Success StoryThe Veggie IPM Hotline



The Veggie IPM Hotline

Author: Kelly Jackson

Planning Unit: Christian County CES

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Plan of Work: To help foster the development of marketing, production, and managment skills within the area.

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Kentucky has the fastest-growing Amish population in the U.S. According to the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, the population of Kentucky Amish grew by 3,060 people in the last five years and is currently 8th in population with approximately 12,060 Amish. Christian County and neighboring Todd County are two of the three most populated counties in Kentucky. Many Amish in these two counties, grow and sell vegetables and depend on these sales for their livelihood. Due to limited access to phones and internet resources, it is a challenge for many growers to get timely information on plant diseases, insects and control methods. To improve the dissemination of information, the Cooperative Extension Service in Christian County partnered with specialists from the Department of Entomology, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology, to develop a toll-free hotline for growers. The Vegetable IPM Hotline (888-4VEG IPM) provides a weekly recording that growers can call for crop information, chemical updates, and seasonal pest alerts. The hotline launched in 2017 and during the first growing season from March to October, 1,051 calls to the hotline were received with an average of 35 calls per week. During the 2018 season 877 calls were received and so far for the 2019 season, March to the end of June, 362 calls have been received.






Stories by Kelly Jackson


The Veggie IPM Hotline

about 6 years ago by Kelly Jackson

Kentucky has the fastest-growing Amish population in the U.S. According to the Young Center for Anab... Read More


Master Gardener Training

about 6 years ago by Kelly Jackson

The Christian County Master Gardener Program is an outstanding opportunity to develop community hort... Read More


Stories by Christian County CES


Land-Grant Institutions Partner to Bring Collaborative 4-H Program to Christian County

Land-Grant Institutions Partner to Bring Collaborative 4-H Program to Christian County

about 6 years ago by Kendriana Price

According to Childcare Aware of America, in 2017 before and after school childcare for school-aged c... Read More


Jr. MANRRS: From County to Campus to County

Jr. MANRRS: From County to Campus to County

about 6 years ago by Kendriana Price

The Jr. MANRRS Leadership Institute allows students to explore opportunities that the University of ... Read More