Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
In a horticulture interest survey that the Warren County Extension Agent for Horticulture distributed for Plan of Work 2020, cut-flower production was ranked the highest interest among the growers surveyed. As a result of this finding, the horticulture extension agent began reaching out to commercial cut flower growers in the South Central Kentucky area for assistance.The horticulture extension agent contacted numerous cut-flower operations in the South Central Kentucky area including Briar Rose
Author: Daniel Becker
Jenny Clark runs a roadside vegetable stand in Caldwell County and attends local farmers markets as a vendor. She was looking to expand her high tunnel and field area to grow more vegetablesl but had difficulty with weed control. She was also inexperienced with water and fertilizer application. Through the county agent, Shane Bogle, she got in contact, interested in becoming a cooperator and demonstration site. Working with the extension associate, it was decided that the best avenue to economiz
Author: Christy Cassady
The Center for Crop Diversification’s monthly newsletter has been distributed to growers, extension agents and agricultural agency personnel since the fall of 2013. Most of the 1,700 subscribers receive an email notification when each newsletter is posted on the CCD website, with 39 subscribers receiving a hard copy in the mail. In the fall of 2019, the CCD conducted a survey of growers, extension agents and associates, and agency personnel who work with growers. The survey found that 127
Author: Mattea Mitchell
A local commercial tomato producer has struggled for the last two years with his production on his lower ground in Hickman County. After working with specialists, pathologists, and several different labs (including UK), the producer is on his way to healthier tomato production and solve problems for his lower production ground. Working with him from his starters, all the way up to mature plants, many issues were able to be addressed in regards to production. He wrote a response to the assis
Author: Kara Back-Campbell
Biological controls have been used for many years but often the price for shipping and lack of knowledge have left many producers turning to chemical control for their primary action of combat for disease. An extension entomology specialist contacted the Taylor County Horticulture Extension Agent for possible producers to participate in a grant study. Three producers showed interest in the research project. One who primarily grows ornamentals had used biologicals before. The grower was
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Kentucky farmers produce a wide range of specialty crops. In 2017, fruit and vegetable production in Kentucky was valued at $41.6 million. Specialty crops are susceptible to a range of diseases and pests that may limit produce yield and/or quality. County Extension agents are the first line of contact with the UK Extension Service, but they often request additional training and support for specialty crop practices. Thus, there is a constant need for continuing education for agents.&n
Apples are the most commonly grown fruit in Kentucky. Approximately 672 orchards produce between 450,000 and 750,000 bushels of apples per year, a value of $24.4 to $40.6 million. Most orchards in Kentucky have an agritourism focus and consist of mixed fruit plantings or specialty produce. Apple, blueberry, grape, peach, and strawberry are all susceptible to anthracnose diseases caused by the same family of fungi. Bitter rot of apple is the most significant of these disea
Author: Joshua Knight
During the first month of social distancing orders, Joshua Knight hosted a seminar Adding Your Farm Business to Google Maps with the Center for Crop Diversification as part of an ongoing weekly series of webinars to help growers interested in developing web-based direct sales, online ordering, or a general online presence. During the promotion phase, there were over 70 individuals signed up to watch the webinar live, with 26 attending. Survey responses by attendees have all rated the
Author: Anthony Tackett
The Bourbon County Extension Service worked closely with local producers in effectively managing and reducing their fertilizer and pesticide usage where appropriate during the past year. As production input costs increase local horticulture operations continue to look for ways to reduce costs. One way the Bourbon Horticulture Extension has helped operations reduce costs is through more efficient management of soil fertility and pesticide usage. During the past year over 3
Local planning groups continue to place a high priority on commercial horticulture field demonstrations as an educational program delivery method. In response to these priorities the Bourbon Extension Office has worked with and supported the development of two new ongoing horticulture demonstrations. The first demonstration includes a modified commercial tomato trellising system to help smaller market growers ramp up production efficiently where appropriate. The Extension Serv
Author: Glen Roberts
Situation: Farm family decides to grow vegetables to supplement their off farm income. They set their plants after normal last killing frost in the spring. Plants were well established for three weeks when a forecast of a freeze occurred two days away. They consulted their local extension office and the ANR agent who had 50 years experience growing small scale commercial vegetables suggested constructing a low tunnel to protect the plants.Collaborators: ANR Agent, Glen Roberts,
Collaborators: Glen Roberts, ANR agent, Terry Bertram, ANR assistant, Danny Adams, KSU Small Farm Assistant, Justin Horton, FFA Adviser/VoAg instructor, Kathryn Tucker, School Food Service Director, Master Gardeners, VoAg and FCS students.Situation: Todays youth are unaware how good their food is grown. School cafeterias struggle to provide fresh nutritious, affordable locally grown vegetables for their food service. The ANR agent approached a school board member and the superi
Author: Kelly Jackson
Kentucky has the fastest-growing Amish population in the U.S. According to the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, the population of Kentucky Amish grew by 5,595 people since 2010 and is currently 8th in population with approximately 13,347 Amish. Christian County and neighboring Todd County are two of the three most populated counties in Kentucky. Many Amish in these two counties, grow and sell vegetables and depend on these sales for their livelihood. Due to limited access to phon
Author: Richard Bryant
The Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program "Farming for Cash" works with several different community-based organizations in order to educate beginning farmers on different production methods, pest management practices, and marketing strategies. This year, Kentucky State University has partnered with five community-based organizations from across the state. One of these organizations, Empucate International, helps train beginning farmers from African countries wh
Author: Kevin Lyons
A High Tunnel System, commonly called a “hoop house,” is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Since the establishment of this program, many high tunnels have been built throughout the state. It is a new growing system for them and therefore it is imperative to offer educational training to help them s
Author: Rachel Rudolph
High tunnels have the potential to provide specialty crop growers with the ability to extend the growing season and moderate the environment with respect to precipitation and temperature. This can translate to increased income from increased marketable yields and improved produce quality. High tunnels play an important role in the local food system of Kentucky. There are over 1,000 high tunnel across the state of Kentucky. High tunnel production is nuanced and growers face unique production chal
Author: Robert Kirby
Thru efforts of the University of Kentucky Horticulture Specialist, a three night education webinar series on high tunnel tomato production was offered across the state for agents to host in their counties. These webinars were hosted by our local Knox County Agriculture and Natural Resource agent where the series was well attended. All participants have reported less disease and insect pressure as well as an increase of five or more pounds of tomatoes per plant production. Participan
With most of the high tunnels in Knox County being NRCS grant funded, certain stipulations are agreed upon by producers when receiving the grant. One of the stipulations is that producers will agree to grow produce in the ground of the high tunnel for a minimum of four years. Almost all producers in the county have selected tomatoes as their primary crop because of the profit potential but have struggled growing in the ground the second and third years because of nematodes. To address the
