Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Local Food Systems
Strengthening Local Food Systems
Moses (Community Arts), Burgard (FCS), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Local Food Systems
Building Healthy Coalitions
Local Food System Development and Mapping
The Southeastern U.S., relative to the nation, can benefit from stronger local food systems. In Kentucky, agricultural receipts will top $5 billion for the first time in 2011. Consumer and producer interest in rebuilding community food systems is significant. County Extension Offices can play a pivotal role in helping food producers, entrepreneurs, buyers, and consumers work toward more vibrant rural communities with strong local food systems. Stronger local food systems can help everyone eat a healthier diet while benefitting the local economy and communities.
Over the past several years, local food has grown in demand and along with this demand an increase in farmers trying to supply the demand has occurred. Whitley County currently has three active Farmers Markets. The city of Corbin has been recognized at the national level for their efforts in using local foods as an economic driver in rebuilding their Main street.
In Whitley County, 5-10% Farmers had direct sales in 2015 according to the USDA's Food Environment Atlas. Whitley County Extension plays a pivotal role in helping food producers, entrepreneurs, buyers, and consumers work toward more vibrant rural communities with strong local food systems. Stronger local food systems can help everyone eat a healthier diet while benefitting the local economy and communities.
-Make a noticeable financial impact on the Whitley County farming economy
-Communities sustain coalitions to address local food systems
-Policy changes are discussed to increase awareness and access
-The number of entrepreneurs in the community is increased due to local food systems
-Strong and diverse local food systems are integrated into community development efforts
-Increase access to markets for farmers
-Local food access is
established
-appropriate match between producers and consumers so sustained locally
-Community coalitions are established to address access to local foods and utilization of local food
-local food production friendly land use and other policies being adopted.
-Whitley County residents learn to grow, prepare and preserve food.
-Whitley County residents learn to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eaten into a healthy diet
-Whitley County residents learn about community support services to increase food security
-Increased awareness among general public, increased access to "local" foods
-Communities begin listening sessions to discuss their goals in local foods
-local land use and other policies supportive of new food initiatives
Initial Outcome: Whitley County residents learn to grow, prepare and preserve food.
Indicator: More people gardening and cooking at home.
Method: Post-class surveys at 3 months and 6 months
Timeline: 1 year
Intermediate Outcome: Increase access to markets for farmers
Indicator: More restaurants will buy local foods and Farmer's Market will see increased sales.
Method: Sales at Farmer's Market are tracked by the market coordinators. Restaurants will provide Kentucky Proud purchasing information.
Timeline: 2 years
Long-term Outcome: Make a noticeable financial impact on the Whitley County farming economy
Indicator: Farm census data will show an increase in gross farm receipts in county
Method: Information will be online
Timeline: 4 years
Audience: Low-income families and Senior Citizens
Project or Activity: WIC and Sr. Vouchers plus Double Dollars
Content or Curriculum: Given by Health Dept and First Baptist Church
Inputs: Vouchers, Health Department, First Baptist Church Williamsburg, Community Farm Alliance Double Dollar program, Horticulture Agent
Date: 2023-2024
Audience: Farmer’s Market Vendors
Project or Activity: WIC and Sr. Vouchers plus Double Dollars
Content or Curriculum: Training on acceptance of vouchers
Inputs: Training, vouchers, Farmer's Market, Kentucky Dept of Agriculture, Horticulture Agent
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Low income families and members of community garden
Project or Activity: Community Gardens (various locations)
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Publications
Inputs: ID-128, Grow Appalachia, Horticulture Agent
Date: 2022-2024
Audience: Farmer’s Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Farmer’s Market Workshop Series
Content or Curriculum: Good Agricultural Practices, Sampling, WIC/SR. Voucher training, Field Trip, Homebased Microprocessing, Social Media, and Grant Opportunities
Inputs: Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Center for Rural Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Whitley County Public Health, Kentucky Dept of Public Health, and Horticulture Agent
Date: 2022-2024
Audience: Farmer's Market vendors
Project or Activity: Homebased Microprocessing (may be virtual)
Content or Curriculum: Homebased Microprocessing and renewal courses provided by UK
Inputs: Horticulture and FCS agents. DVD’s and online videos
Date: 2020-2024 (as needed in the rotation)
Audience: Non profits and people in need of food
Project or Activity: Farm to Food banks
Content or Curriculum: N/a
Inputs: Farmers, faith groups, horticulture agent, ANR agent
Date: 2020-2024
Audience: Farmer's Market vendors and other farmers
Project or Activity: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Content or Curriculum: Classes on how to start and sustain a CSA
Inputs: Online CSA resources, extension publications, Horticulture agent, farmers already doing CSA
Date: 2020-2024
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Growing fresh produce in Southeastern Kentucky can be a challenge for a lot of folks, to say the least. Our soil type along with our unpredictable weather during the growing season and the pests that come with this weather are a few of the primary factors associated with unsuccessful gardening in Kentucky. The Whitley County Cooperative Extension Service wanted the folks in our community to be aware of more of the non-traditional ways of growing produce, outside of your typical backyard gar
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
The problem: The Whitley County Cooperative Extension Service has been working with an influx of individuals and families that have decided to move into our community from numerous places around the United States. Many of these individuals and families are moving from a way of life centered around inner- city or suburban type of lifestyles and have never had the opportunity to try and grow their own food. On top of that, many of these individuals have never had the opportunity to participate in
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The problemSince being hired with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in September of 2021, I have worked diligently to rejuvenate the atmosphere and activeness of the Whitley County Farmers Market. With housing two different cities within the perimeters of Whitley County, the Whitley County Farmers Market takes place in two different locations on a weekly basis. In years past, there was an overwhelming difference in the number of Vendors as well as Market-Comers in each of
