Extension
It Starts With Us
Grow It Local and Reap the Harvest
Small Farm Agriculture
Shad Baker, Nanette Banks, Crystal Smith, Lee Adams
Local Food Systems
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Commercial Horticulture
Letcher County has depended upon a coal-based economy for over a century. That has led to a loss in vocational agriculture and the related infrastructure and knowledge base. The county also suffers from poor dietary habits and elevated levels of diet-related disease. Recognizing the correlation between diet and disease, many county and state-level specialists have advocated consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. One way to accomplish this is through promotion of local food production, farmers markets, and a certified kitchen to utilize local produce. Given that the county is over 90% forested, timber and non-timber products have the potential to greatly increase small farm agriculture receipts for local people.
Clients will have improved health
Clients will raise local produce
Agriculture will increase in importance to the local economy
Disease Levels will drop
Timber and Non-timber products will increase
Certified Kitchen will be in operation
Clients will put knowledge gained from Extension programs into practice by using recommended Forestry and Horticultural practices
Clients will increase fruit and vegetable consumption
The number of farmers seeking access to equipment, master loggers, soil testing, etc. will increase
Certified Kitchen will be completed
Requests for horticultural information will increase
Clients will value local food products and take steps to produce these crops
Farmers Market attendance and sales will increase
Increase in master logger or woodland owner participation
Increased demand for horticulture workshops
Planning for Certified Kitchen will advance
Initial Outcome: Certified Kitchen will be planned and Farmers Market will expand
Indicator: Home-based Micro-processing
Method: Observation, General Survey
Timeline: July 2017 - June 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Certified Kitchen will be completed and Farmers Market will be used irregardless of grant support
Indicator: Home-based Micro-processing
Method: Observation and markets sales survey
Timeline: July 2017 - June 2020
Long-term Outcome: Certified Kitchen will be in use and serving local produce to clientele, farmers market will have permanent place in community, horticultural crops will be diversified and receipts will reflect a stable and growing industry in horticulure/silvaculture
Indicator: Home-based Micro-Processing
Method: Observation and Market Sales Survey
Timeline: On-going
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Horticultural Workshops, (Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowering Plants), Greenhouse Production
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Powerpoints, Woodland Owner Short-course, Pesticide Certification Trainings
Inputs: Agents, Assistants & Specialists
Date: July 2017 - June 2020
Audience: Farmers Market Producers
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training
Content or Curriculum: KDA-approved curriculum (PBPT Power-Point)
Inputs: ANR and FCS Agents
Date:July 2018-June 2020
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Commercial Kitchens are a way to expand market opportunities for Kentucky farmers. And while this approach has found marginal success in other counties, the newest such kitchen has a unique angle. Letcher County's Community Agricultural & Nutritional Enterprises (CANE), Inc. is tied closely to the healthcare industry, in fact it was created through a partnership between Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation (MCHC), Letcher Co. Extension, GROW Appalachia, and local producers. This par
Author: Nanette Banks
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Commercial kitchens are a way to expand market opportunities for Kentucky farmers. And while this approach has found marginal success in other counties, the newest such kitchen has a unique angle. Letcher County's Community Agricultural and Nutritional Enterprises (CANE), Inc. is tied closely to the healthcare industry, in fact it was created through a partnership between Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation (MCHC), Letcher Co. Extension, GROW Appalachia, and local producers. This partn
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Woodland Education
The Maple Syrup Industry continues to grow in the Commonwealth, with several Kentucky producers taking a serious look at what it offers to their farm income and off-season cash-flow. Like most agricultural enterprises, critical investments pay dividends down the road. To that end, two producers who have been on the forefront of the industry and have benefitted from Extension maple programming in Letcher County, have opted to increase the efficiency of their operations by utilizing Reverse Osmosi
