Local Food Systems
Local Food Systems
Jay Stone
Horticulture, Commercial
Local Food Systems
A current trend is for people to buy locally grown produce. Production and marketing of fruits and vegetables can be challenging. Extension has a wealth of information, excellent publications, and can assist commercial producers achieve their goals.
Producers develop sustainable, profitable businesses, offering high-quality produce and value added commodities for the public, while meeting food safety requirements. Increased sales and profitability, reduced expenses and risk, expanded access to local food. Increased variety of local foods. Minimized environmental impact.
Producers obtain proper certifications for operating a produce business and implement food safety practices. New producers selling locally.
Growers learn practices and methods of production, season extension, pest management, record keeping, pricing and management. Producers certifying market scales when used.
Initial Outcome: Production meetings
Indicator: Number of participants, responses to survey
Method: Survey
Timeline: Winter
Intermediate Outcome: Scales certified, sampling or processing certifications.
Indicator: Participation in scale checks, sampling or processing trainings.
Method: Meetings and scheduled scale certification day.
Timeline: Winter meeting, spring scale certification and market meeting.
Long-term Outcome: Increased availability of local produce, increased income.
Indicator: Farmers' market participation and farm sales.
Method: Grower survey, market observations.
Timeline: Throughout the year
Audience: Fruit & Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meeting or Webinar, Individual Assistances
Content or Curriculum: Varieties, diseases, insects, fertility
Inputs: UK specialists, publications, Plant and Insect Lab Diagnosis
Date: Winter
Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Vendors
Project or Activity: Scale Certification
Content or Curriculum: KDA Weights and Measures
Inputs: KDA personnel, vendor scales
Date: Winter, Market Season