Tag: Partner Story

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The Howards & CEA

CFA Admin

Crisp, farm fresh lettuce in the middle of winter? Revenue coming in as all the seed, plant starts, and other winter expenses start to pile up? Jeff & Sue Howard of Howard Farms in Breathitt County can answer “Yes!” to both questions thanks to their investment in controlled environment agriculture systems.

Nestled in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Jeff and Sue Howard turned to agriculture a little over ten years ago to help pay the mortgage after Jeff was laid off from the mines. Moving from gardening for personal use to commercial growing on a small plot of land was a bit of a learning curve. The Howards started by reaching out to the Breathitt County Extension Office and then grew their network of technical assistance providers and resources to include the Kentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development (KCARD), Grow Appalachia, the Kentucky Horticulture Council, USDA-NRCS, Community Farm Alliance, and others. Through their perseverance and vision of how their farm could grow using the available resources, they combined open field production with controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems to make the most of their space.

Over the last decade, their farm has grown to include two high tunnels, two greenhouses, and a hydroponic lettuce system in addition to their open field growing spaces. Jeff credits their controlled environment agriculture systems with enabling them to expand from farmers markets into new market channels such as schools and community support agriculture (CSAs) which has provided them “a more constant and reliable source of income year-round.” Sue notes that “it [CEA] has turned our part-time/summer-time farming into year-round farming.”

Their hydroponic lettuce system, housed in one of the high tunnels, has supplied the Jackson Independent Schools with lettuce during the school year and their summer feeding program for the last four years. This farm-to-school program was recently highlighted on KET’s Kentucky Life with Part one featuring the farmers, including the Howards, who supply the school and part two featuring Jackson Independent.

Last December, the Howards got a call asking if they could supply a winter farm share that was being aggregated by Northfork Local Food to serve families in the Knott and Perry County school systems. Between their hydroponic lettuce production and high tunnel capacity, they agreed. Thanks to the Howards’ investment in controlled environment agriculture, 50 families in Knott and Perry Counties have enjoyed fresh lettuce along with chives, radishes, salad turnips, and other greens throughout this winter and early spring – and the Howards have enjoyed regular income.

Pictured: Jeff & Sue at the Perry County Farmers Market, one of the Northfork winter resilience farm shares & lettuce growing in their hydroponic system, one of the

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Ballew Farms Mentorship Program

CFA Admin

Something Special Is Taking Root at Ballew Farms

The Ballew family has launched a campaign to support their ACES Cooperative Farming Program, an initiative focused on helping new and aspiring farmers access mentorship, shared equipment, and hands-on learning opportunities.

ACES, which stands for Agricultural Community & Education Services, is designed to build pathways into farming by connecting beginning farmers with experienced growers, shared resources, and real opportunities to learn the skills needed to steward land and build sustainable farm businesses. Programs like this are especially important as new farmers face barriers to land access, equipment, and technical support.

This effort is also about continuing and sharing generations of agricultural knowledge. The Ballew family — a family of Black farmers — is working to make sure that farming wisdom, community connection, and opportunities in agriculture continue to grow for the next generation.

Supporting the campaign means investing in people, land, and the future of local food systems. It’s a way to help expand access to tools, mentorship, and cooperative support that can make farming more accessible for new producers.

Learn more and support the project here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ballewfarms/ballew-farms-farmer-mentorship-program

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Central Appalachian Family Farm Fund: Local Relief, Rooted in Partnership

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When a devastating EF-4 tornado tore through Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell Counties earlier this year, family farms across the region faced a familiar reality: being first to feel the impact, and often last in line for recovery resources.

At Community Farm Alliance (CFA), we leaned into the relationships we’ve built over decades—because in times of crisis, it’s community connections that move fastest.

Through the Central Appalachian Family Farm Fund (CAFFF), and with the support of the Sassafras Collective and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, CFA helped coordinate relief for those hardest hit. The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky managed the fund, while CFA led outreach and supported the application process with the help of our trusted partners on the ground.

Extension offices in Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell Counties played a key role in helping us reach farmers quickly and equitably. Together, we focused on a simple goal: get direct assistance to people who needed it—without red tape.

By the Numbers:

  • $82,800 in grants distributed to 22 farms
  • Total estimated damages: $2.7 million
  • Estimated 2025 income loss: $786,000
  • 13 farms experienced total loss of barns or structures
  • 14 farms had major equipment losses
  • 18 farms dealt with severe debris in their fields and pastures; all hay growers lost their first cutting

How It Worked

The relief effort was grounded in trust, local knowledge, and collaboration. CFA staff and partners worked directly with affected communities to identify needs, support applications, and coordinate next steps. This wasn’t just about recovery—it was about standing with farm families as they navigated uncertainty and worked to rebuild.

This process also surfaced deeper, long-term needs:

  • Gaps in emergency assistance for small and mid-sized farms
  • The vulnerability of infrastructure and equipment
  • The critical role of local networks in disaster response

These are not new challenges, but the storm brought them into sharper focus and reaffirmed the importance of continued investment in rural resilience.

Thank You to Our Partners

This fund was made possible by the Sassafras Collective, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, and the ongoing dedication of the county extension offices in Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell Counties, as well as Grow Appalachia, Extension Agents, farmers, Cowan Community Action Group, and KCARD for helping identify farmers and serve on the review committee.

What’s Next

As we look ahead, CFA remains committed to:

  • Supporting ongoing recovery in these counties
  • Advocating for stronger safety nets for family farms
  • Building infrastructure that’s prepared for whatever comes next

We know that when local organizations work together, solutions take root faster—and deeper.

Want to support this work? Donate here

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BUFF+2: Lexington Students Take Root in Urban Agriculture

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Over the summer and fall of 2025, seven Lexington high school students took part in BUFF+2—a youth urban agriculture training program created in collaboration with FoodChain, Seedleaf, Two Suns Farm, and Community Farm Alliance. But this wasn’t just a summer job or classroom lecture. It was a season of hands-in-the-soil learning, led by educator and farmer Sharon Stone at Two Suns Farm, a third-acre growing space tucked into downtown Lexington.

From the very first day, the program centered student voice, autonomy, and critical thinking. Each participant was assigned their own individual plot at the farm and was asked to create a full production plan based on their personal goals. Their plans included business vision, resource needs, planting schedules, soil health, and pest management strategies. Sharon Stone, who owns and operates Two Suns Farm, brought her experience as both a grower and an educator to the forefront.

“You can’t teach someone unless you know them,” she said. She worked with each student to refine their plan, helping them shape realistic, meaningful goals. With her guidance, students not only learned what to grow, but why it mattered to them.

Problem-Solving in Real Time

Halfway through the season, students noticed something was going wrong in the field. Crops were being disturbed, and plants were disappearing overnight. With curiosity and concern, the group launched their own investigation, ruling out soil conditions, bugs, and other common culprits. Eventually, they decided to install a video camera—and what they caught on tape surprised everyone.

A groundhog.

The students sprang into action. They discussed humane removal options, set a trap, and notified Mr. Stone, who relocated the animal. For many, it was a turning point: a real-world farming challenge that they solved themselves, using teamwork and critical thinking.

Learning by Doing

Beyond their work at Two Suns Farm, the students participated in hands-on sessions with several regional experts and partner organizations, including:

  • UK Extension Office
  • American Farmland Trust
  • Commonwealth Community Credit Union
  • Briana Bazile, UK Graduate Entomologist

Through these sessions, they explored the connections between farming, business, science, and community development.

BUFF+2 students also helped with seasonal production for CSA shares and the Woodhill International Market, contributing directly to the local food economy. They hosted two open farm days for the public, selling flowers and produce while showcasing their hard work and creativity.

The program culminated with students selling their harvest at the Lexington Farmers Market’s Wednesday night market—where they managed their booth, engaged with customers, and proudly represented their farm plots.

Later that fall, they were invited to present their experience to the Fayette County Board of Education, reflecting on what they’d learned and how the program helped shape their interests and goals.

From Seed to Story

Each student came to BUFF+2 for different reasons—some with prior garden experience, others brand new to agriculture. By the end of the season, they had not only grown food, but grown confidence, skills, and a deeper connection to their community.

As Sharon Stone put it: “Assigning each student their own role helped them step into leadership. Once I understood their individual goals, I could help them shape their own plans. That’s where the learning really happened.”

This is what youth-led agriculture looks like—rooted in trust, fueled by curiosity, and grounded in the belief that learning should grow from the inside out.

Special thanks to:

  • The students!
  • Sharon Stone and Two Suns Farm
  • Partners at FoodChain, Seedleaf, and Community Farm Alliance
  • All the educators, mentors, and family members who supported the journey

See the story in action on WLEX 18!  

Member Story, Newsletters

Doubling Food Access and Farmer Sales at Red River Gorge Farmers Market

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Building Community Resilience, One Market at a Time: Red River Gorge Farmers Market and Kentucky Double Dollars

When the Red River Gorge Farmers Market (RRGFM) opened in 2019, it began with a vision: grow a farmers market that not only serves the local community, but strengthens the people growing the food. Nestled in Slade, Kentucky, a region better known for its natural beauty than access to fresh produce, the market became a gathering space and a lifeline.

But like many small rural markets, RRGFM faced a challenge: How do you serve a low-income community while still sustaining your vendors?

That’s where the Kentucky Double Dollars (KDD) program made a difference.

Meeting the Moment

In 2023, as RRGFM planned for its third season, the team applied to join the KDD program, which matches SNAP, WIC, and Senior nutrition benefits for fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and more. They were accepted, and immediately began the work of onboarding vendors, setting up outreach, and integrating the program into market operations.

Fast forward to 2025—now in their fifth season and third year as a KDD market—and the results speak volumes. Sales are up. Farmer participation is strong. And most importantly, more people in the community are able to access the food they want to eat.

As Market Leader Jann Knappage puts it:

“I see KDD as a program that helps bolster community resilience while making the work of small-scale growers more sustainable. It’s about neighbors supporting neighbors.”

Shared Success

In 2025, RRGFM offered multiple KDD-eligible products—from fruits and vegetables to meats, eggs, and dairy—through SNAP and other KDD matching. This not only gave customers more choices, it also helped farmer vendors expand their income, improve predictability, and feel more invested in the long-term viability of the market.

The market used KDD not just as a financial tool, but as part of a broader strategy to center food access and farmer well-being together.

  • Customers using SNAP, Senior Nutrition, and WIC could stretch their dollars
  • Farmers could sell more of what they grow, knowing their customers could afford it
  • The market could measure impact, helping to secure local support and funding

This is the power of KDD—not a one-time boost, but a platform that markets can build from.

A Note of Thanks

This success story was possible because of collaboration—from the farmers and organizers on the ground to the funders who believe in long-term investment in local food systems.

CFA and RRGFM extend deep thanks to:

  • USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
  • Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
  • Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky
  • Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

And individual supporters—people like you, who believe in the future of Kentucky’s farmers and communities.

What’s Next

As markets across Kentucky prepare for 2026, stories like Red River Gorge show what’s possible when markets are trusted with resources, and farmers are seen as key players in food access work—not just producers, but community leaders.

Programs like KDD don’t just grow sales—they grow stability. They grow relationships, and they grow a food system rooted in dignity.

Want to support markets like Red River Gorge and help expand KDD across the state? Become a member of CFA today!

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Learn More about Kentucky Double dollars