Kentucky Agricultural Council

Jan. 23, 30-31
Horses & Hot Chocolate Mounted Games
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington (1:00 p.m. EST):  The United States Mounted Games Association provides opportunities for riders of all ages to enjoy games on horseback and to compete internationally as well as in the United States. There are more than 25 different races and some involve getting on and off the horse during the race. The games are taught at clinics, such as this, and in beginner divisions at competitions, which are held throughout the year.  For more information contact Paul Grieling at (502) 222-4016 or visit www.usmga.us.

Jan. 26, 2010
Top Producer’s Young Farmer Program
Chicago, IL (8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST): Event includes small group discussions on succession planning, conflict management, building credit and more.  Cost: $95 before 12/18; $150 after.  Visit www.agweb.com/TopProducer/YoungFarmer.aspx for more information or click here to register.

Feb. 4-6
AGA Conference – Grazing America
Hyatt Regency, 401 W. High St., Lexington:  The American Grassfed Association’s conference will feature  Growing Your Grassfed Business and From Farm Gate to Customers Plate as the conference themes.  Sessions will be held at the Hyatt, the University of Kentucky and Berea College.  Cost: $299 pre-registered; $349 at the door.  Visit www.americangrassfed.org for more information and schedule. 

Feb. 5-12, 2010
NAFDMA Convention
Lancaster, PA:  The Networking Association for Farm Direct Marketing and Agritourism convention includes a three-day bus tour, a day of full-day workshops, and a day of conference concurrent sessions. It also includes a trade show. Visit www.nafdma.com for more information. 

Feb. 8
Home-based Microprocessor Workshop
Warren Co. Extension Office, Bowling Green (9:30 am – 3:30 pm CST):  This workshop satisfies the educational requirements for farmers wishing to be certified according to HB391 regulations to sell value-added products produced on the farm.  The workshop is $50 and includes lunch.  Participants must attend the entire workshop and pass both exams to be considered eligible for home-based microprocessor certification. Recipes must also be approved at a fee of $5 per recipe.  Questions should be directed to Dr. Sandra Bastin at (859) 257-1812 or sbastin@uky.edu or visit www.ca.uky.edu/agc/micro/ to register.

Feb. 10-13, 2010
National Farm Machinery Show
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville: The future of farming is coming to the 44th National Farm Machinery Show, as the nation’s largest indoor farm show returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center in February. Visit www.farmmachineryshow.org for more information.

Feb. 11
Nursery Winter Workshop
Lyndon City Hall, 515 Wood Rd., Louisville (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST):  Participants will learn about such topics as transplanting, surviving the recession, integrated pest management, and more.  Cost:  $30 by Feb. 4; $45 at the door.  For more information contact Amy Fulcher at (859) 257-1273 or afulcher@uky.edu.

Feb. 11
Regional Strategy for Biobased Products in the Mississippi Delta
Dyersburg State Commuinty College, Dyersburg, TN 38024 (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST): Hear presentations to discuss the conclusions of a five-state study that researched how established industries such as agriculture, biotechnology and chemistry can merge to create a new bioeconomy that is already valued at more than $140 billion in global sales. The study examines the potential for agricultural and forestry revitalization through the development of new markets in 98 Mississippi River Delta counties across Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.  RSVP by Wednesday, January 13 for the Jackson meeting and Monday, February 1 for the Dyersburg meeting with Sara Studdard at sara@biodimensions.net or (901)866-1800.

Feb. 12
Kentucky Agricultural Council Quarterly Meeting
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville (9:00 a.m. EST): This meeting will be a special meeting as we have our transition of Chairmen and recognition of outgoing and incoming board members.  The meeting is being held in conjunction with the Farm Machinery Show.  For more information, contact Dawn Riley at dawn.riley@insightbb.com.

Feb. 12
Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Monthly Meeting
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville (1:00 p.m. EST):  This is the monthly meeting of the KADB and will be an action month for pending applications.  The meeting is being held in conjunction with the Farm Machinery Show.  For more information, visit agpolicy.ky.gov or call (502) 564-4627.

Feb. 13-14, 2010
Kentucky Equine Trail Summit
Blue Licks State Resort Park, Mt. Olivet.  More information will become available closer to event.  Contact: Ginny Grulke, director@kentuckyhorse.org, (859) 533-7002, www.kentuckyhorse.org.

Mar. 1
Agritourism Update
Barren Co. Extension Office, 1463 W. Main St., Glasgow (9:30 am – 3:00 pm CST):  Hosted by the Cave Region Agritourism Assoc. and the Agritourism Advisory Council, registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. CST.  Cost: $20, made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.  R.S.V.P. by Feb. 24 to Whitney Meadows, Director of Agritourism, at whitney.meadows@ky.gov or (502) 564-4983 x. 223.

March 15 – Dec. 30
This is the American Saddlebred
The American Saddlebred Museum , 4083 Iron Works Pkwy (Kentucky Horse Park), Lexington: This is the American Saddlebred explores the versatility of the “horse America made” from Civil War mount to dressage and show jumping competitor; from cutting, reining and trail riding horse to children’s companion; and, from backyard pet to show-ring star.  For more information call (859) 259-2746 or visit www.americansaddlebredmuseum.org for admission and hours of operation. 

March 15-18
Kentucky Cheesemaking School
Bleugrass Chevre, Lexington:  The seminar session and hands-on cheesesmaking session will provide the student with current information necessary for making a commercial value added cheese product from dairy sheep, goat or cow milk.  Cost: $275/per person, includes materials and lunches.  For more information contact Terry K. Hutchens at (859) 257-2465 or thutchen@uky.edu.  Information is also available at www.uky.edu/AFS/goats/goat.html.   

March 24-26, 2010
Kentucky Forest Industries Annual Meeting
Holiday Inn University Plaza, Bowling Green.  More information will be available at a later date at www.kfia.org.

May 14-16, 2010
Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival
Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Road, Lexington:  This event will be held in conjunction with the Bluegrass Classic Stockdog Trial.  For more information contact Sharon Koontz at sharon@kysheepandgoat.org or (502) 352-2434.

BLUEGRASS FARMERS' MARKET
The Bluegrass Farmers’ Market is now open for the 2009 season, from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Saturdays and on Tuesdays from 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM.  It is located in the parking lot of “Pedal the Planet” and “Fast Signs,” at 3450 Richmond Road, in Lexington, between "Glenn Auto Mall" and Squires Road.  It is a “100% KY PROUD grower/producer market."  The market is WIC and Sr. FMNP approved.  Resale of purchased or out-of-state products or produce is not allowed. Tomatoes, sweet peppers, green beans, sweet corn, summer squash, and blueberries are now starting to 'come in'.  Grass-fed beef, eggs, and Mennonite cheeses are at the Saturday market.  Please DO NOT expect to find produce that is not yet available this early in the Kentucky growing season!

Attention:  We have been invited to set up, and have now added a smaller satellite market,, every Thursday, beginning July 9, from 4:00-6:30 PM, in the Employee Parking lot (near the entrance) of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, at 350 Newtown Pike.

The market web site is http://www.bluegrassfarmersmarket.org/ and their twice-weekly market blog is available at  http://www.localharvest.org/blog/29529. For more information, or to learn how to join the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market, please contact Linda McMaine, lmcmaine@gmail.com or at (859) 321-0241.
 
LEXINGTON FARMERS MARKET
Kentucky's largest outdoor farmers' market is currently open in our new location in Cheapside Park near the Old Courthouse on Main Street, 7am until 3 pm. On Sundays, the market is open on Southland Drive (near Winchell’s and Slone’s) from 10am to 2pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the market is open on the corner of South Broadway and Maxwell Streets, 7am until 4pm or Sold Out. On Wednesday, June 17th, a new market will open at The Mall at Lexington Green from 4pm to 7pm. The Lexington Farmers Market is unique with over 65 farmers and hundreds of farm fresh products, including organic produce, meats, cheeses, eggs, honey, baked goods, locally produced wines, Amish butter, and more! Free parking! Come and support local farms! For more information, call (859) 608-2655 or visit www.lexingtonfarmersmarket.com.
 
NORTON COMMONS FARMERS MARKET
9420 Norton Commons Blvd, Prospect (Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) How to get there: take the Gene Snyder to Hwy 22 east; turn left on Chamberlain Lane and turn right onto Norton Commons Boulevard at the roundabout. The Town Center is at Meeting Street and Norton Commons Boulevard. Opens April 4 for the season with new attractions, including crepes and coffee from Gelato Gilberto, omelets made fresh by Earth’s Promise farm, Great Harvest Bread Company and Holy Branch Gourds. Live music begins in May, along with children’s attractions and chefs demos. In addition to seasonal produce, the market sells grass-fed beef, certified organic poultry and vegetables, pork and sausage, lamb, pasture-raised eggs, baked goods, honey, jams and preserves, native perennials and other potted plants, cool-season vegetable and perennial plants, herb plants, bedding plants and hanging baskets.

SOMERSET FARMERS’ MARKET
Somerset Mall, South Hwy 27, Somerset. Opens Saturday, May 2 at 8:00 a.m. EDT. For more information, contact Beth Wilson at (606) 679-6361 or http://pulaski.ca.uky.edu/Horticulture.

SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY’S FARM MARKET
Cumberland Valley Gardens, Corbin Bypass at 2095 KY Hwy 3041 Market Phone Number: (606) 528-9380. The market is open to wholesale and retail customers Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Supporting Sustainable Family Farming in Kentucky! Supporting Kentucky Proud products!

Equine Media Training
The Kentucky Horse Council offers a complimentary 4-hour interactive seminar designed to provide members of Kentucky media information on how to safely and effectively report horse stories. The training includes: horse behavior, safety, horse breeds & uses, disciplines (including World Equestrian Games & Local), terminology, writing workshop, and current issues affecting the horse industry. For more information or to schedule a training in your area, contact Essie Rogers at (859) 367-0509.

Need more coverage for your event?
Visit the Kentucky Department of Travel’s industry site (www.KentuckyTourism.com/industry) to upload brief information about your activities and attractions. Travel depends on those in tourism and agritourism to populate their events listings, so this is a great opportunity to cross promote to the travel market. Click on the above link and the click on the “extranet” link on the right and follow the directions.

Have news about your community farmers’ market to share? E-mail sandra.gardner@ky.gov for an opporutnity to list your market’s information here.
Certified Roadside Farm Market Program
Kentucky Farm Bureau is accepting applications for its Certified Roadside Farm Market Program. Markets certified through this program are identified by the cornucopia logo and are listed in the Certified Roadside Farm Market Directory. The program provides collective advertising, promotional items, education tour opportunities, and other marketing benefits with the intent to increase the net farm income of member markets. The enrollment fee for membership is as follows for applications post-marked by February 15, 2010 is $300. Applications for membership are available on the Kentucky Farm Bureau web site (kyfb.com/roadside) or by calling (502) 495-5106 or e-mailing kkeeton@kyfb.com.

GREEN RIVER CATTLE COMPANY SHIPS GOURMET BEEF GIFT PACKAGES
Green River Cattle Company now offers their gourmet beef in packages ideal for filling the freezer or shipping to friends for the holidays. Shoppers may visit their website at www.greenrivercattle.com to view the brochure and print the order form. These selections make available the Company’s best beef cuts in packages starting at $39. The packages ship in foam coolers to most addresses east of the Mississippi River for $20 and many other locations for slightly more. Shoppers may place orders by email, fax, phone or mail. For more details, phone the Green River Cattle Company offices at 270-932-9677. Email inquiries at Info@GreenRiverCattle.com are also welcome.

FRESHWATER SHRIMP
If you are looking for cleaned frozen freshwater shrimp, and cleaned filleted, de-boned, frozen tilapia contact Joe and Sheila McCord at (859) 744-4860 or (859) 808-1542. If you have any questions you can also email smccord977@aol.com.

SMOKED FISH AND CAVIAR
Order Shuckman’s Gourmet Smoked Fish and Caviar! Contact Shuckman’s Fish Co. & Smokery at toll free (888) 990-8990 or visit their website at http://kysmokedfish.com/