SITUATION:

Situation 3:  Producers need information or production of forages.

STATEMENT: 
 In November of 2019, three area farmers contacted the McCracken County Agent for Horticulture, who was covering for the ANR Agent vacancy. They had a need to ask about attending a program for their application in the County Ag Improvement Program (CAIP) program. These farmers applied for CAIP funds as part of Ag Development Funds of Phase 1. Agent asked NRCS and the administrative group for CAIP about programs that would qualify to help the farmers. The upcoming Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT) program qualified. 

Hort Agent arranged for these farmers to attend the scheduled PBPT to qualify for the CAIP paperwork. On 20 Nov 2019, the Hort Agent, who was trained by UK and approved to train producers by Kentucky Dept. of Ag (KDA), held the workshop. This training qualified these 3 producers to earn their CAIP requirements and also receive a PBPT diploma. Additionally, in attendance was one commercial horticulture producer. 

Training increased the understanding of food safety in agriculture, including forage production,  and horticulture production from the farm to the consumer. Since the training, KDA has issued the diplomas to these 4 producers to allow for sampling of their raw produce at farm stands and farmers markets.  

 LONG-TERM OUTCOMES:

This training for CAIP recipients and producers allows the farmer/grower to:: 

• Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
• Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
• Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals