The Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Services has a strong partnership with the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market. This past year was the first year as a market for the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market. The overwhelming support and excitement for the farmer’s market allowed for the vendors’ income to far exceed expectations for a beginning market. As a wrap-up of the season, the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market wanted a celebratory program to display vendors and what they had to offer to the community. The farmer’s market was a great opportunity for the Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Services to see new audiences and build on their programming in 2017. Due to the great partnership between the two services, the extension office offered to partner with the farmer’s market by hosting the first ever Nicholasville Farmer’s Market Farm to Fork Event at their Live Stock Barn with the use of their Commercial Kitchen. The Jessamine County Family & Consumer Sciences, 4-H & Youth Development, and Agriculture & Natural Resources Agents were all a part of this program from start to finish. This was a unique opportunity for all agents because it was the first time we did a multidisciplinary program together and had to truly use the full definition of teamwork to pull it off.

Cooperative Extension had a consistent role in the program. All agents were a part of the initial planning committee and were delegated specific task(s) to individually work on. The Jessamine County Extension Agents undertook the task of making pies for the event, one being a Kentucky Proud Recipe. Together we made 28 pies for the event that each displayed a product that was sold at the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market. All Agents did marketing efforts for the event by sharing in their program newsletters, social media accounts, and through word of mouth. On the day of the event, all agents were present and performed various tasks from helping in the commercial kitchen to building relationships with the community.

Evaluation from the program were very positive. There were 91 participants in attendance and all proceeds from ticket sales and table sponsors went to support local non-profit charities in the community. A $665 check was presented to the Nicholasville Food Pantry and Bluegrass Greensource. Vendors were also able to market their businesses and sell their own goods they brought to the event. Participants verbalized their strong interest and support of attending the 2018 market season. For the Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Agents, they learned how teamwork only works with effective collaboration. In preparation of this first time event, there were many roadblocks that occurred. However, through effective communication and collaboration between the Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Agents with the Nicholasville Farmer’s Market, each roadblock was overcome.