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 profitability.

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.

Subsequently, strengthening the relationship between the University of KY Cooperative Extension and USDA have afforded opportunities for local farmers to provide fresh grown products into near by food banks and school systems while still being compensated at retail levels. Furthermore, plans for a local cooperative group to market products together in a more efficient manner have also been laid out for the near future.