Calloway County CES

Title:

2024 Local Foods/Commercial Horticulture

MAP:

Production Agriculture

Agents Involved:

M. Chadwick, D. Hixon

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Substance Use Recovery - ANR

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Small Farm Diversification

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Local Food Systems

Situation:

Local food continues to be in demand from consumers, restaurants, retail outlets and institutions (including schools). However, there is a disconnection between the production, processing, marketing and distribution segments of the local food system, especially for small and minority farmers. With sales from Kentucky food products expected to increase from $14 million (2014) to $24 million in 2020, Extension has resources to educate agricultural producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning, and marketing strategies to expand the local food system for the demand, while also being good steward of the land and water.

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Increase in the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, or community supported agriculture

-Increase access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets, school and other institutions

-Maintain or increase consumer confidence/ demand in local foods

-Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Applied Extension Resources for Planning and Decision Making

-Develop an Ag Plan using decision making tools ( i.e. cost efficiency)

-Create a budget and/or marketing plan

-Diversify the types and varieties of produce grow and sold

-Apply best management practices in marketing (i.e. pricing)

-Apply food safety practices and/or procedures

-Earn certification(s) for:

              -Redeeming USDA script (i.e. WIC or Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program)

               -Selling and /or providing samples at farmer’s markets

                -Home Based Micro processing

                -Micro processing

                 -Produce Best Management Practices  

                 -USDA GAP

-Created and marketed safe food products

-Apply food safety practices

-Create value added agricultural food items

-Market agricultural products locally

Initial Outcomes:

-Review types and varieties of produce

-Locate crop profiles, decision tools and resources

-Describe advantages and disadvantages of marketing strategies (i.e. CSA, U-Pick, Farm to School, freezer beef)

-Interpret food safety handling procedures

-Understand procedures for safe food processing

-Interpret purchasing rules and regulations from contract buyers

-Research liability issues related to food safety

-Identify production methods and agricultural food products that extend the growing season (i.e. high tunnels, hydroponics)

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Describe advantages and disadvantages of marketing strategies (i.e. CSA, U-Pick, Farm to School, freezer beef)

Indicator: Development of marketing plans

Method: One on one conversations

Timeline: 2024

Intermediate Outcome: Earn certification

Indicator: Increased amount of request for certification classes/programs

Method: Request count comparison over time

Timeline: 2024-2026

Long-term Outcome: Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations

Indicator: Local producers reinvest in farm operations overtime

Method: One on one conversation

Timeline: 2024-2026

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Small scale vegetable growers, freezer meat producers, general public,

Project or Activity: Small Farms Field Day 

Content or Curriculum: Various Tracks (Vegetable crop production, Bees, small ruminants, etc.)

Inputs: UK and KSU faculty, professional staff, publications, and research information, Center for Crop Diversification, Food Systems Innovation System, State and federal agencies (KDA, Health and Family Services/Public Health) Commodity, grower and farm market associations UK Weather Center

Date: Spring 2024

Audience: Vegetable producers

Project or Activity: PBPT, Sampling certificate training

Content or Curriculum: PBPT and Sampling guideline

Inputs: :UK and KSU faculty, professional staff, publications, and research information,

Date: Annual 

Audience: Farmers Market Shoppers and Vendors

Project or Activity: Educational Booth

Content or Curriculum: information about the local shopping, in season produce, and recipes

Inputs: UK and KSU faculty, professional staff, publications, and research information,

Date: Monthly During Market Season 

Audience: Producers, Farm Managers, Certified Crop Advisors, Private Agronomist, County Agents, Ag Retailers, Farm Workers, Industry Reps. General Public, Point of Sale Employees

Project or Activity: Quarterly Newsletter, Monthly Newspaper Articles

Content or Curriculum: Timely Information

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research information, State and Federal Organizations

Date: On-Going

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Success Stories