Increase Farm ProfitabilityPlan of Work

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Pulaski County CES

Title:
Increase Farm Profitability
MAP:
Increase Farm Profitability
Agents Involved:
Wilson, Adkins
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Integrated Plant Pest Management
Situation:

Pulaski County has a strong commercial horticulture industry. We have several green industry businesses as well as a very healthy number commercial growers of fruits, vegetables and processed products. 

Beef and hay are two major agricultural products for Pulaski County. Pulaski County ranks 2nd in the state for both.

Two farmers' markets serve the consumers of this area and meet their needs in different ways. Pulaski Co is also very near two produce auctions.

Emerging issues pop up in any industry and agriculture and horticulture are no different. Profitability is maximized when crops are produced successfully and marketed equally successfully.

Marketing is key. Produce growers do not make a dime growing a product, only selling it. More markets need to be explored, especially with kids and our school systems.


Long-Term Outcomes:

Growers will gain income and markets from produce crops, processed goods, and other tangential products.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Growers will employ IPM practices to successfully grow crops.

Growers will gain markets in wholesale and/or retail produce.

The general public will buy more from local growers at farmers markets and roadside stands.

Schools will buy produce from local growers.

Initial Outcomes:

Growers will learn about emerging issues as it relates to what they grow.

Growers will learn about markets available and how to get into those markets.

Consumers will learn about local foods & their availability.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Growers will learn about IPM, markets, emerging issues, etc

Indicator: attendance at meetings, farm visits

Method: various meetings for commercial growers

Timeline: throughout year 2018-19



Intermediate Outcome: Consumers will buy more local products (fresh and processed)

Indicator: increase in sales at farmers' markets

Method: personal communication

Timeline: fall 2019


Long-term Outcome: Growers will gain income

Indicator: More gross sales

Method: personal communication

Timeline: end of growing season

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Commercial growers

Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training

Content or Curriculum: GAP curriculum and 3rd party audits

Inputs: KDA specialists, powerpoints

Date: winter 2019


Audience: Commercial growers

Project or Activity: Farmers' markets meetings, Senior Farmers Market nutrition program training

Content or Curriculum: updates from KDA personnel

Inputs: KDA specialists

Date: mainly winter but throughout 2018-19


Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: info booth at farmers' markets

Content or Curriculum: UK publications & recipes

Inputs: Plate It Up Recipe cards, food

Date: during farmers' market season


Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: Local foods program

Content or Curriculum:UK publications & recipes

Inputs: Lexington Local Food coordinator, local Market on Main founder

Date: Prior to growing season



Success Stories

Commercial Horticulture isThriving in Pulaski County

Author: Bethany Wilson

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

     Pulaski County boasts a robust commercial vegetable and fruit industry.  Between two farmers’ markets, several large on-farm markets, and one of the largest commercial wholesale vegetable and strawberry producers in the state, growers range from small to large and their needs can be quite different. Several trainings for Pulaski County’s commercial horticulture producers were offered during the year.       A training on growing crops in hi

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