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
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 2019-20
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, powerpoints
Date: mainly winter but throughout the year
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: Laura Rogers
Major Program: KSU Small Farm Program
Kentucky State University’s Small Farm Program and Beginning Farmer Project, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky and Cedar Ridge Ministry, worked together to distribute seven tons of Yukon Gold seed potatoes to the beginning and minority farmers across Kentucky to plant in the spring of 2019. Susan and George Miller, Lincoln County, wanted to produce potatoes to sell at the farmers’ market. They had funds to purchase seed potatoes to plant, but money for this
Author: Edith Lovett
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
The Pulaski County Farmers report that this has been one of their most profitable years for selling fresh strawberries. Clients from Pulaski County and other counties in Kentucky have been shopping at local farmers sites to purchase the best strawberries in Kentucky. The two local farmers markets were not opened in May for the farmers to use these sites, so they had to rely on other social media to get the word out about the strawberrie
Author: Bethany Wilson
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
Pulaski County has had two farmers markets for 16 years yet neither has a pavilion or structure to protect them and their customers from the weather. In February 2019, four farmers and the Pulaski County Horticulture Agent met with the new Somerset mayor, the community development specialist, and the County Judge Executive. The city agreed to build the structure using grant monies available from the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP). &nbs
