Success StoryHardin County Farmers' Market Wins "Best Of" Second Year in a Row



Hardin County Farmers' Market Wins "Best Of" Second Year in a Row

Author: Dayna Fentress

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

Plan of Work: Accessing Nutritious Foods and Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome


For the past three years, the Family and Consumer Sciences Program has aimed to increase the volume and awareness of the Hardin County Farmers' Market. By offering child and adult programs at the market and taking over their social media advertising, the FCS agent and the Farmers' Market board have worked to increase fruit and vegetable intake of Hardin County residents while also promoting the local food system. The market has seen steady and continued growth for the past two summers, with vendors estimating 20% increases in sales, and estimating double the crowd from previous years. Market vendors say the past three summers have been their best in over 20 years. In addition to the increased customer attendance at each market session, the market was awarded the third best farmers' market in Kentucky by Kentucky Living with their "Best of" awards. This award allows even more recognition, which will in turn increase attendance, increasing local food purchases and fruit and vegetable intake. More than 18,000 customers visited the market during the 2019 season. Over 600 youth visited the children's activities, and over 200 adults participated in adult activities as well. Social media followership and engagement has increased more than 500% from previous years.






Stories by Dayna Fentress


WALKtober Event Logs over 16 Million Steps

WALKtober Event Logs over 16 Million Steps

about 3 years ago by Dayna Fentress

After noticing that trails and physical activity events seem to slow down after school goes back in ... Read More


Kentucky Saves Week 2021 Encourages Hardin Countians to Pledge to Save

about 3 years ago by Dayna Fentress

Kentucky Saves is led by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service as part of the nat... Read More


Stories by Hardin County CES


State Master Gardener Conference

State Master Gardener Conference

about 3 years ago by Amy Aldenderfer

In October 2020, the Lincoln Trail Area Master Gardener Association, with the guidance and technolog... Read More


“Kentucky State University Brings Innovative Programs to Elizabethtown Kentucky thru Technology in Nutrition Education Videos & Newsletters”

“Kentucky State University Brings Innovative Programs to Elizabethtown Kentucky thru Technology in Nutrition Education Videos & Newsletters”

about 3 years ago by Chandra DeRamus

“Kentucky State University Brings Innovative Programs to Elizabethtown Kentucky thru Technology in N... Read More