2023-2024 MSP Training Grant

Commodities

Practices

Dr. Tim Woods is the UK State Coordinator and Brett Wolff is the Kentucky Program Assistant. In addition to his leadership of the program, Dr. Woods brings expertise in marketing, agribusiness development, and local food systems. Brett continues to act as a networker for the program, identifying new opportunities for collaboration and new venues to share SSARE resources. In our proposed programming this year, we are offering two intensive travel-based training opportunities for ag professionals. The first is a training trip to Utah so that the Ag professionals can learn more about cut flower marketing and production to better support the burgeoning cut flower industry in the state. The second provides funding for a core of extension professionals to attend the national Soil Conservation Conference and think critically about how to do better conservation outreach to counties.  While the bulk of programming costs associated with the Third Thursday Thing are included in the Kentucky State University proposal, we have historically provided support to their monthly workshops and the program assistant supports both programs. The dynamic and needs for supporting that program --given the additional program assistant funds--is yet to be determined. 

Note that the funds in Kentucky are split into Kentucky State University funds and University of Kentucky funds. The two programs work together, though each has slightly different but complementary goals. 

The University of Kentucky’s program is this year is offering intensive training via travel opportunities in two primary areas: a Cut Flower Learning Experience Trip and supporting a core group attendance to the 2023 Soil and Water Conservation Society Conference.

2023 Revised Objectives

• Continue to offer the basic science-based information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing.
• Supplement previous efforts with new on site training for cut-flower grower support.
• Expanding professional capacity of agriculture professionals to discuss marketing and growing cut flowers.
• Development of a core campus-county partnership discussing soil conservation and how to best share that information with agents.

2022 Kentucky SARE MSP Objectives:

• Continue to offer the basic science-based information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing.
• Supplement previous efforts with new subject matter training about farm succession and transition planning.
• Expanding professional capacity of agriculture professionals in supporting producers as they plan for the present and future of their farms.
• Support the further development of a community of women working in sustainable agriculture.

Program details:

Cut Flower Learning Experience Trip

A team of agricultural professionals and farmer leaders (25 participants) will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina to visit with their cut flower production and marketing unit. In addition to visiting with NCState Extension, the group will travel to 3-5 farms in the surrounding area to see how these producers have developed their production systems and markets. This is in response to a tripling of the number of cut flower farms in Kentucky over the last 5 years. Upon return, travel participants will be convened to help structure future training plans and to assess future needs for supporting cut flower producers. We will do in-depth evaluation at this time to complement a pre-trip evaluation so we can assess knowledge gained. 

Soil and Water Conservation Society Conference

Soil and water conservation are a critical component of on-farm sustainability. We will fund a small group of campus and county-based personnel to attend the 2023 Soil and Water Conservation Society Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. The trip will provide an opportunity for all parties to learn directly via conference sessions, but more importantly allows for the development of conversations about how we might improve county-level outreach related to soil and water conservation. Upon return, travel participants will be convened to help structure future training plans and to complete a post-training evaluation. Details: https://www.swcs.org/events/conferences/2023-annual-conference/