Kentucky State University Small Farm Project and Beginning Farmer Grant and a collaborative with the University of Kentucky and Cedar Ridge Ministry worked together to distribute Yukon Gold seed potatoes to beginning and minority farmers.

    On average, the cost of seed potatoes ranges in price from 25.00 dollars to 55.00 dollars per 50 pounds of potatoes.  Beginning farmers or farmers on a strict budget may find this cost more than they can afford to pay. 

    According to the USDA in Kentucky in 2012 number of acres planted were 360 acres in commercial potatoes. In 2017 the number of acres planted was 258 commercials acres of potatoes. This decline results in less income for the farm and less produced products for the family to have for food.

    In distributing the seed potatoes, it became very apparent that farmers had forgotten how to plant seed potatoes. One farmer, Willie Brown, of Knox County, stated he could grow the best tops ever but no potatoes. Vocal Instructions were given immediately to Brown in order for him to produce potatoes. After this communication written directions were handed out on how to properly plant seed potatoes.

    Various KSU Extension personal handed out over seven thousand pounds of potatoes from this project in 30 counties, and over 300 people contacts. Seed potatoes distribute for growing potatoes commercial as well as for local gardens.

    In the process of presenting a class on gardening and honeybees in Whitley County to a group of teenagers at the Corbin Library, it became apparent one hundred percent of the class had no clue how potatoes on are harvested. The participates thought potatoes were picked off a tree, a plant, or came from a store in a bag. The main emphasis of the class became on how to plant potatoes. Everyone got to take a turn at the process of planting potatoes in a bale of straw for harvest late summer. 

    Beginning farmers and minorities, during the projected, encourage and aid in producing a potatoes crop from the farm at a reduced cost to what it would typically cost the farmer. Education was given to provide the opportunity for each person to have success with their potatoes.