The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program stimulates interest in local agriculture, creates a nontraditional market for Kentucky producers, increases quality of products available to school cafeterias, and ultimately increases Kentucky student fruit and vegetable consumption. 

     This Farm to School Program ultimately gives Farmer's another outlet option when it comes to the produce they are growing on their farms and in their greenhouse and high tunnel operations. The Whitley County Horticulture Agent in conjunction with members of the Kentucky Horticulture Council decided that an introductory program introducing the Farm To School idea to growers and farmers in the Whitley County area. This training was advertised on a local radio station (104.3), as well as on the Whitley County Extension -Horticulture Social Media Outlets. 

        On Thursday, December 16th, 2021 at 6:00 PM an in-person training was held at the Whitley County Extension Office (Goldbug) for area farmers and horticulturists. This was the first of a series of different Farm To School Trainings to be hosted through the Whitley County Extension Office. In total, there were 4 community members in attendance.  3 of these community members were local Farmers/Growers who have a serious interest in potentially growing for school markets attended. This was a huge deal because all 3 of the growers use Agriculture as a primary income for their families and were very excited for the potential opportunity. Also in attendance was 1 of our local school district's Food Service Directors (Williamsburg Independent School System). She was certainly thrilled with the idea of local growers being able to potentially supply parts of the school menu. 

      An oral evaluation was given to participants at the end of the training and results show that everyone who attended the first training learned something new and a continued series of trainings on Farm To School were needed in our area as well as  Additional Resources being requested by members in attendance. 

      I look forward to seeing the Farm To School Program in action in the coming months!

Ben Prewitt- Whitley County Horticulture Agent 01/10/2022