A partnership between Rockcastle County Extension, Rockcastle County FFA, Rockcastle County conservation district, Rockcastle County Cattlemens and Rockcastle County Farm Bureau was form to present an afternoon farm tour to highlight some farming operations in the county.   The tour would begin at the Rockcastle County High School FFA chapter to showcase their container garden where they are producing lettuce for school lunches.  This container garden is a partnership between the FFA chapter and App harvest.  From there we traveled to Black Star Farm to view their beef cattle operation.  This operation is focused on utilizing cost share opportunities to make a more efficient feeding system and with soil and water conservation efforts.  The next stop was Parsons Farms to view their high tunnel tomato growing operation.  They are using high tunnels as well as fields to produce vegetables for sale at the farmers market and other local food systems.  Our last demonstration for the day was the new shared use equipment purchased with cost share funds as well as conservation district and farm bureau.  A new sheep working facility as well as a new seed drill was shown and is available for purchase.  

The tour was concluded with a meal and speaker at the Rockcastle county Extension office.  The meal was prepared with local vendors beef and homemade breads. A farmers market vendor brought greetings and encouraged the group to become involved either selling or buying from our farmers market.  Dr. Jimmy Henning then spoke to the group about the legacy of passing on farming and agriculture principles.  Thirty eight people attended the meeting.  Of the 38, 9 have expressed interest in developing some aspect of the tour in their farms.   Fifteen others have expressed interest in using shared use equipment that was demonstrated that afternoon.  All groups involved were well pleased with the outcome of the meeting.