140 individuals attended the Annual Farm and Family Field Day that was held at Gary and Marcella Clay’s farm in Olive Hill on October 11, 2018. The Field day is co-sponsored by the Carter County Extension Service and the Carter County Conservation District. A farm is chosen each year to showcase one of Carter County’s Farm Operations and provide educational opportunities for the whole family. Vegetable production in Hi-Tunnels was this year’s featured program. Hi-Tunnels allow for producing vegetables much earlier and much later in the season as you can see in the photograph. Dr. Rachel Rudolph, UK Vegetable Production specialist spoke on basic vegetable production in Hi-Tunnels. Mark Walden and Chris McKenzie, from the Grow Appalachia Project spoke on Hi-Tunnel Construction and other programs they conduct in east Ky. in an effort to increase production of horticultural crops. Tony Burnett, from the Natural Resource and Conservation Service spoke on the EQUIP program which provides cost share funds for construction of Hi-tunnels as well as many other  things. A Shittake Mushroom production demonstration was given by Channing Richardson, from Forgotten Foods Farm in Olive Hill. Channing currently has 2,500 logs in production of Shittake Mushrooms, as well as a Hi-tunnel vegetable operation and Sugar Maple Syrup Production operation. 

   A Plate It Up Kentucky Proud program with Honey Raisin Muffins was given by Anita Jones, Extension SNAP Assistant, Kids activities was given by members of the Carter County 4-H teen club and Erin Thompson, Extension Staff Assistant, and a Dessert Contest was sponsored by the Carter County Conservation District. Displays from Kee’s Farm Supply, Farm Service Agency, and the Carter County Conservation District were also on hand. The meal was catered by the East Carter FFA and the West Carter FFA. We thank the Clay family and all our partners for making this event a success.