A large area of Eastern Kentucky has been identified as a food desert.   A food desert is a location that is limited in being able to access fresh fruits and vegetables.   Not having access to fruits and vegetables can limit these in individual’s diets leading to chronic health diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.

USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) development has received funding to establish over one hundred high tunnels in the area to help farmers grow more fruits in vegetables.   Fresh fruit and vegetable would be made available by selling these at local farmers markets.  

The Greenup County Extension Agent has partnered with NRCS to distribute information about the grant to individuals to encourage building these high tunnels.  Education resources and building information has been provided by the Greenup County Extension Office.

At this time seven producers have been approved for building high tunnels in Greenup County.   These producers are established farmers market vendors and plan to increase the product sales at the market.

  These pictures are taken from Howard's Garden Patch located in South Shore, KY