The increase in grocery store food prices, coupled with the recent local food movement, has driven consumers to seek out fresh, local food options. These factors, among others, have certainly contributed to the success of the Magoffin County Farmers’ Market.
After working with community leaders and potential vendors to facilitate the establishment of the county’s first farmers’ market in 2015, the CEA for ANR has focused on educational trainings to improve marketing and increase produce quality and food safety for subsequent market seasons.
In 2018, more than 35 vendors participated in the market at some point during the growing season. Of the vendors, 14 maintained GAP certification and became eligible to accept WIC and Senior Food Instruments, and 4 completed the new Produce Best Practices Training and received their Sampling Certification from the KY Department of Agriculture.
In addition to the county receiving WIC and Senior food instruments, the agent received a $2,000 KY Double Dollars grant from Community Farm Alliance which allowed WIC and Senior FMNP participants to double their vouchers up to $12 per day when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. The Double Dollars program resulted in WIC and Senior FMNP participants getting to double the amount of fresh produce they were able to provide to their families, as well as eligible vendors nearly doubling their income for the season.

The success of the market since its inception was also instrumental in the agent receiving $224,950 in grant funds to build a permanent farmers’ market facility. The agent worked with the Magoffin County Extension District Board to complete applications for county and state KY Agricultural Development Funds, which will be contributing $125,000 ($10,000 from the county allocation and $115,000 from the state fund) to the project, and a USDA Rural Business Development Grant in the amount of $99,950. 

For 2019, the agent is working with Big Sandy Area Development District to administer a $20,000 Farmacy program, as well as the Magoffin County Health Department to distribute Veggie Bucks.