Success StorySpencer County Farm to Table Event



Spencer County Farm to Table Event

Author: Bryce Roberts

Planning Unit: Spencer County CES

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

Plan of Work: Sustainable Agriculture, Non-Traditional Agriculture, and Natural Resources

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our seventh annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2019 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County.  A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 4 course Italian dinner.  All of the food prepared and served by the chef came from those who are members of the farmers market, with products including beef, pork, vegetables, breads, desserts, and mums for decorations.  More than 160 people paid $40 each to participate in the meal with the proceeds of more than $3,900 helping to sponsor Spencer County 4-H programs and Homemakers activities.  All agents were involved in the planning and implementation of the program.  The Agriculture Agent sourced all of the materials used in the preparation of the meal and secured the chef.  The 4-H/Youth Development Agent recruited 4-H members to do all of the plate preparation and serving of the meal, and the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent worked with the Homemakers and acquired items for their silent auction.  After the Farm to Table meal, the Farmers Market participants reported an increase in sales of their locally produced items because of the publicity of the event and from follow-up buying by those who were in attendance at the meal that evening.  Many of the participants told the staff that by having this meal, they will increase their purchases of locally produced items.  With this Farm to Table Meal, the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service was able to highlight the healthy agriculture and horticulture products grown in our county.






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