UK Center For Crop Diversification Celebrates 25 Years Helping Farmers, Small Businesses Thrive

By Christopher Carney

 In 2000, the University of Kentucky Departments of Horticulture and Agricultural Economics at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) collaborated and created the New Crop Opportunities Center. Recognizing the importance of identifying other new potential crops that farms could grow, the Center for Crop Diversification (CCD), part of the UK Cooperative Extension Service, was introduced in 2013.

For 25 years, the CCD has produced and curated relevant, accessible resources including publications, price reports, events, videos and trainings — “meeting Kentucky producers where they are,” according to Brett Wolff, senior extension specialist and CCD co-director.

“Our mission is to help farmers and businesses plan, grow and market better,” Wolff said. “Being part of the Cooperative Extension Service, we have access to the 120-county outreach arm of the University of Kentucky, which is amazing but also an important responsibility to serve the Commonwealth.”

Getting out in the community

For 25 years, the CCD has introduced a number of impactful programs that have helped shape Kentucky and beyond. Some of the many programs offered include Marketing for All, the Horticulture BizQuiz, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Support, Farmers Market and Produce Auction Price Reports and Enterprise Budgets.  

Since 2013, CCD has led a regional specialty group called the Southern Extension and Research Activity (SERA-45) collaborative — advancing specialty crop research and outreach across multiple states. The program coordinates price reporting, networking toward regional collaboration, and discussions of resource needs related to crop diversification, horticulture (fruit, vegetable and nursery crops), agricultural economics, sustainable agriculture and organic production.  

Additionally, the CCD invests in the future of food and agriculture systems in Kentucky through the undergraduate fellowship program, designed for college students interested in learning more about specialty crops.

For Alexis Sheffield, UK Extension specialist and CCD co-director, each of these programs and events reinforces their mission to strengthen Kentucky’s specialty crop sector — contributing to resilient local food systems and agricultural research and serving as the primary source of information for people.

“We’re able to be that one source and if they need something more specific, we can call on an economist or an entomologist. We know who to ask,” Sheffield said. “We also know how to bring those people together and getting UK out into the communities, getting it out to the agents and supporting them in the counties.”