The USDA is now offering Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) to help growers like you expand your markets and develop new ones. This program is specifically for specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, herbs, nuts, and more.
What’s the Program About?
MASC provides payments to offset marketing costs (like packaging, transportation, and outreach).
It’s designed to help growers increase sales and improve profitability in 2025.
Who’s Eligible?
Current growers: If you sold specialty crops in 2023 or 2024, you can apply based on those sales.
New growers: If you started growing in 2023 or later and plan to sell in 2025, you can estimate your 2025 sales to apply.
How Much Can You Get?
Payments are based on your 2023 or 2024 sales (or 2025 projected sales for new growers).
Each farm can receive up to $125,000.
What Do You Need to Do?
Fill out the required forms (including FSA-1140 and supporting sales documents).
Submit your forms to your local FSA office by January 8, 2025.
Take Action Today!
Visit this USDA page or contact your local FSA office for more details. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow your farm and expand your markets!Submit your application by January 8, 2025.
The 2025 Kentucky Fruit & Vegetable Conference Planning Committee is seeking proposals for educational presentations. We welcome ideas for mini-sessions, full sessions, short courses, and more. We are especially interested in presentations from local growers.
Session topics should be highly focused for produce growers in Kentucky. Topics can address production methods, research results, business management strategies, and best practices. Specific content requests in recent years include: Variety Trials, Novel Crops for Kentucky, Social Media Strategies, Crop Rotation, Post-harvest Handling, Urban Farming, and High Tunnel Production.
This event historically has an attendance of 600 participants including growers, exhibitors, speakers, organizational representatives, and governmental agencies, with more than 70 educational sessions, grower roundtables, and a trade show. In 2025, the conference will be in Lexington at the Marriott Griffin Gate.
We encourage you to consider submitting a proposal to share your knowledge, passion, and innovation with others! Deadline to submit proposals: July 1, 2024. Multiple submissions are allowed. Presentation date and time will be confirmed with speakers by September 1, 2024.
Conference dates are Jan. 6-7, with Sunday, Jan. 5 reserved for short courses and pre-conference sessions and Monday – Tuesday the main educational program.
Kentucky cut flower growers are being celebrated this July in a month-long promotional event organized by the Kentucky Horticulture Council and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Each day, cut flower growers across the state will be featured on the Kentucky Grown Cut Flower Promotion Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kygrowncutflowerpromo) and other social media platforms, highlighting where customers can find locally-grown flowers on farms, at farmers markets, pop-up shops, through community supported agriculture subscriptions, and other outlets.
“July is a great month to shine the spotlight on Kentucky’s cut flower industry! Growers throughout the state are very creative in how they offer their offer their bright magnificent blooms to consumers,” said Kristin Hildabrand, Warren County horticulture extension agent. “Customers can find Kentucky blooms at local farmers markets, self-serve flower stands, pop up locations, and right off the farm for u-pick operations or during special field to vase arrangement workshops. If you have a special occasion coming up in the future, fresh locally grown cut flowers can fit that bill! Utilize locally grown flowers to enhance weddings, individual or family photography sessions, graduations, back to school bouquets, anniversaries, and other social gatherings. You simply can’t go wrong with fresh locally grown flowers!”
Most – about 80% – of cut flowers are imported for US markets, yet Kentucky farm conditions are well-suited for high-quality commercial production. The commonwealth is home to well over 130 commercial cut flower operations. The number of farmer-florists continues to increase each year.
“Cut flower production can be profitable for small to large scale Kentucky farms,” said Cindy Finneseth, KHC executive director. “Consumer demand for locally-grown products is high in both urban and rural areas. Our flower farms are growing a range of exceptional quality products to meet that demand.”
To help customers find Kentucky operations, the Kentucky Horticulture Council and UK horticulture agents have partnered with UK’s Center for Crop Diversification to produce an interactive, online map at https://uk-horticulture.github.io/KY-Cut-Flowers/. New farms are being added frequently and there may be a flower farm close to you.
“In the three short years July has been recognized as Kentucky Cut Flower Month, we have seen incredible growth and support for locally grown flowers,” said Alexis Sheffield, Boyle County horticulture extension agent. “Growing cuts has been a great way to introduce new, young people to farming and we have seen established farms begin to diversify their operations for both increased profits and ecosystem benefits. There are a growing number of florists who have started purchasing local blooms and cooperatives formed to support both the farmers and the florists. I am eager to see what another three years will do for this growing industry!”
To follow the cut flower month promotional activities, visit Facebook (@KYHortCouncil), Instagram (@KYHorticulture) or Twitter (@KYHorticulture).
The Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC) made a $26,850 donation to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Department of Plant & Soil Sciences in support of the turfgrass science program.
“With continued growth of the green industry in Kentucky, we are committed to supporting the turfgrass professionals across the state,” said Dr. Rebecca McCulley, Chair, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “This donation and our collaboration in hosting the Short Course are examples of the strong, mutually beneficial relationship between UK and our industry partners.”
The Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC) made this donation to support Extension programs that provide crucial technical assistance to green industry businesses across Kentucky including golf courses, sports turf, and landscape management companies.
“The Kentucky green industry has a market value of over $9 Billion and employs more than 26,000 Kentuckians in urban and rural areas,” Dr. Cindy Finneseth, Executive Director of KHC states. “Our industry relies heavily on the science-based, environmentally sound recommendations from Extension professionals that result in high-quality, safe, and sustainable residential areas and playing surfaces for sports.”
The UK Turfgrass Science program and KHC co-host the annual Kentucky Turf & Landscape Management Short Course that brings together industry professionals for comprehensive turfgrass and landscape management education. At the 2023 Short Course, the event planning team members were pleased to recognize Mrs. Linda Williams for her 45 years of service to the industry. She has been a key member of the planning team hosting the important industry event.
Kenneth Clayton, UK Turfgrass Extension Associate said, “Working with the Kentucky Horticultural Council provides a great opportunity to reach turfgrass professionals across the state, delivering to them needed continuing education. We look forward to helping turfgrass managers improve their success with this partnership.”
The 2024 Kentucky Turf & Landscape Management Short Course will be February 20-22 at the Hardin County Extension Center in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
Check presentation from the Kentucky Horticulture Council to the University of Kentucky Turfgrass Science Program. From left to right: Andy Rideout, Henderson County Extension Service, Beth Wilson, Pulaski County Extension Service, Cindy Finneseth, KHC Executive Director, Kenneth Clayton, Extension Associate, Rebecca McCulley, Department Chair, Plant & Soil Sciences, Jason Vaughn, Powell County Extension Service, and Ray Smith, Extension Professor.
Only a few days remain to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture! KHC encourages all specialty crop growers to fill out the Census.
Every 5 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the survey to count U.S. farms and growers who operate them. The survey is for all urban and rural producers, even those with small plots of land growing produce and ornamental crops if at least $1,000 were raised and sold (or would have been sold) during the Census year.
Land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures are documented. The Census provides uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation used by stakeholders including ag producers, companies and cooperatives, community planners, and legislators as well as students, educators, and researchers use the data as part of studies, education, and research initiatives. The data set is also tied to funding that comes to the state to support specialty crop programs.
NASS mailed the 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaires out to producers. Producers can respond online or return the completed questionnaires by mail. Some producers may be contacted for a personal interview. Responses are due by Feb. 6, 2023.
The annual Kentucky Turf & Landscape Management Short Course is the premier educational event for Kentucky turfgrass professionals. Meeting organizers have planned an excellent program for February 21-23, 2023 with more than 20 speakers and three educational tracks covering sports turf, golf course, and lawn and landscape topics as well as a business management track.
The University of Kentucky Turfgrass Program in cooperation with the Kentucky Horticulture Council is excited to announce registration is open for the 46th Annual Kentucky Turf & Landscape Management Short Course. This event will be held in person at the Hardin Co Extension Center in Elizabethtown, KY.
“This is Kentucky’s best turfgrass conference and we are excited to partner with the KY Horticulture Council again this year. This is a great opportunity for professional turfgrass and landscape managers to grow professionally and maintain their applicator license. This event is an opportunity to learn and network with other professionals from around the state,” Kenneth Clayton, UK Extension Associate for Turfgrass Science.
University of Kentucky specialists will be presenting sessions on pest control (insect, weed, and pathogen), water topics, ornamentals, and nutrient management. Several excellent out-of-state speakers are on the program including Jackie Guevara (Michigan State University), Dr. Bill Kreuser (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), and Dr. David Gardner (Ohio State University) as well as local industry speakers Robert Hoffman (Roundstone Native Seed), Eric Harshman (Transylvania University), and Alan Mark (Barenbrug Seed Company).
“The green industry of Kentucky is a multi-billion dollar market, with turfgrass and landscape management businesses contributing to the local economy in urban and rural communities across the state,” says Cindy Finneseth, KHC Executive Director. “The Short Course is an excellent networking and professional development event with CEUs for green industry professionals.”
The short course registration fee is $40 per day. The full conference program, information about pesticide CEUs, and registration instructions are available on the Short Course webpage. Registration is available from the event page and online through Eventbrite (link below) or by mailing in the meeting registration form by Friday, February 10. After this date, you may continue to register online until Friday, February 17. If space allows, on-site registration will be available at $60 per day.
A pre-conference pesticide training with certification testing through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is available on Tuesday, February 21. The training is $40 and the test fee is $25 and must be paid on-site.
This month, the Horticulture Council is highlighting the oldest agricultural organization in Kentucky: the Kentucky State Horticultural Society (KSHS). KSHS was formed in 1856 as a way to connect Kentuckians interested in fruit production. Today, KSHS is still a wealth of resources for anyone interested in producing, processing, or marketing fruit in Kentucky.
In keeping with the organization’s mission of supporting and promoting the research and education of fruit production in Kentucky, KSHS co-sponsors the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference each year. Growers, ag professionals, equipment and supply dealers, and technical service providers look forward to the 2-day conference each year for networking and informational sessions on topics of production and marketing of fruits and vegetables including new research, innovations, and techniques. In 2023 the conference will be held in-person in Bowling Green on January 2-4. See the conference schedule and register HERE.
Conference registration includes a membership to KSHS, but you can become a member at any time using this mail-in application. In addition to the Fruit and Vegetable Conference, annual membership to KSHS includes orchard tours and meetings each spring and summer as well as a business listing on the website and access to the KY Ag Health Care Trust.
For fruit-related resources, and find more information about KSHS, visit their website.
This month the Horticulture Council is featuring one of our member organizations, the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association (KVGA). For more than 50 years, KVGA has been supporting vegetable growers, diverse in size and scope, across the state. Operated by an all-farmer Board of Directors with advisory support from Kentucky Department of Ag (KDA), University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture, Berea College, and Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC), KVGA is a great resource for anyone growing or aspiring to grow vegetables on any scale.
Each January, KVGA co-sponsors the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference. In 2023 the conference will be held in-person in Bowling Green on January 2-4. Growers, ag professionals, equipment and supply dealers, and technical service providers look forward to the 2 day conference each year for networking and informational sessions on topics of production and marketing of fruits and vegetables including new research, innovations, and techniques. Conference registration includes a membership to KVGA, so this winter would be a great time to become a member. Stay tuned for details about and registration for the 2023 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference!
KVGA also puts out a quarterly newsletter that is a great resource. It contains seasonal production information and resources from vegetable growers and UK Extension Specialists. In the newsletter, you will also find upcoming horticulture related events across the state including field days, webinars, and conferences.
Kenneth Clayton has joined the University of Kentucky Turfgrass Science program as an Extension Associate. Mr. Clayton is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and brings nearly 15 years of golf course management experience to the turf program. He is a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GSCAA) and is on the Board of Directors of the Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents Association (KGCSA). In this new role, he will collaborate closely with Extension and research faculty, regional and local Extension personnel, industry representatives and other stakeholders state-wide.
Kenneth Clayton
“Turfgrass is ubiquitous across Kentucky,” says Kenneth Clayton. “The renowned turfgrass professor Dr. A.J. Powell said, “In the transition zone we can grow all grasses equally poor”. Successfully growing warm or cool season grasses is difficult in Kentucky. Therefore, I am delighted to be part of UK’s extension efforts to help turfgrass managers effectively grow grass across the state!”
The UK Turfgrass Science program is part of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment Department of Plant & Soil Sciences and is made up of experts in turfgrass management, weed science, plant pathology, entomology, and soil and water management. The program provides research-based information to support, sports turf and golf course managers, lawn and landscape professionals, sod growers, and others involved in the turfgrass industry. In addition to Kenneth Clayton, the Kentucky Turfgrass Science team includes UK Cooperative Extension Service Agents: Andy Rideout (Henderson Co), Jason Vaughn (Powell Co), and Beth Wilson (Pulaski Co). Engage with the UK Turfgrass Science team online (https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/).
The UK Turfgrass Science program has received a $15,000 industry donation. The Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC) made this donation to support Extension programs that provide crucial technical assistance to green industry businesses across Kentucky including golf courses, sports turf, and residential landscape management companies. KHC works closely with the UK Turfgrass Science program, supporting research, education and outreach programs that benefit green industry professionals.
“The Kentucky green industry has a market value of over $9 Billion and employs more than 26,000 Kentuckians in urban and rural areas,” Dr. Cindy Finneseth, Executive Director of KHC states. “Our industry relies heavily on the science-based, environmentally sound recommendations from Extension professionals that result in high-quality, safe, and sustainable residential areas and playing surfaces for sports.”
The UK Turfgrass Science program and KHC co-host the annual Kentucky Turf & Landscape Management Short Course that brings together industry professionals for comprehensive turfgrass and landscape management education.
“With continued growth of the green industry in Kentucky, we are committed to supporting the turfgrass professionals across the state,” said Dr. Rebecca McCulley, Chair, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “Hiring Kenneth to support the industry, KHC’s donation, and our collaboration in hosting the Short Course are examples of the strong, mutually beneficial tie between UK and our industry partners.”
The 2023 Kentucky Turf & Landscape Management Short Course will be February 21-23 at the Hardin County Extension Center in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Details about the Short Course are available online: https://kyhortcouncil.org/2023-ky-turf-short-course/
Kenneth Clayton can be reached by email at Kenneth.Clayton@uky.edu or by phone at 859-257-5785.
Each month, KHC features one of the Council’s member organizations to highlight how these groups support horticulture in Kentucky. This month we are featuring the Kentucky chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) which has more than 15,000 members nationwide. ASLA Kentucky, the professional organization representing landscape architects across our state, was incorporated on June 16th, 1980 by Edmund Ely, Lyle Aten, and David Burkholder.
You may be wondering, what is landscape architecture? How does it relate to horticulture and our communities? Landscape architecture is the planning, design, and management of outdoor environments intended for use by people, plants, and animals. This includes parks and trails, playgrounds, campuses, plazas, nature preserves, and arboretums, all of which require extensive knowledge of and enthusiasm for plants of all kinds. Not only do landscape architects need to have in-depth knowledge of horticulture, but in order to create beautiful and functional spaces with the health and safety of communities and the environment in mind, they must have a working familiarity with interconnected concepts such as erosion control, flood water management, conservation, and public health, not to mention art and design.
Because the work of landscape architects is highly skilled with a direct public impact, the profession is regulated by requiring a license and continuing education to practice – much like teachers or doctors. In the recent past, state legislature bills in several states, including Kentucky, have attempted to remove these regulations, allowing individuals without specialized education and experience to practice landscape architecture. In the early 2000’s, ASLA Kentucky united landscape architects from all across the state to lobby and ultimately defend regulation of their profession. This protection of licensure, and in turn, communities and land, has become one of the great purposes of the association.
Members of ASLA Kentucky are graduates or students of ASLA-recognized landscape architecture programs. For professionals in the field, membership provides a community for resource sharing, professional development, and collective inspiration. Currently, The University of Kentucky has the only accredited landscape architecture program in the state. See more about the program at: http://ukla.ca.uky.edu/.
