By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent
The Carter County Cooperative Extension Service and the Carter County Soil Conservation Service are pleased to be hosting the annual Farm & Family Field Day again this year. The 2022 event take place at Matt & Tracy’s Prichard farm in Willard on Thursday, September 8th. Registration will start at 4:30 PM and the farm walking tour will begin at 6:00 PM. The walking tour will include University of Kentucky Extension specialists Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler and Dr. Steve Higgins discussing fence-line weaning and farm efficiency.
A dinner by the East Carter & West Carter FFA chapters will be provided after the farm tour. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dessert to accompany the meal and as an entry for the dessert contest. Categories include cakes, pies, cookies, KY Proud (must be made with an item grown in Kentucky), and youth. Prizes will be awarded to the winner in each category.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will have their pesticide recycling trailer at the event, so farmers are encouraged to bring any empty pesticide containers they have for recycling. Containers should be triple rinsed and then punctured before drop off.
Carter County Farmer’s Market vendors will be on site that evening for an official pop-up Farmer’s Market. Vendors will be able to accept cash, senior vouchers, and WIC vouchers for their locally grown produce.
A variety of activities are also being planned for youth that night. 4-H Livestock Club members will be able to earn 4-H livestock credit for participating in the event.
Producers can pick up CAIP cost share applications that evening and the walking tour will count as CAIP educational credit. Additionally, a variety of local businesses and community organizations will have informational booths set up. Currently over 15 businesses have committed to attending the Farm & Family Field Day to share their services with local farmers.
Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the fun at the field day. For more information contact the Carter County Extension Office at 474-6686 or the Soil Conservation District at 474-5184 ext 3. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
Other Upcoming Events:
- The Grayson Farmer’s Market is open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM until sell out. The market is located in the shed behind the Extension Office. The Olive Hill Farmer’s Market is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM and Mondays at 3:00 PM until sell out each day. The Olive Hill market is located in the Save-a-Lot parking lot.
- Hay sampling is underway now for the East KY Hay Contest. Call 474-6686 by September 19th to request sampling.
- Little Sandy Beekeepers Meeting – Tuesday, September 6th @ 6:00 at the Carter County Extension Office
- Carter County Extension District Board Meeting – Tuesday, September 13th @ 11:00 AM at the Carter County Extension Office