Success StoryFarm to Table Event shows the Value of Supporting Local Farmers



Farm to Table Event shows the Value of Supporting Local Farmers

Author: Daniel Carpenter

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Plan of Work: Nutrition and Food Systems

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The LaRue County Extension Office and LaRue County Farm Bureau Federation held it’s 4th annual Faith, Family, Farms and Food Dinner. The proceeds went to benefit the LaRue County FFA chapter. The entire dinner was sourced locally. All of the fruits and vegetables were from LaRue County, while the meats and cheeses were sourced from just outside the county lines. The menu included all the farms that the meal supported. The LaRue County Pork Producers prepared the pork for the meal. Tickets were $25 each and over 400 tickets were sold.  

The LaRue County ANR agent and EFNEP assistant helped procure the ingredients from local farmers and organized the dinner and the setup and take down of for the event. The meal consisted of appetizers, refreshments, main meal, and desserts all prepared by local farmers and restaurant owners. All ingredients were locally sourced within 100 miles. 

The square in Hodgenville was shut down and tables were lined up around the Abraham Lincoln statue in the square. All 50+ tables were decorated with fresh cut flower vases that were collected the day before the event and put together by volunteers at the extension office. Throughout the evening, we played audio from the farmers who provided products for the evening to help tell their story about how the menu items were produced that were featured in the meal. The majority of the meal was entrees featured in the Kentucky plate it up recipes. The event is featured in local newspaper and tourism pamphlets promoting the county and is a highly anticipated event each year. Over the years we have noticed people buying products at the Farmers Market to prepare dishes that have been featured at this dinner and asking for copies of the recipe.






Stories by Daniel Carpenter


Beef Programs

about 6 years ago by Daniel Carpenter

Local cattlemens association programs held this year included: Livestock Indemnity program through F... Read More


Leadership LaRue Ag Day

about 6 years ago by Daniel Carpenter

The 2018 Leadership LaRue Ag Day was held on April 12th 2018 with 14 participants from the LaRue Cou... Read More


Stories by Hardin County CES


The Early Bird Gets the Worm

about 6 years ago by Matthew Adams

In January of 2018, Hardin and Larue Counties Collaborated to host an early pre-season Grain Crops W... Read More


Soil Testing for Success

about 6 years ago by Matthew Adams

The success of any crop requires planning and efficient use of all required resources.One of the mos... Read More