The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension program at Kentucky State University, under the direction of Dr. Shawn Lucas, first began working with Tony and Emlyn Brooks, owners of TurnerBrooks Farm in 2018.   The farm has an incredible history with Tony and Emlyn farming on land that Tony's ancestors farmed while enslaved.  We consulted about hemp production as well as establishment of livestock production and an educational center at the farm.   Consulting on hemp continued through 2019 but unfortunately this was the year in which the hemp market (for cannabinoids such as cannabidiol or CBD) crashed due to over production across the U.S. and overestimation of demand by processors.  Tony was one of the hemp producers who lost money on the crop that year, unable to sell his harvest.    

In the ensuing years Tony and Emlyn diversified their operation to include livestock including goats and cattle.  By 2021 they had installed a high tunnel with the intention of growing season extended produce on a small scale for local sale.  They were still devising their plan for high tunnel production, occasionally connecting with myself and other KSU Extension specialists through 2021 when, in December of that year, a tornado passed through the area ripping the plastic off their high tunnel and carrying it over to a neighbor's field.   

In March 2022, Tony reached out to me at KSU and asked about technical assistance on high tunnel repair.  I reached out Mike Lewis, a colleague at NCAT-ATTRA and together we put together a plan to hold a workshop on high tunnels and high tunnel renovation at TurnerBrooks farm.  We procured new plastic, channel lock materials, wiggle wire and started to promote the event.  We also recruited USDA-NRCS, USDAS-FSA, and the KSU Small Farm Grant Coordinator, Joni Nelson to participate in the event.  The event was held September 30, 2022 and we held a morning workshop that detailed the basics of working with FSA to get a farm ID number, the basics of the USDA-NRCS EQIP grant program (which can be used to purchase high tunnels), how to apply for a KSU Small Farm Grant, and the basics of high tunnel construction and crop production and a detailed history of TurnerBrooks farm and the Black farm community in the area.  In the afternoon many of the 31 attendees participated in hands-on repair of the tornado-damaged high tunnel on the site.  We replaced channel lock channels and installed plastic on the tunnel and gave a brief demonstration on using BCS walk-behind tractors, associated implements, and appropriate hand tools in the tunnel.  The workshop helped the Brooks' in the immediate term as they continue to build and diversify their operation and it also provided new and helpful information to 31 stakeholders, many of whom were minority producers.  This intermediate success will serve as a stepping stone in our relationship with the Brooks.  Future goals for them include a potential transition to organic production, establishment of an education center on the farm, and in the long-term the Brooks intend to develop a farmers market that serves consumers in a portion of Richmond that is a food desert. We anticipate that KSU Extension services will facilitate some of these goals.