The 2017 City to Farm Tour was held on September 14, 2017 with well over 70 local business leaders and Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce members in attendance. 

     Extension partnered with the Somerset-Pulaski Co Chamber of Commerce to plan the event. The event helps educate our community about the changes that have occurred in agriculture over the past decades. This behind-the-scenes look at local agriculture allowed community leaders the opportunity to meet the hard-working farmers and producers who keep the heritage of agriculture alive and viable in Pulaski County.

     This event not only gives those that are not involved in the day to day operations a chance to ask question but it also gives the farmer the opportunity to talk about the business side of their industry.

     Five Pulaski County locations were toured. The first stop was the Pulaski County High School greenhouse. Hands-on experience for kids is a great way for agriculture teachers to drive home classroom learning.  The greenhouse was made possible by using tobacco diversification funds.

     The next tour stop was a fourth generation cow/calf operation in northern Pulaski County. This stop showed us the different ways that cattle can be marketed. This operation is not only a seed stock producer but they also market cattle through the local stockyards and Laura's Lean Beef.

     The third stop was a local meat slaughterhouse and packing facility. This was another opportunity for us to show what the tobacco funds have been able to do for Pulaski County.

     The fourth stop on this year’s tour was the local Southern States. This stop was picked to show the agribusiness side of agriculture. The last tour stop was a local greenhouse and fall mum and pumpkin producer. Participants got to see what 4000 mums looked like and the inputs and work involved. Each farmer gave a personal glimpse into his operation and some of the unique situations farmers in the 21st century have that non-farmers might not think about.

    The group ended the afternoon at the Pulaski County Extension Office for a meal. The meal was sourced 100% from Pulaski County and Kentucky Proud foods, even the wheat to make the bread.

      This City to Farm Tour is a recurring event that happens every second year. It's a great way to showcase some of the great farming businesses in Pulaski County and in turn, market their products to the non-farming community.