By Blake Jackson
In 2000, the University of Kentucky’s Departments of Horticulture and Agricultural Economics at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment launched the New Crop Opportunities Center. Recognizing the need for farmers to explore new crops, the Center for Crop Diversification (CCD), part of the UK Cooperative Extension Service, was established in 2013.
For 25 years, the CCD has provided relevant and accessible resources, including publications, price reports, events, videos, and trainings, “meeting Kentucky producers where they are,” said Brett Wolff, senior Extension specialist and CCD co-director.
“Our mission is to help farmers and businesses plan, grow and market better,” Wolff added. “Being part of the Cooperative Extension Service, we have access to the 120-county outreach arm of the University of Kentucky, which is amazing but also an important responsibility to serve the Commonwealth.”
The CCD has launched numerous programs supporting Kentucky and the surrounding region, such as Marketing for All, the Horticulture BizQuiz, CSA Support, Farmers Market and Produce Auction Price Reports, and Enterprise Budgets. Since 2013, CCD has led the Southern Extension and Research Activity (SERA-45) collaborative, advancing specialty crop research and regional collaboration in horticulture, agricultural economics, sustainable agriculture, and organic production.
Alexis Sheffield, CCD co-director, said, “We’re able to be that one source and if they need something more specific, we can call on an economist or an entomologist. We know who to ask. We also know how to bring those people together and getting UK out into the communities, getting it out to the agents and supporting them in the counties.”
The CCD also co-hosts Hort Culture, a weekly podcast now in nearly 150 episodes, and recently partnered on Kentucky’s first Mechanical Weed Control Field Day, offering hands-on learning for growers.
“The CCD team clearly knows what agents and growers, both experienced and new, need or find useful,” said Beth Wilson, horticulture agent. Wolff said, “We are all here to advance the collaborative land-grant spirit, which is at the heart of our work. We look forward to the next 25 years of service, creativity and collaboration.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a
Categories: Kentucky, Education, General