Author: Evan Tate
Planning Unit: Hancock County CES
Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation - ANR
Plan of Work: Healthy Lifestyle Choices in the Kitchen, the Home, and Rural Living
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Small farms who raise niche crops and small scale produce are often at a disadvantage when marketing their products on a regional scale. Additionally, small operations often do not have the facilities to further process crops toward a market ready value added convenience item to further drive sales and profitablility.
The Hancock Co Cooperative Extension Service has invested significant time in gathering resources for small farm operations so that these entities could move further toward sustainability. Working alongside the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, KCARD, Kentucky State University, The Food Connection, Local Food Banks and local government entities, business models were able to expand and to increase demand and thus further increasing production. Furthermore, additional facilities have been installed in the county to be further utilized for other commodities that might diversify farm income even further.
Experiences in this process yielded great knowledge as well as several contacts so that this process can be scaled and implemented on other small farms who specialize in producing niche crops and vegetables. This program allows small farm operations to compete in a larger market space.
Small farms who raise niche crops and small scale produce are often at a disadvantage when marketing... Read More
Exercise and Activity for residents of assisted living centers is a necessity for good health. Resid... Read More
Sewing is a life skill not taught daily as in times past. This is a helpful skill that children; tee... Read More
Environmental education promotes critical and creative thinking skills and inspires kids to become m... Read More
Supporting Migrant FamiliesAs the unemployment rate across the nation continues to fall it has prove... Read More
With a one billion dollar impact and $359,967,000 worth of products sold across 960 farms- WAVE AG D... Read More