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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2025

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

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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Grow Appalachia Comes to Leslie County

Author: Michelle Brock

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Leslie County has long been considered a food desert with access to fresh foods limited. Most people have to drive 30 minutes or more to a grocery store where they can buy healthy foods. A lot of times driving that distance isn't an option due to not having transportation or money, leaving them with the only option, buying heavily processed foods from the local gas station.By bringing the Grow Appalachia program into our county we have the opportunity to provide free gardening education, gar

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Apple Tree Grafting

Author: Kaitlin Farlee

Major Program: Local Food Systems

With the growing interest in homesteading and the rising cost of food, learning how to graft apple trees has become an skill for many aspiring gardeners and farmers. In this hands-on workshop, the Horticulture Agent discussed the science of grafting and caring for your orchard. Participants were introduced to three common grafting methods tailored specifically for homeowners, along with advice on how to care for newly grafted trees during their early years of growth.The workshop not only provide

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

Author: Brandon George

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Success Story: Growing Health and Access — Sprouts & Microgreens Workshop Flourishes in Urban CommunityOn 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, ind

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Promoting the local food supply

Author: Chris Ammerman

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Local families have demonstrated with their wallets their desire to purchase food for their tables directly from the farmers that raised the product.  Farmers are positioning themselves to take advantage of that desire by offering a larger number of products.  Consumers are struggling to achieve their purchases because of the farmers lack the ability to properly market their products.The Grant County Farm Bureau Federation and the Grant County Extension Service partnered together to ed

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Plant Orders Help Food Insecurites

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as the lack of access to sufficient food to live a healthy life.  Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.  According to Feeding America, 89% of residents in Menifee County are below the SNAP threshold.  The majority of counties in Eastern Kentucky are in food deserts.  Menifee County has one small grocery store and one super Dollar General.  21.5% of residents in M

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2025 Increasing Market opportunities for small farms

Author: Evan Tate

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Small farms who raise niche crops and small scale produce are often at a disadvantage when marketing their products on a regional scale. Additionally, small operations often do not have the facilities to further process crops toward a market ready value added convenience item to further drive sales and profitability.The Hancock Co Cooperative Extension Service has invested significant time in gathering resources for small farm operations so that these entities could move further toward sustainab

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Ag Day Event

Author: Emily Davis

Major Program: Local Food Systems

In Pike County, where we lack a county fair, Ag Day provided a much-needed opportunity for the community to engage with agriculture. Pike County ANR and the Pikeville Farmers Market partnered with the Pike County Soil Conservation District to host an Ag Day, hosted on National Farmers Day as a way to recognize our local farmers and provide an educational event that highlighted local farming and sustainability. This was a Fall Festival type event for families and youth to participate in educ

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Fighting Hunger in Pendleton County: Turning Awareness into Action

Author: Lindie Huffman

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Fighting Hunger in Pendleton County: Turning Awareness into Action

In a community of 14,000, hunger is more than just a statistic—it’s a reality for many families, seniors, and children who struggle to put food on the table. The PENco Hunger Helpers, an informal working group of the Pendleton County Extension Office County Extension Council, has been leading efforts to measure the need, coordinate services, and break the stigma surrounding food assistance. Through collaboration and strategic action, they are making a tangible impact in the fight aga

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Webster County Farm To Fork

Author: Vicki Shadrick

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Webster County Farm To Fork

Farm to Fork Program connects Kentucky farmers with local consumers by promoting the use of locally grown and raised food in communities across the state. The program provides funding to organizations that host farm-to-table events, where locally sourced meals are served, and attendees learn about the benefits of supporting Kentucky agriculture. The events highlight local farmers, Kentucky Proud farm products and local chefs while raising money for a local approved organization.These events are

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Meat Your Farmer Event Brings Consumers and Local Meat Producers Together

Author: Dee Heimgartner

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Meat Your Farmer Event Brings Consumers and Local Meat Producers Together

Describe the Issue or Situation.  Several local livestock farmers have started selling meat through a closed grocery store turned vendor mall.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). Marion & Co. is a vendor mall that is located in a closed grocery store. A local grass fed beef producer started working with Marion & Co. to sell their beef through the store and form a joint effort with other producers to sell local meat of all types. T

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Farmers Market Improvements 2024

Author: Jessica Morris

Major Program: Local Food Systems

This past season we have made lots of improvements to our Wolfe County Farmer's market that lead to increased sells and a better selection of fresh local produce for customers (our local community members). For years we have received complaints about not knowing when the market was open and not having enough fresh local produce to purchase using the WIC & SFMNP vouchers. The first item we tackled was getting them more organized. They all were in agreeance so that they could be eligi

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Growing Connections

Author: Asa Conkwright

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Growing Connections

Due to the recognition of the benefits of local food production there has been an increase in people seeking locally grown and produced products or learning how to produce fruits and vegetables themselves. Not only do customers enjoy the enhanced flavors of locally produced foods there is a perceived sense of security in knowing where your food comes from. Community markets are also a great way to bring the community together to work towards a common goal and can be used to foster relationships

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Poultry Processing

Author: Ted Johnson

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Poultry Program Success StoryDescribe the Issue or SituationA local homemaker approached the Lee County Extension Office seeking guidance on how to process chickens she planned to purchase. This request highlighted a broader need within the community for education on poultry management, processing, and preservation techniques. Many individuals lacked the knowledge and confidence to raise and process broilers effectively, creating an opportunity to address these gaps through a targeted educationa

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Healthy Options for Homeless and Low-Income Populations

Author: Lori Bowling

Major Program: Local Food Systems

With an increase in the local homeless population and the number of residents that are below the poverty line, it has become important for those individuals to be able to have access to nutritious food options.   A large number of these populations suffer from poor health due to the dietary choices they have access to.  The local organizations that help to offer them food items and meals are sometimes limited to what they receive through donations, which are most often choices that do

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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