Author: Paul Vijayakumar
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)is a federal law transforming the nation’s food safety system. The “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption”, aka “Produce Safety Rule (PSR),” establishes for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The rule is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a federal law transforming the nation’s food safety system. The “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption”, aka “Produce Safety Rule (PSR),” establishes for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The rule is part of the agency’s ongoing effo
Good agricultural practices (GAPs) and Good handling practices (GHPs) are voluntary audit programs to validate the production, handling, packaging, and storage procedures of vegetable and fruits to ensure their microbial safety. Fresh fruits and vegetables are minimally processed and do not go through a kill step unlike processed food, and are consumed raw increasing the risk of food safety among consumers. This program is necessary for farmers trying to sell wholesale (i.e., beyond the farmers
Author: Steven Musen
The recognition of the benefits of locally-grown foods in terms of superior flavor, food safety and availability of heritage and unique ethnic vegetable varieties has caused the popularity of community gardens to steadily increase, especially in urban and sub-urban areas. FY 2017-2018 has seen an increase in the Jessamine County Extension Service’s involvement in several unique community garden projects.The “Garden of The Nations” Community Garden has been developed by Asbury T
The Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Services has a strong partnership with the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market. This past year was the first year as a market for the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market. The overwhelming support and excitement for the farmer’s market allowed for the vendors’ income to far exceed expectations for a beginning market. As a wrap-up of the season, the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market wanted a celebratory program to display vendors and what th
Author: Shane Bogle
Summer is an important time in West Kentucky. Its a time of plenty, and in Kentucky there is plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables available to enjoy. According to the CDC 45% of Kentuckians consume fresh fruits and vegetables at least 1.5 times each day. Since fresh fruits and vegetables are often consumed raw, producing them safely to reduce the risk of food borne illness is of utmost importance. The CDC reports that 48 million people a year are affected by some form of
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
Haycraft Urban Garden The Haycraft Urban Garden (HUG) is a community garden started as an appropriation of the Improved Health Outcomes Program (iHOP) Grant received by the Lincoln Trail Health Department in collaboration with the City of Elizabethtown, the Lincoln Trail Health Department and the Cooperative Extension Service. This grant envisions that a community’s health status can be improved through convenient and structured opportunities for physical activity and nutrition
Author: Shad Baker
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
Author: T. Adam Probst
Farms are an essential and diverse part of Kentucky’s economy, contributing billions of dollars each year across the State. In Woodford County alone, agriculture and the businesses that support it are responsible for one out of three jobs and $565 million in annual revenue. In an effort to promote agriculture, local farms, and producers in the County, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service hosted the first annual Woodford County Farm to Table dinner. The dinner was made pos
Author: Shawn Wright
Philip Konopka, ANR Agent Lewis County, and I worked with an individual in his county that has a landscaping business and some fruit and vegetable production. He was looking to expand his season to provide work for his landscaping crew so we decided to help him with approximately 1/4-acre of plasticulture strawberries. I used some of my Horticulture Council Funding, and Philip used some of his funding, and the client provided labor along with management of the patch. Philip, th
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require that acidified/canned foods need to be tested by a qualified person, called a Process Authority, to make sure the products are safe. While large processing plants have their own Process Authority to test these foods, small businesses in Kentucky and other states depend on qualified University Extension Specialists to help them. As the Process Authority at the Food Systems Innovation Center, partnering with the Food Microbio
Author: Chadwick Conway
For the past few years Eastern Kentucky has seen a huge growth in the demand for local food. Due to this, the county has seen a resurgence of small part time farming. In response, during the spring of 2017, various community organizations and leaders in agriculture created the East Kentucky Farmer Conference. Because the location for the conference was held in Hindman, KY, the Knott County ANR Agent served on the planning Committee, representing University of Kentucky Extension. Through the
Author: Christopher Schalk
The face of agriculture is changing event in Barren County, one of Kentucky’s most prolific agriculture counties. An event to honor the rich tradition of production agriculture was needs, but fewer and fewer Barren County citizens have the direct contact with the farm. As folks loose direct contact with farm life, they understand the real story of farm to fork. The Barren County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the Glasgow Barren County Chamber of Commerce to host the Barren Co
Author: Leann Martin
Locally grown fruits and vegetables are not only healthier, they are also much fresher than produce bought from a grocery store. The concept of “Farm to Table” comes from the idea of knowing exactly where the food you eat comes from. The Agriculture Extension Agent and SNAP-Ed Assistant of the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service brought the Farm to Table idea to the mentally handicapped adults of Lifeskills Industries.By constructing a raised container garden out of agricultur
Author: Anthony Tackett
Master Gardeners are involved with many different types of community projects throughout the year. One of these projects during the past year involved establishing an urban garden at a local adult daycenter and retirement center. Several volunteers came together to organize this project along with the support of several local businesses. The intent of this project was to act as a therapeutic garden for the residents of the center to provide additional sensory stimulation and ph
Author: Faye Kuosman
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a federal law transforming the nation’s food safety system. The “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption”, aka “Produce Safety Rule (PSR),” establishes for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The FSMA Produce Safety Rule requires at least one super
Kentucky GAP program was revamped by a joint effort between KDA and Food Systems Innovation Center. This update was necessary to include the latest information and practices from the new Federal Food Safety Modernization Act, Produce Safety Rule implemented by the FDA in 2016. New training will be offered to growers who offer raw samples at farmers market approved by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and roadside stands approved by Kentucky Farm Bureau. The new program is called “Prod
