Extension
It Starts With Us
Producers-Local Food Systems
Local Food Systems
Tackett, Slusher
Local Food Systems
Commercial Horticulture
Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing
Farmer's Markets
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.
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 (G.A.P, etc.)
•Select alternative crops that show profit potential
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 (G.A.P, etc)
•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:
Number of producers reporting increase in awareness of issues noted in 'short term outcomes'
Indicator:
number of producers reporting: growing variety of produce based on market demand, taking part in food safety training, reviewing processing information, reviewing/attending programs on extending growing seasons
Method:
end of meeting evaluations, follow up online evaluations, site visits
Timeline:
2017-2018
Intermediate Outcome:
number of commercial producers reporting practice changes made in the areas outlined in 'medium term outcomes'
Indicator:
number of producers who: develop general operations plans, create marketing plans, improve food safety practices, complete microprocessor training, attend GAP training
Method: pre/post meting evaluations, 3 month follow up online surveys
Timeline:
2017-2020
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: total increase of vendors selling direct to consumers, increased variety of local food products, schools using local foods, farm productivity improved
Method: pre/post meeting evaluations, 6 month meeting follow up surveys, site visits,
Timeline: 2017-2020
Audience:
Commercial Producers
Project or Activity:
GAP trainings
Content or Curriculum:
State GAP training materials
Inputs: GAP materials
Date: Spring 2018
Audience:
commercial producers
Project or Activity: alternative hort crop mtgs
Content or Curriculum: UK Center for Crop Diversification information
Inputs: Local office resources, UK specialists/research materials
Date: Winter 2017
Audience:
commercial producers
Project or Activity:
marketing local foods meeting
Content or Curriculum:
UK publications
Inputs: Agents time, local Extension Office resources, Specialists/research publications
Date: Spring 2019
Audience:
commercial producers
Project or Activity:
area producers/buyers meetings
Content or Curriculum:
UK publications, state market price reports
Inputs: time from buyers, UK Ag Economic publications, specialist time
Date: fall/winter 2018
Audience:
commercial producers
Project or Activity:
general vegetable productions meeting(s)
Content or Curriculum: UK production publications, Center for Crop Diversification crop profiles
Inputs: Agent time, specialists
Date: Ongoing 2018-2020
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
In an effort to offer more educational classes to commercial horticulture producers, specialists and agents with the university teamed up to offer a series of webinars on a variety of horticulture topics. The first series was offered in September and focused on Growing Strawberries in Kentucky. The first session was an introduction to growing strawberries and the second session discussed insect, disease, and weed management. A combination of specialists and agents presented th
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Bourbon County Extension Service serves local communities through a wide variety of outreach activities. These outreach efforts are designed for both groups and individuals. In response to local consumer requests the Bourbon Extension Horticulture program has delivered over 550 direct one-on-one educational consultations during the past year. These direct educational opportunities included a variety of activities including phone calls, emails, office visits, a
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Local planning groups continue to place a high priority on commercial horticulture field demonstrations as an educational program delivery method. In response to these priorities the Bourbon Extension Office has worked with and supported the development of two new ongoing horticulture demonstrations. The first demonstration includes a modified commercial tomato trellising system to help smaller market growers ramp up production efficiently where appropriate. The Extension Serv
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Bourbon County Extension Service worked closely with local producers in effectively managing and reducing their fertilizer and pesticide usage where appropriate during the past year. As production input costs increase local horticulture operations continue to look for ways to reduce costs. One way the Bourbon Horticulture Extension has helped operations reduce costs is through more efficient management of soil fertility and pesticide usage. During the past year over 3
