According to the USDA – NASS the value of vegetable and fruit production in Kentucky totaled $7.8 million in 2012. In addition, there were 29, 963 farms in Kentucky with sales of less than $2,500 each year, which makes up 39% of total farmers in the state. These small-scale growers are faced with many of the same challenges as large-scale commercial producers, such as diseases, insects, and weeds. These pests can negatively impact yield, reducing farmers’ income and access to local food for themselves and for their consumers. Growers are encouraged to utilize integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce the impact of these pests and the negative effects of pesticides. IPM is a combination of techniques that includes both pesticide applications coupled with cultural controls. This mix of techniques is particularly important for small-scale growers, as these producers often cannot afford the high costs of specialty pesticides and equipment. Due to the reliance on an IPM approach, small-scale growers must be educated on the various techniques for management and proper pesticide safety and application. In Kentucky, county Ag and Natural Resources (ANR) and Horticulture Extension agents provide education and serve as resources to the small-scale farmers across the state, and thus also need to be trained on these topics in order to assist small-scale specialty crop producers.

To train agents on IPM practices specifically targeting small-scale growers, the IPM Best Practices for Small-Scale Producers Agent Hands-On Training was established through the support of an IPM grant. This program was funded for a total of 3 years and aims to train 15 agents each year. During this second year of the program, additional funding was available and utilized to provide an agent and grower co-training opportunity. University of Kentucky Extension Specialists from the Departments of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Horticulture provided programs on pesticide safety, sprayer calibration, evaluation of good spray coverage, and cultural crop management considerations for both vegetable and fruit crops. Only agents participated in day one of the program, during which they gained knowledge and skills on program topics that could be applied to county programs and/or utilized during field visits with growers. On day two, both agents and growers attended the program. This format provided agents the opportunity to assist growers in learning the material, as well as observe methods for teaching this information to growers. Both full day trainings were conducted at both the University of Kentucky North Farm and Horticulture Research Farm, to allow for hands-on learning experiences in the field. Agents that attend the training were provided with field kits that included calibration tools to use during the program and to assist growers with sprayer calibration and evaluation of spray coverage during future interactions.

On day one of the program, 10 Extension agents and Extension associates participated in the training. Seven of these agents/associates also participated in day 2 of the training. A pre- and post-survey of agents found increases in the level of confidence/knowledge in advising clients in the areas of calibrating sprayers (35%), wildlife management (35%), augmenting spray schedules according to weather patterns (24%), sampling and analyzing plant health and nutrition including soil and tissue tests (22%), applying appropriate cultural management techniques (18%), evaluating spray coverage (18%), reading and interpreting agrochemical labels (15%), pesticide safety (11%), and mixing a spray tank (7%). As a result of the training, agents indicated an intent to implement further education on sprayer calibration and wildlife management strategies as part of their programs.

Seven growers participated in the program. A pre- and post- survey of growers showed increases in the level of confidence/knowledge in calibrating sprayers (133%), evaluating spray coverage (94%), wildlife management (70%), pesticide safety (52%), augmenting spray schedules according to weather patterns (50%), sampling and analyzing plant health and nutrition including soil and tissue tests (50%), reading and interpreting agrochemical labels (31%), applying appropriate cultural management techniques (27%), and mixing a spray tank (15%). Growers indicated an intent to make changes to wildlife exclusion barriers and practices for fruit production and pest management. Some growers noted an anticipated increase in crop yield and quality as a result of participating in the program.  

Overall the program was well received with an agent stating, “I always learn so much and something valuable at these IPM trainings. Please keep offering them. Thank you.” One grower commented that, “This was very helpful. Thank you!” One additional year of this training will be conducted in 2020.