Urban Farmers and Food Systems in Kentucky

Commodities

Practices

Urban agriculture is a minimally tapped economic opportunity for established and prospective farmers in Kentucky to increase food production and improve access to locally-grown produce within communities. Poor health metrics, poverty, and food insecurity continue to threaten the longevity and quality of life of Kentuckians. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is known to improve human health; however, price, availability, and other factors are substantial barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption in the general population, and particularly in low-income/low-access areas. Studies have shown that agriculture literacy is low, with limited understanding of where and how food is produced, particularly among urban residents. Few urban agriculture resources exist for Kentucky growers. Creating accessible extension resources that highlight farms and cover a series of topics related to urban agriculture, including multi-lingual infographics, factsheets, and guides will benefit prospective and established farmers in urban centers. More than 30 individuals and organizations have been identified in urban areas of Kentucky that provide some level of support to urban farms and growers. Significant issues exist including: fragmented geographic locations that create information silos; lack of science-based resources; competition for limited funding; and other concerns identified by stakeholders. Hosting a series of convenings including professionals and enthusiasts will encourage relationship building, collaboration, and information sharing. A series of urban farm tours (in person and virtual) will directly benefit prospective and existing urban farms to help growers implement best management and business practices. Seeing theory and technology in practice will directly and indirectly improve capacity of urban farming operations. Incorporating educational sessions that are highly focused on urban farming challenges into statewide and regional meetings will benefit growers, especially with grower panels to facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. The Urban Farmers and Food Systems in Kentucky project is designed to improve production knowledge and capacity, while reducing market barriers, and increase food system literacy in urban areas of the state through creation of educational resources, hosting convenings of ag professionals and enthusiasts, organizing farm tours, and coordinating urban ag educational tracks.

1. Create accessible educational resources (10) including multi-lingual infographics, factsheets, and guides that highlight farms and cover topics related to urban agriculture.
2. Host convenings (3) of professionals and enthusiasts to serve as an ad hoc advisory committee.
3. Organize urban farm tours (4) that will highlight and directly benefit urban farms to help growers implement best management and business practices.
4. Coordinate urban ag educational tracks (2) as part of the annual Kentucky Fruit & Vegetable Conference to share topical information and educational resources.