Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES
Major Program: Community Engagement
Plan of Work: Empowering Community Leaders
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The success of the Cooperative Extension Service is very dependent on volunteers taking leadership roles. The Muhlenberg County Extension Council voted to facilitate a Farm to Fork event so as to highlight the local foods being produced in Muhlenberg County. A committee of council members, farmers market vendors, and members from the Greenville Tourism Commission planned, implemented, supported and evaluated the event that was held in August of 2018. Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4H and Youth Development worked with volunteers and leaders from those groups as well as leaders and volunteers from their respective areas to make the event a success.The County Extension Council and program council members took an ownership role by promoting, sponsoring and by providing labor during the event. Nearly two hundred people were in attendance at the event to enjoy a dinner meal consisting of all locally sourced food. They watched a video produced by The University of Kentucky College of Agricultre Food and Environment Ag Communications department highlighting farmers that had grown the food and the importance of locally grown food. Those in attendance also enjoyed a keynote speech from Sharon Spencer, Director for the Direct Farm Marketing Division at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Nearly $4900 was raised to support the local Farmers Market Association. A survey was conducted at the event with 143 people participating. One hundred and nineteen participants or eighty three percent rated the overall event as excellent, twenty three participants or sixteen percent rated it good, and one survey participant rated it fair. Comments included: Loved the video; however the sound wasn't very good during parts because of the wind. Excellent venue and well - orchestrated event from start to finish. Very nice evening! Thank You!, Wonderful event. I would like to see this be an annual event. So very thankful for Muhlenberg County to have a Farm to Fork event to celebrate our local farmers! Council members serving on the committee reported these and other results of the event back to the entire County Extension Council during the fall council meeting to highlight the efforts of all involved. Leaders and volunteers from the council as well as others throughout the community made this event a success due to their hard work and support.
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