After making visits to homeowners and working with them on tomato issues last year. I asked if they would like to try a tomato recommended for commercial producers by UK specialists. They said yes. In looking I could not find any plants locally. I then contacted an FFA chapter and teacher to see if they would grow the seeds for the clients to try.

The three homeowners divided and set out 100 plants along side of their Jet Star tomato. They were very pleased that they did not have any blight problems, the yield and flavor were just what they wanted and the Mountain Fresh held their own when they compared them to Jet Star the variety they liked.  Other homeowners have come by and looked to see how the the Mountain Fresh were growing.  I had several ask about the progress of the tomatoes.  This has opened up the doors of communication with homeowners and myself.  They see that Carlisle County Extension Services is willing to work with them even on a small scale. 

                                                                                          Mountain Fresh seedling in FFA greenhouse-March 17, 2018

                                                                                 Tomato’s in homeowner shop-March 27, 2018. They are going to wait for warmer weather to set out.

In home garden-August 29, 2018.  I wish I had taken an earlier picture. But the Mountain Fresh held their own in flavor and yield and the homeowners are well pleased. It has sparked some interest in the county and other small tomato growers want to try them.