Diversification and AlternativesPlan of Work
Bath County CES
Title:
Diversification and Alternatives
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Gary Hamilton
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farmer's Markets
Situation:
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.
Long-Term Outcomes:
New markets and opportunities will strengthen Bath County’s agricultural economy and Homeowners will produce more of the food they eat.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Acceptance of new marketing opportunities and production information.
Initial Outcomes:
Improved Farmers Market, Growth of Wholesale Produce Auction, Increase number of home gardens, Expanded Business Opportunities, Expanded citizen knowledge base of alternatives.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Intermediate Outcome: Increase commercial and home garden production & utilization
Indicator: Increase educational level and number of gardens planted.
Method: Educational meetings, Mass Media, & Demonstrations.
Timeline: January - December - Educational Meetings
Long-term Outcome: Strengthened markets for non-traditional crops
Indicator: Increased sales and production of non-traditional crops
Method: Sales Receipts and New Enterprises
Timeline: Throughout the 4-year Plan of Work period.
Learning Opportunities:
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 2017
Success Stories
commercial grower marketing improvment
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing
The Bath County Produce auction has been in existence for a number of years. The original goal was to provide local and regional producers an opportunity to diversify their operations, transition away from tobacco and increase farm revenue. Even though the market has provided an opportunity to do these things, it has not grown in the past 8 years and has not been able to recruit the buyers needed to establish a wholesale market in the area. This year, the extension office has w
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Farmers market enhancement
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Bath County extension office has been working with the farmers market group to increase their opportunities in the county. In 2017 the farmers market association, with support from the extension ag program, was granted permission to use the Kentucky market pavilion by the extension district to conduct sales through December. This allowed local farmers 3 additional months to market late fall produce in an indoor setting. To enhance sales and attract more buyer to the m
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- Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
- S107 Ag. Science Center North
- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
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