The nine-year collaboration continues between the Hardin County Farmers’ Market, the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service and the Lincoln Trail Area Master Gardeners.

The Master Gardeners provide samples, recipes and information to the shoppers at the Hardin County Farmer’s Market once a month through the growing/selling season. The Master Gardeners prepare two recipes from the Kentucky Proud Plate It Up! Series. Then, pass out samples to the patrons of the Market, encouraging vegetable and fruit purchases. With each successive month, the participation has doubled!

To date the market has doubled the number of shoppers as well as increased their sales 36% on days that the program happens. This is attributed to the Master Gardeners utilizing social media to advertise their presence at the market on the first and third Saturdays. Participants purchase the ingredients from the recipes that are sampled so that most days the vendors sell out of the items in the recipes.

Most tasters (about 86%) show an interest in eating more fruits and vegetables.  

Master Gardeners have donated 241 hours to this project. This includes sample preparation, training for Sampling Certificate, and talking to everyone at the Farmer's Market about the recipes they prepared.