Agriculture

One of the most anticipated rites of spring is dusting off the tiller and heading out to the vegetable garden for a little soil play. It is one of those things you can’t plan for, though.

It becomes a waiting game because we can’t do it if the soil is too wet, we don’t want to do it if it is too cold, and we only have the time to do it when the weekend rolls around.

Well, what would you say if I told you that you were off the hook when it comes to spring tilling?

Say cheese, Shelby County.

But you better be specific.

HomeTown Farm and Creamery is up and running on Vigo Road, and it's such a family business that not only do Mom and Dad and sons all put in work but even their cows are family

"They all have names, and each one has its own personality," said Tracy Curtsinger, who with her husband, Mark, and sons, Travis and Brandon, have created one of Shelby County's newest agribusinesses.

USDA extends deadline

to file in discrimination case

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the extension of the voluntary claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades. All claims must now be filed by May 1.

This is an ongoing issue that was the subject of several workshops around the state, including one in Simpsonville last year that was attended by federal and state agricultural leaders.

Fruit orchard grower session set for Mulberry Orchard

The University of Kentucky Horticulture Department will present a fruit grower orchard meeting on April 11 at Matt Gajdzik’s Mulberry Orchard.  

This program, is being put together by John Strang, UK Extension specialist in fruit and vegetable crops, tentatively will address a variety of diseases and pests. It would include specific sessions and then a roundtable discussion among growers, moderated by Jeremy Hinton.