in Graves County. The event drew a diverse crowd, sparking overwhelming interest in Livingston County residents. Responding to demand, Livingston ANR hosted a class with exceptional turnout and enthusiasm. Participants, ranging from high schoolers to seniors
Author: Brandon George
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Success Story 04/13/2024Brandon George, Kenton County Horticulture Extension Agent Sharing Extension Knowledge and Resources with the people of Belize On the morning of Friday, January 26, eleven extension specialists and agents presented at the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative in the village of San Antonio, Belize. As part of a study tour of Belize, led by Dr. Jennifer Hunter, our group was tasked with presenting on topics within our scope of expertise that would provide relevant
Author: Keenan Bishop
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In the Frankfort "Local Foods, Local Places" community conversation, people expressed a need for more school gardens and more local foods to be served in school meals. The Love Local Lunch idea was created for Frankfort Independent Schools by the Farm to School Coordinator through the efforts of The Farmers Market and community volunteers. The free meal to all students, staff and parents celebrated local farmers, community partners, and the work of feeding each other. The Franklin
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Local Food Systems
During the “Local Foods, Local Places” community discussion in Frankfort, people voiced a desire for increased school gardens and more locally sourced foods in school meals. As a response to this need, the Love Local Lunch initiative was established for Frankfort Independent Schools. This project emerged through the collaborative efforts of the Farm to School Coordinator, The Farmers Market, and dedicated community volunteers.The Love Local Lunch pr
Author: Trent Adkins
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Title: From Farm to Table: A Journey of Culinary DiscoveryIn a small, bustling community nestled between rolling hills and fertile fields, a remarkable educational series unfolded, weaving together the threads of culinary curiosity and the essence of farm-to-table living. This journey of gastronomic enlightenment began with a humble invitation: "Come learn about where your food comes from."Class One: Crafting Summer SausageThe inaugural session of the series set the stage for a hands-o
Author: Trent Adkins
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Living on a Few Acres Farm Conference brought together 52 participants from five different counties across Kentucky, fostering an exchange of knowledge and ideas on sustainable farming practices. UK Cooperative Extension Agents from Pulaski, McCreary, Russell, and Casey counties organized and led a series of classes that delved into various aspects of small-scale agriculture, including soils management, beekeeping, vegetable gardening, poultry, rabbits for meat production, small ruminant car
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Our community wants to be more resilient and sustainable. One way to promote that is by offering a seed swap.Having seeds to swap was not a requirement to attend. In addition to the seeds brought by clients, seed packets were available that had been donated by the local Ace Hardware.Before the swap began, seeds were placed on tables according to type of plant. Then the Agent gave a brief presentation on how to save and store seeds, as well as guidelines on how to proceed with the swap. Once the
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Fresh food accessibility can be minimal when operating on a limited budget. This can be especially true without knowledge of how to properly grow and prepare fresh food products. Residents of the Franklin Housing Authority expressed an interest in learning more about growing fresh vegetables, proper gardening techniques and utilization of fresh vegetables in recipes. In response, the Simpson County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Simpson County NEP Ass
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem: Food producers are responsible for producing safe and wholesome produce. The educational program response: Five Produce Best Practice Trainings were held to educate producers on food safety.The participants/target audience: Farmers Market vendors .Other partners (if applicable) NAProgram impact or participant response. Sixteen Farmers Market vendors completed the Produce Best Practices certification training, passed the test and received their PBPT diploma.
Author: Jessica Morris
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: James Morgeson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Lactobacillus-fermentation programs were requested and taught not only to Washington County residents, but surrounding county participants and the Horticulture Agent even traveled (at the request of a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent) for over an hour to teach the art of lactobacillus-fermentation. Eager participants attended with curiosity and a desire to learn the age-old tradition of lactobacillus-fermentation. Participants learned the history, needs, and science behind lactobacillus-fermen
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemEdmonton is the seat of Metcalfe County and has only two small grocery stores selling fresh produce. The produce on offer at the grocery’s is often poor in quality, limited variety, and costly. The educational program responseThe Metcalfe County Farmers Market (MCFM) was started in 2008 by the Metcalfe County Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture Education in response to repeated requests from community members for access to purchasing lo
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Mercer County Farmers Market has been under the guidance of Mercer County Cooperative Extension for more than 20 years. In the past two years the market has seen an increase in membership and market participation. After much discussion the market voted to branch out on their own. This move comes as a testament to the market's growth and popularity within the community, as well as its increasing autonomy and confidence.The Mercer County Horticulture Agent connected the farmers marke
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemSince being hired with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in September of 2021, I have worked diligently to rejuvenate the atmosphere and activeness of the Whitley County Farmers Market. With housing two different cities within the perimeters of Whitley County, the Whitley County Farmers Market takes place in two different locations on a weekly basis. In years past, there was an overwhelming difference in the number of Vendors as well as Market-Comers in each of
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Local Food Systems
People do not know where their food comes from. For the past ten years the Madison County Horticulture Agent and a volunteer have maintained a list called, “Farm Food-Grown or Sold in Madison County”. The list contains contact information for the local farmer’s markets and CSAs, as well as sources for seeds, transplants, fruits, meats, u-pick farms and restaurants that use local foods. Nearly 30 farms in Madison County are highlighted in the listing.The list is updated on
Author: Steven Mobley
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Obesity continues to be an epidemic that threatens the lifespan and quality of life of Kentuckians. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and environments that promote inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. The Laurel County Extension Office hosted a Cook Wild Kentucky workshop featuring locally sourced fresh fish to encourage healthier food choices and cooking methods. Varieties included locally caught large-mouth bass, spotted bass, and c
Author: Von Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Louisville Tool Library is a great place for community to gather, especially if they want to become backyard farmers and start yardens. There has been a monthly seed savers workshop with Jody Dahmer of Beargrass Thunder and Von Barnes of KYSU Cooperative Extension where they demonstrate techniques to saving seeds and preserving a variety of seeds from plants that have produced well around the county. The primary focus of these workshops are to get more growers in the community to produ
Author: Linda Hieneman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Greenup County Farmers Market was established in 2004 with farmer vendors only. As the market grew and became more established in the community, some local artisans became interested in participating as vendors.The Greenup County Farmers Market has now grown to over 40 vendor members that offer a variety of handmade and homemade items along with fresh fruits, vegetables, and value-added consumables. The market is open each Saturday at the Greenup County Extension Office building and has adde
Author: Amanda Potter
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Kentucky is currently home to over 69,000 farms with the average farm size being 179 acres, with the national average being over 400 acres. The puts the amount of farmland in Kentucky at just under 50% of the total 25.4 million acres. It is this abundance of farm land and the growing desire to transition into a more self sufficient way of life, that has lead to a surge of people moving to Kentucky to begin homesteading. After having several calls regarding homesteading laws and the necessar
Author: Lori Bowling
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Local senior residents are dealing with raising grandchildren or helping out family members more each year. With local job opportunities only offering minimum wage or little more it is getting harder for young families and parents to provide for their families and there is an increase in generations of families combining resources to make ends meet. One of those resources is everyday food costs. For the past several years the Boyd County Extension Agent for Horticulture has wor
Author: Lori Bowling
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Kentucky Double Dollars program is a supplemental program for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program that is offered through the Ky Department of Ag. Any senior that receives the $50 voucher card for the SFMNP program is entitled to receive another $50 from the Double Dollars program. The success of the SFMNP program in Boyd County is very successful and this past year the Double Dollars program saw an increase in redemption rates with a total redemption rate of 97%. T
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Simpson County Extension Agent for Agriculture helped to locate the Franklin-Simpson Farmers' Market on Main Street in Franklin. The previous market location was not visible which resulted in poor sales. The ANR Agent wrote a GOAP Grant and collaborated with local sponsors to construct a pavilion in downtown Franklin that is aesthetically pleasing and features highly visible selling spaces for vendors. Since construction vendors sales have dramatically increased.The mar
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
In compliance with mandatory USDA and FDA regulations for the prevention of health problems from low-acid and acidified canned foods, Dr. Paul Priyesh and his colleagues in the Food Systems Innovation Center offer the Better Process Control School to provide certification to supervisors regarding thermal processing systems and acidification and container closure evaluation programs. The UK-FSIC, in partnership with FDA and the KY State Department of Health (DPH) offers the Better Process Control
Author: Paul Vijayakumar
Major Program: Local Food Systems
HACCP is a risk based food safety system that is mandated by the USDA for companies working with meat-, juice-, and seafood-based products. This course provides participants with an understanding of HACCP methods, such as food safety plan development, record keeping, and verification skills that are needed to produce and sell safe food products. Participants in this certification program included food safety and quality assurance managers, other food safety personnel, food scientists and enginee
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Consumer choice continues to migrate away from grocery store shelves toward the farm gate. Many local farmers' markets are now becoming the go-to source for safe, fresh, and nutritious food for communities across the state, including Grant County. Over the past growing season, many individuals have turned away from the conventional food supply, leading to increased demand for locally grown fresh produce, meat, and eggs.In response, a community-wide effort was launched to raise awarenes
Author: Jennifer Palmer
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problem access to healthy foods and first time gardeners in Jefferson County. This program was impactful to help citizens of Jefferson County grow food especially low income residents. The educational program response was overwhelming to the seed potato giveaway. The first giveaway was 800lb and they were gone within one day. I was then able to arrange another 2,950 lbs of seed potatoes to be given away for planting. The NEP growing guide https://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/
Author: Kendal Bowman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Local farmers, proficient in cultivation and farm management, often face significant challenges when it comes to marketing and selling their products at farmers markets. The skills required for effective salesmanship and customer engagement at these markets are quite distinct from those needed in farming. As a result, many farmers find themselves unprepared to effectively attract and retain customers in these settings. This lack of marketing prowess can lead to missed opportunities for maximizin
Author: Ashton Potter
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Relevance: The Kentucky Value Chain Collaborative was established in early 2023 by The Food Connection in an effort to build soft infrastructure capacity for providing tailored technical assistance to Kentucky farmers around accessing additional markets for their farm products. This project supports three full time Value Chain Coordinators whose primary goal is to increase demand for Kentucky farm foods among mid to large scale buyers and add to farm gate receipts for Kentucky farmers. The Food
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Fleming County Farmers Market has set rules for their Market to include mandatory training(s) in addition to the mandatory training for those that accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program monies from Seniors and WIC participants. To provide the needed trainings and education, a five session educational program was planned from February 2024-April 2024. Folks interested in selling at the local Farmers Market were invited to pre-register for the program. In addition, Fa
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Each year, wild mushroom consumption leads to illness and in some cases, even death. According to the most recently published National Poison Control Annual Report, Mushrooms ranked 19th on their top 25 substance categories with the greatest risk of exposure increase. 1,119 serious exposures from mushrooms were reported by national poison control in 2022 alone. Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents in the Purchase Region also noticed a substantial increase in mushroom identification
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. This, coupled with the fact that while the average life expectancy is 78, in our county it is just 69. In Kentucky, 23.8% of youth aged 10 to 17 have obesity, giving
Author: Garrard Coffey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
During the holiday season, we acknowledge the significance of cooking, nutrition, and food storage in this time of year. In London, KY, the Wilderness Trail Area organized a Holiday Cooking School. The event focused on educating participants in Food Safety & Preservation, featuring instruction from the UK Food Safety and Preservation specialist, Annhall Norris and Stuarto's Olive Oil company conducted food demonstrations which worked alongside the UK Curriculum "Savor the Flavor.&qu
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Local Food Systems
One of the major hurdles in promoting local produce markets is assuring customers that the products there are as safe as those in retail outlets. The produce best practices training (PBPT) is a curriculum to educate producers on proper handling of produce from the farm right up to the point of sale. PBPT is also a prerequisite for the food sampling certificate that allows vendors to provide samples to customers. To open these doors to farmers' market sellers, the ANR agent and program assist
Author: Ashton Potter
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Relevance: The Cultivate KY partnership is a collaborative initiative, spearheaded by The Food Connection, aimed at growing our specialty crop sector in Kentucky, with a particular emphasis on farm to institution supply chains. Our efforts are focused on produce growers, and specifically supporting producers’ adaptation to rapid changes in produce food safety regulation and auditing. Our partnership is composed of on and off campus partners from across the food and farm system includi
Author: Ashton Potter
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Relevance: The Food Connection hosted its sixth annual Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit on March 20, 2024. The Summit consisted of two keynote presentations and full day of workshops, networking, and conversations designed to bring together local food professionals and advocates who work on the front lines of growing our local food and farm economy. The goal of the Summit is to bring together local food systems practitioners from across Kentucky to share challenges, opportunities, best practic
Author: Gregory Comer
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Farmer’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, increasing access to local, fresh, & healthy foods, and supporting food security. 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 Community F
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemWe do not have current recommendation for gooseberry and currant production in eastern KY/The educational program responseI applied for and received a Specialty Crop Block Grant to establish a demonstration planting at the Robinson CenterThe participants/target audienceOther partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response.Research-based recommendation can be made when the planting begins producing.
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 Nicholasville Farmers Market. The two Farmers Markets are filling a growing demand for locally-grown, health and nutritious vegetable, fruit,
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemBreckinridge County has a large population of senior citizens that are under the poverty level. Seniors need an avenue to be able to afford fresh vegetables and fruits. The Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Program is available to eligible seniors in the county. The distribution of the vouchers in the past 6 years has not been consistent and well advertised. The educational program responseThe Breckinridge County Extension Service staff offered to be that consiste
Author: Adam Thomas
Major Program: Local Food Systems
With an overall food insecurity rate of 12.9% in LaRue County, the percentage of food insecurities among children in LaRue County rose to 13.9% according to the latest Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment. In addition, when asked to what extent practical education/assistance is in ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food needed in LaRue County, survey participants rated this a 4.2 out of 5 which translates to a "very high need." 
Author: Adam Thomas
Major Program: Local Food Systems
With an overall food insecurity rate of 12.9% in LaRue County, the percentage of food insecurities is on the rise according to the latest Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment. In addition, when asked to what extent practical education/assistance is in ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food needed in LaRue County, survey participants rated this a 4.2 out of 5 which translates to a "very high need." Therefore, the LaRue County C
