Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryPartnership Strengthens local food revitalization



Partnership Strengthens local food revitalization

Author: Chadwick Conway

Planning Unit: Knott County CES

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Plan of Work: Ag Production & Natural Resources

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

After the 2022 catastrophic flood, many family gardens suffered significant loss of rich nutrient soil. Fortunately, during the spring of 2024, Grow Appalachia, a sustainable-based gardening program funded through Berea College, returned to the Hindman Settlement School. As the need for locally grown foods began to rise, the Knott County Agriculture Agent, with the help of Grow Appalachia and the Hindman Settlement School was able to reach new families. Together, they enrolled sixty-four families in Knott County, the majority being novice gardeners, in the Grow Appalachia Program. All participants enrolled in this program were required to have a soil test analysis, provided by the Knott County Extension Service. This test checks for basic nutrients in their garden. Participants were also taught a series of gardening classes, including soil health, basic gardening, composting, and disease and insect control. With these educational resources from extension, participants raised over nineteen thousand pounds of fresh produce this year, with a minimum value of $50,000.00. This abundant growth of produce has allowed clients to become active in giving back to their community. Over one hundred families have enjoyed fresh vegetables from these gardens which is around 1,500 individuals. The partnership with Grow Appalachia has been a great program to allow these gardeners the opportunity to provide families with fresh local healthy food and help save a lot of money due to the rising cost of produce. The partnership with this program along with these activities has been beneficial in expanding our local food initiative and given several opportunities for extension to help provide more understanding and knowledge about growing produce for families in Knott County.

 






Stories by Chadwick Conway


East Kentucky Youth Cattle Clinic

about 7 days ago by Chadwick Conway

Creating hands-on learning opportunities is key for youth interested in agriculture. It helps them l... Read More


UK Cooperative Extension assist North Carolina Extension Disaster Relief Efforts

about 3 months ago by Chadwick Conway

The Cooperative Extension Service has always been a strong network of land grant universities, acros... Read More


Stories by Knott County CES


East Kentucky Youth Cattle Clinic

about 7 days ago by Chadwick Conway

Creating hands-on learning opportunities is key for youth interested in agriculture. It helps them l... Read More


4-H Health Science Career Exploration Club

about 7 days ago by Dora Centers

In our rural community employment opportunities tend to be limited but one area our region has a hig... Read More


Stories by Local Food Systems


Fighting Hunger in Pendleton County: Turning Awareness into Action

Fighting Hunger in Pendleton County: Turning Awareness into Action

about 2 months ago by Lindie Huffman

In a community of 14,000, hunger is more than just a statistic—its a reality for many families, seni... Read More


Webster County Farm To Fork

Webster County Farm To Fork

about 2 months ago by Vicki Shadrick

Farm to Fork Program connects Kentucky farmers with local consumers by promoting the use of locally ... Read More