On-Farm Commercial Vegetable Demonstration and Observation Plots in South-Central Kentucky

Two on-farm commercial vegetable demonstrations were conducted in south-central Kentucky, along with three specialty melon observation plots in 2003. Grower/cooperators were located in Edmonson and Larue counties. The grower/cooperator in Edmonson County grew one acre of cantaloupes, marketed through Green River Produce Marketing Cooperative located in Horse Cave, Kentucky. In Larue County, the cooperator grew approximately 0.7 acre of mixed vegetables, half on plastic mulch/trickle irrigation (watermelon, cantaloupes, specialty melons, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, and peppers). The other half was grown on bare ground with only trickle irrigation (potatoes, squash, okra, gourds, sweet corn, bush, lima, and pole beans). The cooperator used local farmers’ markets and on-farm marketing. Specialty melon observation plots were located in Barren, Hart, and Larue counties. These plots ranged from 20 plants to a few hundred plants. Varieties included Sprite, Sundew, St. Nick, Golden Beauty, and Dorado. The cooperators in Barren and Larue counties sold through local farmers’ markets, while the Hart County cooperator sold through an established roadside market.