Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Sowing the Seeds of Change: Elevating Kentucky's Local Food Systems Summit

Author: LaToya Drake

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Sowing the Seeds of Change: Elevating Kentucky's Local Food Systems Summit

When Kentuckians choose to purchase locally grown food, studies show that up to $7 out of every $10 spent stays within the local economy, directly supporting Kentucky’s farmers and community-based businesses. With this in mind, the 2025 Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit + F.E.A.S.T. aimed to unite food system professionals, farmers, chefs, and community leaders to explore solutions for creating a more sustainable and vibrant local food economy. To ensure the summit&rsq

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Momentum at the Market: Friday Night Fun at the Farmers Market

Author: Nicole Rhein

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Following years of operating out of a parking lot, the Marshall County Farmers Market officially opened its new pavilion in 2025—and the response from the community has been encouraging.The season kicked off with record-breaking energy and engagement. One standout moment came during the “Friday Night Fun at the Farmers Market” event, which welcomed over 300 attendees. The evening featured two food trucks, 10 local vendors, and six free family-friendly activities, transforming t

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2025 Community Garden

Author: Evan Tate

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Exercise and Activity for residents of assisted living centers is a necessity for good health. Residents often enjoy have day to day task and these routines can be apart of an exercise regiment that promotes mobility and wards off obesity.  Additionally, assisted living centers often operate on tight budgets and are constantly looking for sources of healthy food at an affordable price.The Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, Audubon Area Community Services and local businesses all

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Reduced Pesticide Use

Author: Ted Johnson

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Describe the Issue or Situation. Many gardeners where concerned about the amount of pesticide residue on their sweet corn that they where having to apply to reduce the insects on their sweet corn. In the past several years gardeners have had to deal with higher than average rain fall, resulting in insect control chemicals applied to their garden being less effective due to excessive rain fall washing the chemical from the plants allowing the insects to attack the plants. Describe the Outrea

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Farmers' Market Carnival

Author: Kara Back-Campbell

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Taylor County Farmers' Market experiences lower customer numbers during the fall months. As produce wanes, the horticulture agent created a carnival to attract families to the market. Also, families are targeted to try to increase WIC voucher participation. Children were able to play carnival games, win prizes, and enjoy freshly popped popcorn. There was a total of 111 participants at the market on this day. Other market days where there is not an event averaged 27 customers.&n

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Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Author: Emily Davis

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Pike County is considered a food desert, and with rising costs for both grocery buyers and farmers, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program has become a huge help to low-income seniors and local growers. The program allows eligible seniors to purchase farm-fresh produce, fresh-cut herbs, and honey, helping them eat healthier while also offsetting high grocery store prices.The Pike County Extension Office previously issued senior vouchers at the farmers market. However, to better accommodate

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Showcasing Local Agriculture Prodcuts

Author: Nick Roy

Major Program: Local Food Systems

In the early Summer of 2025, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service brought together local leaders, business owners, and community members for a unique and impactful Farm to Fork event in partnership with the Adair County Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by the Adair County Extension Agents, the program featured a locally sourced meal and a dynamic lineup of programming that highlighted the importance of agriculture in the local economy and encouraged the community to support local producers.

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Growing Health and Access — Sprouts & Microgreens Workshop Flourishes in Urban Community

Author: Ola Donahue

Major Program: Local Food Systems

On March 20, 2025, a dynamic collaboration between Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent Denise Donahue and Horticulture Agent Brandon George brought healthy living and hands-on gardening directly to the community with their workshop, “Sprouting Health: Growing Microgreens at Home.” Over 31 participants gathered to learn how to grow sprouts and microgreens in small, indoor spaces — a practice ideal for urban residents with limited access to outdoor gardening or fresh produce

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Sowing Seeds of Success: Demonstration Garden Flourishes in Whitley County

Author: Benjamin Prewitt

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Sowing Seeds of Success: Demonstration Garden Flourishes in Whitley CountyThe Whitley County Extension Office, in a groundbreaking partnership with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, proudly celebrates the establishment of its new Demonstration Garden—a thriving educational space designed to empower local residents with hands-on knowledge in vegetable gardening and pest management.Recognizing a shared mission to promote environmental stewardship, sustainable agriculture, and community education,

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Homesteading 101 series

Author: Gregory Drake

Major Program: Local Food Systems

 The Butler County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Family and Consumer Science developed a homesteading program to teach people interested in the subject about beekeeping, sour dough bread making, and mushroom production.  The program was developed and offered because local leaders have identified homesteading and heritage skills as areas of emphasis.  Butler County Extension Agents and a UK Extension Forestry specialist presented the information.  Clients were able to r

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Revitalizing a Rural Market: Marshall County’s Farmers Market Transformation

Author: Nicole Rhein

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Marshall County, Kentucky, is a rural community rich with hardworking farmers and innovative entrepreneurs. However, for years, these producers lacked a proper venue to market their goods. The Marshall County Farmers Market operated out of the Extension Office parking lot—a temporary setup that limited visibility, accessibility, and vendor participation. By the end of the 2024 season, only a handful of consistent vendors remained.That all began to change in 2022, when the Marshall County E

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Raising the Steaks

Author: Leann Martin

Major Program: Local Food Systems

One thing that the Covid 19 pandemic showed us as consumers, was that food security could easily become an issue in the United States. With layoffs and shutdowns, we rapidly saw the grocery store shelves become bare. This was increasingly true at the meat counter. That, along with the desire for consumers to know where their food comes from, significantly increased the demand for local meat products. As a result, there has been a heightened demand for more local beef and pork producers to offer

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Growing Community

Author: Jamie Dockery

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Food insecurity in Fayette County, Kentucky, is a pressing issue that affects over 33,000 residents, with a notable disparity among children. Approximately 12.8% of children in the county experience food insecurity, higher than the county’s average of 10.3% for the general population. In some neighborhoods these rates are significantly higher.This problem is multifaceted and has significant implications. For children, inadequate access to nutritious food can lead to developmental and acade

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Housing Authority Garden Project

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Fresh food accessibility can be minimal when operating on a limited budget.  This can be especially true without knowledge of how to properly grow, prepare and preserve fresh food products.  Residents and administration of the Franklin Housing Authority expressed an interest in collaborating with the Simpson County Extension Service to grow a demonstration garden on the Housing Authority property.  In response, the Simpson County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resourc

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Empowering Shelby County’s Small Farms through Marketing for All 3.0

Author: Corinne Belton

Major Program: Local Food Systems

In 2025, Marketing for All 3.0 brought together multiple county cooperative extension offices and the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification in an innovative partnership aimed at strengthening small farms across the region. This pilot program targeted farm operators seeking to improve their marketing skills, with a special focus on Shelby, Henry, Trimble and Oldham Counties — a region rich in agricultural heritage and emerging specialty crop producers.Shelby County is home

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Country Ham

Author: Ted Johnson

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Describe the Issue or Situation. Lee County citizens has a issue with not being able to access nutritious health foods and food insecurities. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). The Lee County Extension Staff developed a program where we addressed food insecurities with a hands on country ham curing program. we had over 25 participants directly and over 50 more indirectly. 15 of the participants had never preserved any food of any source.Prov

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Homesteading

Author: Lorin Fawns

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Buffalo Trace Homesteading Series is a hands-on educational initiative to empower community members with sustainable agriculture skills. The program focuses on practical techniques in food preservation, gardening, mushroom cultivation, and meat processing. Designed to promote self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship, the series provides participants with the knowledge and confidence to apply these practices in their own homes and farms. With over 75 participants from diverse background

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Bourbon County Horticulture Program Supports Local Food Systems

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The demand for locally grown food continues to rise across Kentucky, and Bourbon County’s horticulture program is helping meet that need through targeted education and outreach.To date, the program has delivered over 20 educational events, including classroom lessons, field demonstrations, and presentations for both adult and youth audiences. Additionally, more than 100 one-on-one consultations have been provided to address local food systems-related questions and topics—from backyar

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment