Extension
It Starts With Us
Growing Our Local Food System
Local Food System
Hackworth, Slone
Local Food Systems
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
Local Food System Development and Mapping
One in five adults have difficulty getting affordable fresh fruits and vegetables where they live. In Eastern Kentucky, it can be even more so. The county can benefit from a stronger local food systems. Consumer and producer interest in rebuilding community food systems is significant at this time. Extension can and has been playing a pivotal role in helping food producers, entrepreneurs, buyers, and consumers work toward more vibrant rural communities with strong local food systems. Stronger local food systems can help everyone eat a healthier diet while benefiting local producers, the local economy and communities.
*Citizens will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings per day
*Residents improve food management skills and improve healthy eating habits
*Producers will increase fruit and vegetable production and sell more locally
*Local produce will be marketed to local venues
*Residents will have better access to more locally produce
*Eligible residents will increase redemption of nutrition program benefits at local markets
*Residents planting, harvesting and preserving produce will increase
*Residents will learn food preparations skills, food management skills, food safety, and healthy eating habits
*People accessing emergency food sources will be able to have more locally grown products
*Residents will understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to their health and financial well-being
*Residents will learn to grow, prepare, and preserve food
*Residents will learn to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eaten into a healthy diet
*Residents will increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety, and food resource management
*Residents will learn about community support services to increase food security
*Producers will increase knowledge of more efficient production practices
Initial Outcome: Individuals will have access more local foods
Indicator: Number who reported utilizing delivery systems/access points that offer healthy foods
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys - Farmer's Market participation, WIC voucher redemption, God's Food Pantry Involvement
Timeline: Spring & Summer
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals will learn to grow, prepare and preserve food
Indicator: Number of individuals who report supplementing their diets with healthy foods that they produced/preserved
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys
Timeline: Spring & Summer
Long-Term Outcome: Community health and economy are improved through local organizational leadership
Indicator: Number of people who are involved in addressing significant community issues
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys
Timeline: Year-round
Long-Term Outcomes: Individuals will increase average fruit and vegetable consumption by 1 or more servings daily
Indicator: Number individuals who reported eating more healthy foods
Indicator: Number of youth who reported eating more healthy foods
Method: Observations, Questionnaires, or Surveys
Timeline: Year-round
Audience: Horticultural Producers and Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Fruit & Gardening Programs
Content or Curriculum: beginning gardening, variety selection, pest control, fruit pruning and grafting, small area production, processing and preservation, marketing
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Year round
Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: County ANR newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Addresses various issues at critical time
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Monthly
Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Other agricultural production programs
Content or Curriculum: Various agricultural related issues, special events
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations
Date: As needed
Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Public display, media promotion, FCS Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up! KY Proud
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Year round
Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Food Safety
Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations
Date: Summer
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Youth engagement in food and vegetable access
Content or Curriculum: Youth Fruit and Vegetable Access- Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations
Date: As needed
Author: Keith Hackworth
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
At the direction of our leadership, Extension has been collaborating with several community groups over the years. One such group is the Saint Vincent’s Mission Grow Appalachian Program. The program works with lower income and beginning gardeners by assisting them in the production of fruits and vegetables to feed their family. Participants are encouraged their second year of the program to market some of their excess produce and products at various venues, the farmers market being one. &n
