Jefferson Co. Extension Horticulture has been partnering with Common Earth Gardens (refugee agriculture program within Catholic Charities) to support New American Farmers to re-start farm businesses in Louisville, KY. At the end of the 2021 growing season, three farm businesses expressed an interest in learning how to make and sell value added goods. During the winter of 2021-2022, the Horticulture Agent worked with UK NEP and FCS to adapt the Homebased Microprocessor training to be more accessible to English Language Learning Audiences and/or folks who needed interpreters.

In April of 2022, four farm businesses attended and passed the Homebased Microprocessor Certification course. Additionally, two of these businesses completed the Homebased Processor application as they learned through the course that some of their planned products fell into this category of certification.

As a follow-up, all participants in the Homebased Microprocessor Certification Course were able to attend an introduction to water bath canning, taught by the Bullitt Co. FCS agent. There were a total of 6 participants and 5 farm businesses at this program. During the class, participants were able to learn about the most current safety standards for foods that can be sold through both the Homebased Processor and Homebased Microprocessor Certificates. Participants also had additional time to review the recipe submission process and labeling process for the Homebased Microprocessor Certification.

Next steps are to follow up with individual businesses to ensure that they are able to write and submit their Homebased Microprocessor recipes for approval. We anticipate that farmers who complete the entire process to see significant income gains through the sales of their value added products.