South Central Kentucky has many producers that operate commercial and home orchards, specifically apples and peaches. In response to the growing number of fruit producers and the need for fruit tree pruning education, the West 8 Agriculture Agents put together a hands-on workshop to help growers with tree care and proper pruning methods.

In February 2024 a fruit tree pruning workshop was held on the farm of the Dennison family in Hart County. The Dennison family are long time fruit producers and users of Extension services.  Daniel Becker, UK Extension Associate was the featured presenter and demonstrator.  The workshop began with a classroom lesson held in the farm shop and then a hands-on pruning demonstration was conducted in the orchard.  Participants were served locally sourced milk from Legacy Farms, and choice of apple or peach fried pies prepared by R&S Bakery in Hart Co.  SNAP approved recipes were make available that used peaches and apples.

The initial target was home owners, however there was a significant response from commercial producers as well

The following were the partners involved:

1. Allen, Barren Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe Counties were the partnering agents
2. Legacy Farms Dairy—Barren County
3. R&S Bakery—Hart County
4. Kentucky State University Ag Technology Agent
5. Kentucky State University Regional 4H Agent
6. Dennison’s Roadside Market

A total of thirty-three (33) participants attended the workshop, in which 2 were from Allen County. 18 individuals completed evaluations.  Six (6) of the attendant indicated that this was their first Extension program.  Most of the respondents indicated they had between 6-20 fruit trees.  Follow up conversations with some in attendance indicated that coupling the classroom instruction with the actual demonstration in the field was very useful.   Follow up conversations also yielded comments of the great timing of the program and that after attending they felt confident to prune their own trees.  One gentleman stated that he had already pruned his trees, but after this he was "going to go back and prune them some more".