Author: Robert Marsh
Planning Unit: Rowan County CES
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
Plan of Work: Supporting Local Agriculture
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Rowan County has around 25 farms that sell agricultural products at the local farmers markets in Rowan and surrounding counties. Each year for the last six years Cooperative Extension has collaborated with the health department, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Farm Alliance, the University of Kentucky Food Systems Innovation Center, and other county farmers markets to conduct a multi-county training for farmers market vendors. Hundreds of vendors have attended over the years and approximately 60 vendors were from Rowan County. An estimated 30% of Rowan County Farmers Market vendors are qualified to offer samples as a result of this and other extension trainings. Approximately 5 past and current vendors have earned Homebased Microprocessing training that allows them to add value to farm products. In addition to the formal classes, participants have networked with each other. Participants shared they have improved their marketing skills (i.e. merchandise displays, cross-merchandising) and production practices (i.e. pest control) as a result of networking. Over the last six years, the Rowan County Farmers Market has added membership and vendors have diversified the types of produce, processed products, and craft items available for sale. Informal surveys with market members indicate an increase in sales of around $2600 since 2014.
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