Bourbon County CES

Title:

Horticulture Product Safety and Marketing

MAP:

Horticulture Production and Marketing

Agents Involved:

Tackett

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Beekeeping

Situation:

Local food continues to be in demand from consumers, restaurants, retail outlets and institutions. It is anticipated that sales of Kentucky food products will continue to grow. Local producers must continue to grow their capacity to not only produce but to market their products the meet this demand.  These products must meet all local and federal food safety guidelines in order to ensure safe products. In order to add value to current fresh products, some producers would benefit from some packaging and processing.  These steps would not only enhance revenue but would also potentially expanse marketing season beyond the fresh field production window.  Consumers and contract buyers lack year round safe access to locally produced and/or processed foods. Extension serves as resource to provide training to insure locally grown food is safe, appropriate to meet local food demand, and meets purchasing compliance.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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 economic stability of farm operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Number of Producers who:

·Apply best management practices in marketing

·Apply food safety practices and/or procedures

·selling and /or providing samples at farmer’s markets

·receive Micro processing training

·complete USDA GAP certification

·Apply food safety practices

·Create value added agricultural food items

·Market agricultural products locally

·number of beekeepers properly bottling honey for sell

·extend growing season with high/low tunnels/greenhouses, etc.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers gain Knowledge and skills in the following areas by attending classroom style programs and demonstrations:

·season extension techniques

·local fresh marketing options including county and regional farmers markets

·pricing reports are utilized to properly price products

·•understand basic contracts and how to package and sell to wholesale sources

·local and state regulators involved in selling at farmers markets

·understand state and federal food safety regulations related to selling food products

·understand labeling requirements in fresh and processed foods

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

-local producers who understand  pricing 

-local food producers are aware of quality, quantity issues necessary to sell to local food buyers

-local producers who understand food safety and related regulations related to fresh and processed food products

Indicator:

-knowledge gained  on value added products

-knowledge gained on extending growing season and products

-knowledge gained on commercial contracts and pricing 

Timeline: 2021-024

Intermediate Outcome: 

-producers who sell value added products

-producers who expand growing season and products

-producers who expand their markets local and regionally

Indicator: 

Number of producers who expand their fresh and processed products.

number of producers who sell in new markets

Method: Pre, post tests and follow up surveys

Timeline: Summer 2023-24

Long-term Outcome: Produce availability is increased through season extension techniques and market are expanded through the sales of both unprocessed and processed products.

Indicator:

Method: Pre and Post Tests and Follow up evaluations

Timeline: Summer 2022-24

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Pricing local fresh products

Content or Curriculum: New Crops Opportunity Pricing Reports, KDA marketing materials

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Service (CES) agents, specialists, and  Kentucky CES publications and resources

Date: Fall 2023/Spring 2024

Audience: Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Good Ag Practices program

Content or Curriculum: GAP certification trainings

Inputs: Federal and state developed GAP certification program

Date: Spring 2024

Audience: Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Labeling Honey for Sale

Content or Curriculum: KDA honey labeling materials

Inputs: Local promotional support

Date: Summer 2024

Audience: Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Extending the growing season

Content or Curriculum: UK publications/presentations on high/low tunnels

Inputs: Local Extension Agent, Specialists consults

Date: Fall 2023