Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky”, March 2022). In 2019, it was estimated that there were more than 1,000 high tunnels in Kentucky. Management of disease, insect, and abiotic issues in high tunnels often requires options and strategies that differ from those used in field production.  Thus, growers are encouraged to utilize integrated pest management (IPM), which is a combination of techniques including both pesticide applications coupled with cultural controls. This mix of techniques is important for high tunnel growers, as these producers often cannot afford the high costs of specialty pesticides and equipment. These growers must be educated on the various techniques for management. In Kentucky, county Ag and Natural Resources (ANR) and Horticulture Extension agents provide education and serve as resources to high tunnel farmers across the state, and thus also need to be trained on these topics. As a way to reach a greater number of growers and agents, a hybrid style field day was conducted. This included a live broadcast of sessions, as well as the option to attend in-person at the Horticulture Research Farm. Sessions were led by Extension specialist is Horticulture, Plant Pathology, and Entomology. 

Seven Extension agents participated in-person, and nine Extension agents and commercial growers attended the field day virtually. A pre- and post-survey were conducted to measure participants’ change in knowledge. Survey results showed increase in knowledge of lettuce drop disease identification and management (60%), preparation of newly installed high tunnels (36%), insect biocontrol options (32%), additional crops for extending the high tunnel production season (27%), high tunnel powdery mildew disease management (27%), benefits of high tunnel solarization (24%), pesticide calculations for small acreages & high tunnels (24%), use of resistant crop cultivars for managing disease or improving yield (21%), high tunnel insect pest management (18%), backpack sprayer usage (12%), and pesticide restrictions for high tunnels (12%). Participants indicated that as a result of the program they were either likely to implement or definitely would implement each of the following: use resistant crop cultivars to manage disease (64%), change practices or utilize new techniques for disease management (64%), utilize additional crops to extend the high tunnel production season (55%), change practices or utilize new techniques for insect management (64%), utilize insect biocontrol options (45%), improve or change practices related to pesticide use (45%), calculate how much pesticide is needed for more accurate applications (55%), utilize solarization as a method for disease management (64%), implement steps to prepare new high tunnels for use (55%). Respondents noted that due to participating in the program they anticipated an increase in yield of 5-10% (32%), increase in produce quality by 5-10% (26%), increase in produce quality by 15-20% (5%), and a reduction of chemical sprays or costs (32%). While this program was provided at no cost to participants, the post-survey found that respondents valued the training at an average value of $31 per person. 

All sessions of the field day were recorded, converted to videos, and made available to agents and stakeholders through YouTube. Open access to these videos ensures that this information is available to a wider range of agents and growers, as well as provides an additional resource for those that participated in the program. As of June 2023, these videos have been viewed a combined 1,001 times.