Extension
It Starts With Us
Increase Farm Profitability
Increase Farm Profitability
Wilson, Adkins
Commercial Horticulture
Beef
Farmer's Markets
Integrated Plant Pest Management
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.
Growers will gain income and markets from produce crops, processed goods, and other tangential products.
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.
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.
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
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
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
