Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Local Food Systems
Strengthening Local Food Systems
Moses (Community Arts), Burgard (FCS), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Local Food Systems
Food Preparation and Preservation
Building Healthy Coalitions
Local Food System Development and Mapping
The Southeastern U.S., relative to the nation, can benefit from stronger local food systems. In Kentucky, agricultural receipts will top $5 billion for the first time in 2011. Consumer and producer interest in rebuilding community food systems is significant. County Extension Offices can play 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 benefitting the local economy and communities.
Over the past several years, local food has grown in demand and along with this demand an increase in farmers trying to supply the demand has occurred. Whitley County currently has three active Farmers Markets. The city of Corbin has been recognized at the national level for their efforts in using local foods as an economic driver in rebuilding their Main street.
In Whitley County, 5-10% Farmers had direct sales in 2015 according to the USDA's Food Environment Atlas. Whitley County Extension plays 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 benefitting the local economy and communities.
-Make a noticeable financial impact on the Whitley County farming economy
-Communities sustain coalitions to address local food systems
-Policy changes are discussed to increase awareness and access
-The number of entrepreneurs in the community is increased due to local food systems
-Strong and diverse local food systems are integrated into community development efforts
-Increase access to markets for farmers
-Local food access is
established
-appropriate match between producers and consumers so sustained locally
-Community coalitions are established to address access to local foods and utilization of local food
-local food production friendly land use and other policies being adopted.
-Whitley County residents learn to grow, prepare and preserve food.
-Whitley County residents learn to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eaten into a healthy diet
-Whitley County residents learn about community support services to increase food security
-Increased awareness among general public, increased access to "local" foods
-Communities begin listening sessions to discuss their goals in local foods
-local land use and other policies supportive of new food initiatives
Initial Outcome: Whitley County residents learn to grow, prepare and preserve food.
Indicator: More people gardening and cooking at home.
Method: Post-class surveys at 3 months and 6 months
Timeline: 1 year
Intermediate Outcome: Increase access to markets for farmers
Indicator: More restaurants will buy local foods and Farmer's Market will see increased sales.
Method: Sales at Farmer's Market are tracked by the market coordinators. Restaurants will provide Kentucky Proud purchasing information.
Timeline: 2 years
Long-term Outcome: Make a noticeable financial impact on the Whitley County farming economy
Indicator: Farm census data will show an increase in gross farm receipts in county
Method: Information will be online
Timeline: 4 years
Audience: Low-income families and Senior Citizens
Project or Activity: WIC and Sr. Vouchers plus Double Dollars
Content or Curriculum: Given by Health Dept and First Baptist Church
Inputs: Vouchers, Health Department, First Baptist Church Williamsburg, Community Farm Alliance Double Dollar program, Horticulture Agent
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Farmer’s Market Vendors
Project or Activity: WIC and Sr. Vouchers plus Double Dollars
Content or Curriculum: Training on acceptance of vouchers
Inputs: Training, vouchers, Farmer's Market, Kentucky Dept of Agriculture, Horticulture Agent
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Low income families and members of community garden
Project or Activity: Community Gardens (various locations)
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Publications
Inputs: ID-128, Grow Appalachia, Horticulture Agent
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Farmer’s Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Farmer’s Market Workshop Series
Content or Curriculum: Good Agricultural Practices, Sampling, WIC/SR. Voucher training, Field Trip, Homebased Microprocessing, Social Media, and Grant Opportunities
Inputs: Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Center for Rural Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Whitley County Public Health, Kentucky Dept of Public Health, and Horticulture Agent
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Farmer's Market vendors
Project or Activity: Homebased Microprocessing
Content or Curriculum: Homebased Microprocessing and renewal courses provided by UK
Inputs: Horticulture and FCS agents. DVD’s and online videos
Date: Spring 2025 and as needed for renewal
Audience: Non profits and people in need of food
Project or Activity: Farm to Food banks
Content or Curriculum: N/a
Inputs: Farmers, faith groups, horticulture agent, ANR agent
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Farmer's Market vendors and other farmers
Project or Activity: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Content or Curriculum: Classes on how to start and sustain a CSA
Inputs: Online CSA resources, extension publications, Horticulture agent, farmers already doing CSA
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Farmer’s Market attendees
Project or Activity: Providing samples of NEP approved recipes based on market produce
Content or Curriculum: NEP Recipes Database
Inputs: FCS Agent, NEP Program Assistant, FCS Program Assistant
Date: Spring/Summer 2024, Spring/Summer 2025
Audience: Whitley County Residences
Project or Activity: Food Preservation Workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications enabling hands-on and Demonstration workshops on how to safely prepare and preserve food.
Inputs: FCS Agent, UK Extension Specialist
Date: June - September annually
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
In Whitley County, Kentucky, located in the foothills of Appalachia. There is not a shortage of individuals who are still utilizing manual labor to grow a successful garden. Often times, being able to afford mechanized equipment that could make life easier is simply not an option for most. Thanks to the addition of the Shared Use Equipment program at the Whitley County Extension Office, folks in the community now have access to some mechanized equipment that was not an option
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
The issue centered around the difficulty of engaging underserved Hispanic and small farm communities in Whitley County through agricultural education. Many were unaware of available resources or lacked access to relevant programs. To bridge this gap, the Spanish-to-English Program was launched in February 2024, offering monthly bilingual sessions on key agricultural topics. The program has reached 380 participants, including 279 Hispanic contacts, with many returning each month, demonstrating on
