Success StoryFarmers' Market Adapts To Technology



Farmers' Market Adapts To Technology

Author: Jason Vaughn

Planning Unit: Powell County CES

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Plan of Work: Producing & Marketing Agricultural Products

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is valued by Seniors and Farmers in Powell County.    The program provides residents below a certain economic threshold and age, market vouchers worth $48 dollars.   Seniors use the vouchers as cash at the Powell County Farmers’ Market and the farmers return the vouchers to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for reimbursement.  The program is a win-win providing seniors access to locally produced nutrition while supporting our local farmers and economy.  For the 2022 program year the KDA implemented new technologies to the process.  Instead of paper coupon checks, seniors were issued credit cards.  Farmers were forced to adapt to the technology and use smart phones to complete transactions.  To address the challenge The Powell County Cooperative Extension Service had an opening week pop up market in the office parking lot.  The setup allowed the Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent to work with farmers individually to get them comfortable with the process.  The new system allows farmers to receive direct deposits weekly saving time.   The vouchers were issued to 185 seniors in Powell County and had a redemption rate of 70%.  The program provided over $6000 worth of fresh, local produce for seniors in addition to support for the local agriculture economy.    






Stories by Jason Vaughn


Market Days

about 21 days ago by Jason Vaughn

Seniors and Farmers in Powell County value the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program ... Read More


Stories by Powell County CES


In the Face of Disaster

In the Face of Disaster

about 1 months ago by Kendyl Redding

Kentuckians have experienced firsthand how natural disasters can occur any time and often with littl... Read More


Market Days

about 21 days ago by Jason Vaughn

Seniors and Farmers in Powell County value the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program ... Read More