The 2024 McLean County Farm to Fork program was held August 6^th, 2024, at the Extension Facility located on the grounds of Myer Creek Park in Calhoun, KY. Farm to Fork programs are used to increase the awareness of the local food movement by partnering with organizations to benefit a charity in our community. This program provides an educational background about local foods and where our food comes from as well as the farmers that grow it. The McLean County Cooperative Extension Service hosted the dinner as a fundraiser for God’s House of Hope, a local food bank here in McLean County, that helps local citizens that may be struggling to meet the nutritional needs of their family. Kentucky Cattleman’s Association President Jeff Pettit was the speaker and discussed with our community members the importance of agriculture and succession planning for our farms. 

This dinner featured several Kentucky Proud products grown by Kentucky producers using recipes featured in our Extension FCS programs. There were over 200 individuals and businesses that helped raise over $7000.00 for God’s House of Hope Food Bank. Over the past 5 years Mclean County Extension Service has helped raise over $27,000.00 for this charity.  The McLean County Cooperative Extension Service has facilitated with the help of Mclean County District Board, McLean County Community, and the McLean County Cattlemen’s Association a program that helped directly feed community members that were in need in McLean County. Once again, the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service is filling a need in the local community.