Center for Crop Diversification

06/19/2026

Looking for better ways to seed your crops? Join us at our field day with the Organic Association of Kentucky & Kentucky Horticulture Council to explore innovative techniques and equipment designed for farms of all scales.

When: Aug 25, 2026
Where: UK Horticulture Research Farm
Time: 8 AM - 4 PM, ET
RSVP 👉 https://ccd.uky.edu/atfd

06/18/2026

Our June newsletter just hit your email inbox! Swipe to see the highlights, or read more here 👉 https://mailchi.mp/uky/june-newsletter-13054520

06/16/2026

🍑 Join us for a UK Fruit Extension Field Day!

We will be hosting a field day on July 20 at the UK North Farm in Lexington highlighting our intensive peach systems as they enter their first year of harvest.

This event will be a chance to see several peach training systems in the field, discuss early production and management considerations, and learn more about the opportunities and challenges of growing peaches in these systems in Kentucky.

More details are available in the attached flyer.

🍑 We hope to see you there!

06/15/2026

🌲🎄🌲 calling all Christmas tree growers 🌲🎄🌲
Save the Date for KCTA's Annual Fall Meeting, which will take place on September 12. Registration will be available soon.

06/14/2026

CCD Summer Fellow, Eliana Lee, shares her work so far this summer as she learns more about the Farm-to-Restaurant marketing approach.

As I begin my fellowship and continue research, I have become increasingly interested in farm-to-table feasibility and farm-to-restaurant relationships. In the future I hope to work within the farm to table industry, so this topic is extremely meaningful and interesting to me. Throughout my research...

06/13/2026

This year's field day is focused on all things transplants! 🌱 From more efficient ways to seed and fill your trays, to planting and seeding in the field. This event is perfect for the small to medium scale farmer looking to take the next step in scaling their operation! Join us along with the Organic Association of Kentucky and the Kentucky Horticulture Council for this awesome event in August at the University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture research farm in Lexington!

06/12/2026

Brett recently toured Western Kentucky with the office of Land Grant Engagement. Check out his reflections here:

I was fortunate to attend the recent Land-Grant Engagement Bus Tour through Western Kentucky. The trip focused on community and economic development, as well as the initiatives, successes, challenges, and opportunities shaping the region. Here are the places we visited:

06/11/2026

Don't forget, we are looking for someone to join our CCD team as a full-time Extension Associate focused on specialty crop marketing support.

This role supports specialty crop producers through workshops, webinars, training, technical assistance, outreach materials, and data-driven resources. It contributes to Center for Crop Diversification programs focused on direct-to-consumer and intermediary sales channels, price reporting, enterprise budgets, data management, impact tracking, and project coordination. The position also supports Market Ready programming and CSA innovation projects in collaboration with university, farm, Extension, wellness, and national partners.

Full details and application here 👉 https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/632267

06/10/2026

Last month, some of the CCD squad got to hang with Hort Agents at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens! We enjoyed great views, yummy food, and even better conversations.

06/08/2026

Join Community Farm Alliance & the Kentucky Horticulture Council for a High Tunnel Crop Planning Field Day in Booneville on June 24th.

Register here 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyWNETbNKxBr4wJ_Q7NgqonQgdufL5uaG42fd2v5NZxroRag/viewform