Extension
It Starts With Us
Local Foods and Small Farms
Production Agriculture
M. Chadwick
Small Ruminants
Commercial Horticulture
Poultry
Local Food Systems
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.
-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.
-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 Microprocessing
-Microprocessing
-Better Processing Control School
-USDA GAP
-Created and marketed safe food products
-Apply food safety practices
-Create value added agricultural food items
-Market agricultural products locally
-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)
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: 2016-2017
Intermediate Outcome: Earn certification
Indicator: Increased amount of request for certification classes/programs
Method: Request count comparison over time
Timeline: 2017-2018
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: 2018-2020
Audience: Small scale vegetable growers, freezer meat producers, general public,
Project or Activity: Small Farms Series
Content or Curriculum: Various Tracks (Vegetable crop production, Bees, small ruminents, 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: 2017-2018
Audience: Vegetable producers
Project or Activity:Vegetable GAP and Sampling certificate training
Content or Curriculum: GAP and Sampling guideline
Inputs: :UK and KSU faculty, professional staff, publications, and research information,
Date:Spring 2018
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 2016-2020
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: 2017-2018
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