Situation

Christian County conducted a survey on agricultural businesses and farming occupation.  It showed a 35% increase in farm businesses between 2007 until 2012.  The average farm size is 306 acres with 5% adding value to products and 1% operating community supported agriculture.  Current unemployment rate for Christian County is 10.1% which is +6% the national average.  New Minority Owned Farms would start a defiant start in the positive direction for small farmers to mold and break into a strong niche market. 

Partnerships and Resources

Kentucky State University (KSU) Small Farms Program at the Christian County Extension Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, & NRCS ( Natural Resources, & Conservation Service.) 

Target Audience

… To assist small and beginning farmers. 

Educational Response

The KSU Small Farm Assistant conducted programs and individual consultation to inform local farmers of business opportunities related to crop diversification, investment and loans from private and government agencies, labor issues, and business plan development also agricultural water quality development plans to assist with greenhouse development and organic farm practice procedures. 

Outcomes

The KSU Small Farm Agent has worked with many different small farmers to create new start up program opportunities for new and existing farmers.  This program consist of developing new farmers with niche organic products. Organic farming is becoming more of a demand and new farmers with experience are becoming more and more interested in increasing crop diversification, and profits. Some of our farmers which have taken advantage of our crop certification.

Success Story

Christian County conducted a survey on agricultural businesses and farming occupation.  It showed a 35% increase in farm businesses between 2007 until 2012.  The average farm size is 306 acres with 5% adding value to products and 1% operating community supported agriculture.  Current unemployment rate for Christian County is 10.1% which is +6% the national average. Kentucky State University (KSU) Small Farms Program at the Christian County Extension Service worked with local and small farmers to build and create an avenue to help grow and build new high tunnels for minority farmers to expand their ability to produce niche organic crops year round. To assist small farmers with 1 to 2 acers and be able to distribute products to small businesses, schools, and local farmers markets is vital to the success of our northern county farmers. By expanding crop development not only gives our farmers more room to grow but also increases their success, and profit margin to create other avenues to venture into more niche marketing and farming. 

However the small farmers in Christian County only account for a small percentage, especially the minority farmers in the county which are dwindling down more and more as time progresses. This African American Female in Christian County was awarded 15,000.00 from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service to develop her high tunnels particularly in niche organic vegetables which can be marketed into the local Hopkinsville & Madisonville Farmers Market. This female is a transitioning farmer from the medical industry, into the agricultural sector to not only preserve the legacy which left by her family but also to work to preserve her families fortune for the future. 

Her children which are three young men are diligently working through the Future Farmers of America program have developed a passion for not only farming but also into learning about Agribusiness for the future. Being that having niche products on her location such as ginseng, purple tomatoes, organic carrots, which are items that are not easily found in the area gives this family a chance to succeed in the coming years. Also having a technology savoriness about her In marketing products through a strategic business plan, a fundamental website, cooking demonstrations, and having The University Of Kentucky come and do third party verification's helps their local products have a stamp of approval for the future and beyond.