Estill County Farm Scoop
October 2023 Edition
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Estill County Farm Scoop
October 2023
Happy fall everyone! It is my favorite time of year, and I am looking forward to the cooler weather. There are many interesting events happening this month, and those flyers are included in this issue. Be sure to mark your calendars for the classes you would like to attend and follow us on Facebook at Estill County Cooperative Extension to stay updated on more programs taking place this month. A special time of the year is upon us, which is Tree Week! This will be happening October 6th through the 15th and there is many different events that will be taking place during this time. You can read more about this on the next page and follow the link to see all of the events being offered. Also included in this newsletter is an article that will give more information about the fall weather and frost approaching. Now is a great time to get your soil samples in to have them ready to go for spring. As always, I am here to help with any questions you may have and I am happy to help. Have a great October!
Emma Lee
County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources
emma.lee@uky.edu
Tree Week Brings People and Nature Together
The sixth-annual Tree Week celebrates greenspaces that surround us.
By Jordan Strickler
Lexington and the University of Kentucky are gearing up for the sixth-annual Tree Week, a week-long celebration of the trees and greenspaces that surround us. This unique event, scheduled for Oct. 6-15, allows residents to interact with the natural beauty of Kentucky's green spaces. “Tree Week is aimed at connecting people of all walks of life to the nature where we live, helping us all to be more connected to the value of trees andgreenspaces in our lives,” said Mary Arthur, UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment professor emeritus. Arthur was previously a professor of forest ecology in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. The week, presented by the UK Urban Forest Initiative includes many different events including tree-planting, guided tours, an Arbor Day celebration, nature-inspired music and other activities at The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. Activities amid fall foliage at Ashland The Henry Clay Estate include educational tree walks, birding programs, calming yoga sessions and more.
“Tree Week branches together people, the community and the environment,” said Heather Wilson, program manager senior in Lexington’s Division of Environmental Services. “Trees are important in so many ways and help establish a sense of place for our community.” As a symbol of the week's significance, organizers will hold the annual Signature Tree Planting event this year at Castlewood Park Oct. 6, from 5:30-7:30, featuring the band Lylak, the food truck Olmedas and tabling by multiple organizations.The event is a collaboration of the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the UK College of Medicine, UK College of Arts and Sciences, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG), the Lexington Public Library, Fayette County Public Schools, local merchants, nature centers as well as community and nonprofit organizations.
Tree Week’s full spectrum of activities and registration details can be found at https://ufi.ca.uky.edu/treeweek.
Join us for the MarketReady Buyer Tour in Louisville, KY!
Tour Information: During the tour, we will visit 3 or 4 buyers in the Louisville area to see what happens behind the back doors! The buyers are to-be-determined; however, they will
include a restaurant, a grocery/retail market, and a farm-to-school buyer.
The Buyer Tour allows growers and producers to get a behind-the-scenes look at what happens at these various marketplaces. Growers and producers can ask questions, talk with buyers, and get first-hand experience with what it is like to sell to a restaurant, grocery/retail store, or farm-to-school buyer. Producers as well as technical assistance providers are encouraged to join!
Cost: This event will be free-of-charge but does require an RSVP. Because this tour is limited on available seats -- make sure to secure your spot today! RSVP via the webform below.
Logistics: The tour will start at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Office on Bunsen Parkway. The tour will begin promptly at 9 am. From the Office, we will be carpooling [it is optional, but transportation will be provided] to each buyer location. You can drive yourself if you wish.
Lunch will be provided and sourced from a local restaurant. We will end the tour at the
Kentucky Farm Bureau Office at 3 pm.
Parking in the Extension Office Lot: Please use the map above to guide you to the Kentucky Farm Bureau Office. The office is letting us use their space for a meet-up, so please be courteous and park in the spaces farther away from the front door. The office's physical address is 9201 Bunsen Parkway, Louisville, KY 40220.
To RSVP, visit https://marketready.uky.edu/events/buyertourlou2023
Reviving Kentucky's sweet tradition: University of Kentucky to host maple syrup workshop
Workshop attendees will immerse themselves in the world of the state’s maple syrup industry
By Jordan Strickler, Published on Sep. 20, 2023
Lexington, Ky.—
In 1930, a sugar shortage hit Kentucky, compelling residents to tap into their resourcefulness and try their hand making maple syrup. Over the years, this craft gradually faded into obscurity.
But in recent years, Kentucky’s maple syrup production has made a remarkable resurgence. On Oct. 16 at the Boone County Environmental and Nature Center, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will join forces with the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association, the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, The Ohio State University and the Ohio Maple Producers Association to host a workshop to expand the public’s maple syrup knowledge.
The primary objective is to cultivate and expand knowledge of the maple syrup industry and equip attendees with the necessary skills to embark on their own syrup-making ventures.
“This hands-on maple syrup production workshop will walk participants through the entire process—from selecting and tapping trees to value-added options and retail considerations,” said Billy Thomas, extension forester with the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.
During the workshop, participants may immerse themselves in the world of the state’s maple syrup
industry and gain insights into national trends related to maple syrup demand.
The day promises to be a hands-on experience guiding attendees through the intricate maple
syrup production process. Participants will learn about tapping techniques and various methods of sap collection as well as engage in discussions
on maple syrup production. Participants will learn about value-added options and retail variables during the workshop's concluding dinner. "The maple syrup industry in Kentucky is experiencing remarkable growth,” Thomas said. “We
believe this program will play a pivotal role in supporting not only individual maple syrup producers but also the industry as a whole."
To register for this enriching workshop, please visit https://ky-maplesyrup.ca.uky.edu/workshops.
The cost is $10, including dinner.
Partial funding for this project was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant AM200100XXXXG007. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
Kentucky Beef Conference - October 26, 2023
In person at the Clark County Extension Office, 1400 Fortune Drive, Winchester, KY 40391
9:00-10:00 registration, visit sponsors
$10 registration fee
RSVP by October 20th to Clark County Extension Office 859-744-4682
Estill County Beef Producers & Cattlemen Meeting
Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting will be held at the Estill County Extension Office, 76 Golden Court, Irvine
To view the entire newsletter, download the attached PDF.
