What thoughts do you have about the tactics discussed at the last working group meeting?

1.     School food purchasing tactic: Identify ways to leverage schools as largest produce buyer and help them communicate needs in a quantifiable way. Consider possibility of creating points with state food service association for those using KY Proud.  Include Kentucky Farm to School Network - Ky Hort Council, UK Crop Diversification, CFA, KDA, Dept of Education, et al.
2.     Innovation tactic: Coordinate with innovation networks throughout state (e.g. Bluegrass Ag Dev Tech, https://letsgrowtogether.tech, and WAVE/Ag Launch) and learn from other states domestically and abroad. Consider product success stories e.g. Hemp flooring
3.     Equipment diversification tactic: Promote farming diversification and innovation amongst funders – farmers need assistance from development or county funds for transitioning equipment. Consider potential for shared use equipment. Help funders be aware of specific equipment needed for producing different crops, such as KDA grant, county funds, etc.
4.     Woodland food co-op tactic: Help producers work cooperatively to get into the food-based products to work cooperatively to scale up to appropriate volume. E.g. mushrooms
5.     Woodland awareness tactic: Educate producers and/or landowners around financial opportunities in woodland. Provide incentives to work longer-term.
6.     Diversification & innovation networking tactic: Identify diversification models, how to make enterprises on the same farm work together, and existing training and mentoring programs e.g. Organic transition training and mentoring program. NRCS, RAS, RMA transition insurance. Soybean/Pork/KY Corn Growers LEAD program peer networking, KALP. Look into diversification & Innovation farmer network and fund: connect the dots, conduct trials, discussions, market matchmaking, etc.
7.     Coordinating ag tech connections tactic: Facilitate governor, KDA, KY Office of Ag Policy, legislative efforts around ag tech for a coordinated approach.
8.     Distillery tactic: Identify ways to leverage local with distilleries to have Kentucky corn, barley, rye, wood, and other crops put into products. Needs UK and local farmer trials, Beam Institute, et al.
9.     Biorenewable tactic: Work with existing association efforts to elevate interest in renewable fuel, e.g. methane digesters, ethanol aviation fuel, etc.
10.  Drones tactic: Adapt drones across all sectors of agriculture. Look for opportunities and challenges   related to drone innovation. Farmers are very interested in specific innovations e.g. bus trip.