Success StoryLow-cost berry, asparagus, and onion plants help local producers



Low-cost berry, asparagus, and onion plants help local producers

Author: Eric Baker

Planning Unit: Estill County CES

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Plan of Work: Marketing, Diversifying, and Managing Local Agriculture

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Eastern Kentucky has limited availability for locally grown fruit plants at an economical price. Each year, Estill County horticulture enthusiasts are very interested in growing berries for home use and marketing. In response, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service of Estill County joined other county offices to order berry plants and asparagus. County Extension Agents of 22 counties and Wise County Virginia collaborate to make a bulk order of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, asparagus and Candy onion transplants.  The combination of that many orders makes it possible for providing large discounts to the customer.  For example if a customer only wants 50 strawberry plants directly from the nursery, the cost is $25 whereas ordering through Eastern Kentucky bulk order, the cost is only $8. Seventy-five commercial and backyard producers ordered plants for delivery in April. The savings to our clientele was a total of $2,761. In addition, cultural and management information was provided on strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, onions, and asparagus.






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