Local planning groups continue to place a high priority on commercial horticulture field demonstrations as an educational program delivery method.   In response to these priorities the Bourbon Extension Office has worked with and supported the development of two new ongoing horticulture demonstrations.  The first demonstration includes a modified commercial tomato trellising system to help smaller market growers ramp up production efficiently where appropriate.  The Extension Service worked with a group of local farmers in establishing this demonstration on a local farm that had never used a tomato trellis system before.  Farmers involved in the initial installation of this demonstration have stated that they have gained the knowledge and skills needed to install their own systems after helping with this demo system.   The second demonstration includes high tunnel perennial flower production and sales.  The Extension Horticulture program worked with a local grower and UK specialists in installing several flowering crops in high tunnels to test the feasibility of overwintering perennials for spring sales.  Initial results have so far been positive, and the producer was able to demonstrate that these crops could be successfully overwintered in basic high tunnels and prepared to me meet spring sales deadlines.  

Producers directly involved in these on farm demonstrations reported gaining significant production knowledge and skills and were able to demonstrate those skills during the care of the management of the demonstrations.  These ongoing educational activities will be expanded in the future to include additional production methods and participants.