Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial Horticulture
Ag Awareness, Production and Marketing
Bell, Blankenship, Branstetter
Horticulture, Commercial
The Metcalfe County Ag Advisory Council and CEC have identified Commercial Horticulture as a Priority. There are many established fruit and vegetable operations in the county as well as operations that are new or in the establishment stage. Metcalfe County leads the state in the number of blueberry farms. Over 20 producers have constructed high tunnels as a result of the USDA EQUIP grant program. Orchards, nurseries and horticultural field crops can be seen throughout the landscape of the county. In order for these operations to remain sustainable, producers must be able to efficiently produce high yields, high quality and have a marketing plan that will allow them to be profitable.
Producers will increase yields, extend the growing season, realize a positive net income and continue to make a profit growing horticultural crops in Metcalfe County.
All participating producers in the Metcalfe Co. Farmers accept WIC and SFMNP vouchers during the Market season so voucher customers have a good variety of fresh produce products to choose from.
Producers of fruits and vegetables will use Best Management Practices, Integrated Pest Management, Variety and Yield Data and University of KY Recommendations in the production and marketing of commercial horticultural crops.
New MCFM Vendors who have not previously accepted the WIC & SFMNP vouchers will participate in the voucher training each year
Producers of horticultural crops will learn what they can do in the future to improve commercial operations by using research based information and recommended practices in their fruit and vegetable operations
Outcome: Initial
Indicator: Increased Knowledge
Method: Survey
Timeline: Fall Winter
Outcome: Intermediate
Indicator: Changed Practices
Method: Farm Visits/ Observation
Timeline: Spring/Summer
Outcome: Intermediate
Indicator: Increasing number of MCFM producer participants who accept WIC & SFMNP vouchers at the Metcalfe Co. Farmers Market
Method: # new and # returning producers who take voucher trainings annually
Timeline: April - October
Outcome: Long Term
Indicator: Profitability
Method: Survey/Sales
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Vegetable Short Course
Content or Curriculum: UK Research
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Publications
Date: Winter/Spring
Audience: Fruit Producers
Project or Activity: Pruning Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK Research
Inputs: Agents, Specialists
Date: Winter
Audience: Member producers (Metcalfe County and other local Farmer's Markets that participate in the SR and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Vouchers)
Project or Activity: Metcalfe Co. Farmers Market - Annual SR and WIC FMNP producer Voucher Training's
Content or Curriculum: KY Dept Agriculture WIC and SR FMNP training Power point and hand out materials
Inputs: Metcalfe Co. FCS Extension Agent, State WIC and SR FMNP program staff
Date: March/April
Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County farmer’s Market
Content or Curriculum: KDA Market Manual
Inputs: Agents, Producers, Volunteers
Date: April- November
Audience: Metcalfe TAG
Project or Activity: Ag Awareness
Content or Curriculum: 4-H and ANR pubs and Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers
Date: Fall
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Pumpkin production is on the increase in South Central Kentucky. The current demand of local grown agriculture products, and the booming agritourism industry have opened up a market for locally grown pumpkins. Pumpkins, as with all cucurbits, present unique challenges during the heat and humidity of Kentucky’s growing season. The weather related challenges and the need for production recommendations to be addressed led W8 Agriculture Agents to bring this twilight
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
No doubt that one positive result of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown was an increase interest in gardening and home food production. Many home owners planted fruit trees in an attempt to produce some high quality fresh fruit at home. West 8 Agriculture Agents have been getting requests for more programming on fruit tree care and pruning. In February 2024 a fruit tree pruning workshop was held on the farm of the Dennison family. The Dennison family are long time f
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Edmonton is the seat of Metcalfe County and has only two small grocery stores selling fresh produce. The produce on offer at the groceries is often poor in quality, limited variety, and costly. The Metcalfe County Farmers Market (MCFM) 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 locally grown produce. MCFM operates on Extension
