This spring-themed episode opens with the crew swapping stories about wild temperature swings, allergy struggles, ornamental pears, and a “secret bucket of crystallized honey” before welcoming guest Nathan Howell of Need More Acres Farm and the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association.

Nathan shares the story of his family’s highly intensive, small-acreage, year-round produce farm and how high tunnels, row covers, and protected culture allow them to grow vegetables 12 months a year in Kentucky. What sounds “small” in row-crop terms is actually incredibly productive in horticulture, with multiple crops moving through the same ground in a single year.

The conversation shifts into marketing strategies for small farms—from farmers markets and restaurants to schools, health departments, and medically tailored food boxes that support both their farm and dozens of other local producers.

Nathan then dives into his leadership role with the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association (est. 1970) and how this farmer-led, volunteer organization focuses on education, advocacy, and networking for growers of all sizes—from backyard gardeners to commercial producers. The group co-hosts the long-standing Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference, known for its highly targeted, practical programming and uniquely broad age and experience range among attendees.

A major highlight of the episode is real-world advocacy in action. Nathan explains how the association recently worked with partners like the Kentucky Horticulture Council to successfully push for restoration of cost-share funding levels through the County Ag Improvement Program (CAIP), protecting crucial support for small and beginning vegetable growers. They are also currently working with Kentucky Farm Bureau and state legislators to correct a sales tax issue affecting greenhouse and high tunnel materials used in protected agriculture.

The episode closes with discussion of unexpected member benefits of the association—from advocacy and conference access to life assistance resources and insurance perks—all for a very low annual membership cost.

This episode is a powerful look at how grassroots grower organizations, practical education, and producer voices working together continue to shape the future of vegetable production in Kentucky.

Need More Acres Farm

Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association

Kentucky Horticulture Council

Farm Service Agency-Kentucky

KENTUCKY OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY

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