Extension
It Starts With Us
Diversification and Alternatives
Ag and Natural resources
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Commercial Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
County farmers continue to search for non-traditional sources of farm income and home owners have developed a renewed interest in home gardening. The Bath County Agricultural Education and Marketing Center offers facilities for value-added processing, retail and wholesale sales for both direct and processed products. The Bath County Extension Agriculture Advisory Council has directed that Extension Programs be focused around the Center and the opportunities it has to offer as well as promoting home grown produce.
New markets and opportunities will strengthen Bath County’s agricultural economy and Homeowners will produce more of the food they eat.
Acceptance of new marketing opportunities and production information.
Improved Farmers Market, Growth of Wholesale Produce Auction, Increase number of home gardens, Expanded Business Opportunities, Expanded citizen knowledge base of alternatives.
Initial Outcome: increased number of participation
Indicator: participation
Method: number involved
Timeline: summer months
Intermediate Outcome:development of new opportunities
Indicator:new markets
Method:observation
Timeline:throughout the year
Long-term Outcome: growth and sustainability of market channels
Indicator: increased participation and market growth
Method:surveys and revenue tracking
Timeline:during marketing season
Audience: Farmers Market and Produce Auction
Project or Activity: Planning Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Market improvement and new opportunities
Inputs: UK, Vendors, boards, Auction Manager, UK specialists
Date: February, March
Audience: Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Project or Activity: Regional Produce Growers Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Production and Market Updates
Inputs: UK, Vendors, boards, Auction Manager, UK specialists
Date: December
Audience:Public
Project or Activity: Outdoor grilling and food safety workshop with SNAP input
Content or Curriculum: Food handling, meat selection, seasoning, SNAP
Inputs: UK specialists, SNAP
Date: summer 2020
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The extension office has been working closely with the Bath County Farmer's Market group to provide more marketing opportunities, increased farm revenue and growth in the number of local producers who are participating. Over the past 2 years a number of initiatives have taken place. The farmer's market developed their own Facebook page, maintained by members of the market, where updates can be made almost instantly. The page has allowed local consumers to view what prod
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The Bath County Extension Office hosted the east region Hemp production meeting which was designed to provide technical information related to hemp production. The program was designed to address the needs of both beginner and established growers. Topics included in the program included: Production systems, site selection and soils, budgets and risk management, cultivar information, fertility, planting, pests and risks, harvest and equipment.The participants spent 8 hours with UK spe
