Extension
It Starts With Us
Grow It Local and Reap the Harvest
Small Farm Agriculture
Shad Baker (Michael Mullins), Nanette Banks, Snap Assistant, Crystal Smith, Lee Adams
Local Food Systems
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Commercial Horticulture
Letcher County has depended upon a coal-based economy for over a century. That has led to a loss in vocational agriculture and the related infrastructure and knowledge base. The county also suffers from poor dietary habits and elevated levels of diet-related disease. Recognizing the correlation between diet and disease, many county and state-level specialists have advocated consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. One way to accomplish this is through promotion of local food production, farmers markets, and a certified kitchen to utilize local produce. Given that the county is over 90% forested, timber and non-timber products have the potential to greatly increase small farm agriculture receipts for local people.
Clients will have improved health
Clients will raise local produce
Agriculture will increase in importance to the local economy
Disease Levels will drop
Timber and Non-timber products will increase
Certified Kitchen will be in operation
Clients will put knowledge gained from Extension programs into practice by using recommended Forestry and Horticultural practices
Clients will increase fruit and vegetable consumption
The number of farmers seeking access to equipment, master loggers, soil testing, etc. will increase
Certified Kitchen will be completed
Requests for horticultural information will increase
Clients will value local food products and take steps to produce these crops
Farmers Market attendance and sales will increase
Increase in master logger or woodland owner participation
Increased demand for horticulture workshops
Planning for Certified Kitchen will advance
Initial Outcome: Certified Kitchen will be planned and Farmers Market will expand
Indicator:
Method: Observation, General Survey
Timeline: July 2017 - June 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Certified Kitchen will be completed and Farmers Market will be used irregardless of grant support
Indicator:
Method: Observation and markets sales survey
Timeline: July 2017 - June 2020
Long-term Outcome: Certified Kitchen will be in use and serving local produce to clientele, farmers market will have permanent place in community, horticultural crops will be diversified and receipts will reflect a stable and growing industry in horticulure/silvaculture
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Horticultural Workshops, (Fruits, Vegetables, & Herbs), Greenhouse Production
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Powerpoints, GAP Training, Woodland Owner Short-course, Master Logger Trainings, Pesticide Certification Trainings,
Inputs: Publications, Demonstrations, Shared-Use Equipment, grants/donations for certified kitchen
Date: July 2017 - June 2020
Audience: General
Project or Activity: Seed, Soil, & Savings
Content or Curriculum: U.K. Pubs & Powerpoint
Inputs: Agents & Assistants
Date: 2017 - 2020
Audience:
Project or Activity:
Content or Curriculum:
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Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Local Food Systems
When someone gets sick from eating a cantaloupe or a head of lettuce, it is quick to hit the news and social media. This is a concern to consumers and producers alike. For the consumer it elicits fears of illness or death. For the producer, thoughts tend towards legal action and bankruptcy. Neither is good. Though the US agriculture industry boasts one of the safest food supplies in the world, more can be done.The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and agents in Letcher County
