Next week the UK College of Ag Emergency Management Systems group will be hosting a virtual natural disaster exercise with similar groups from across the country.  They’ll be developing procedures and systems to better coordinate the handling of animals and livestock during natural disasters.  Andrea Higdon in UK emergency management says the exercises will take place July 11-12 and again July 13-14.       

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Buying, processing and successfully marketing “seconds” from Bluegrass area produce farmers; that’s the goal of Food Chain Lex according to Executive Director, Becca Self.  They’ve just procured an ag development grant for a blast freezer to add to their current operation in Lexington with a plan to start buying that produce this fall.

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From greening up the front yard to protecting our pollinators the UK Turfgrass Field Day, at their Spindletop Research Farm on July 13, is reaching out to home owners. UK’s Gregg Munshaw says the event is important for professionals to keep up with required educational credits but is also these days drawing a larger number of home owners each year. 

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The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office was recently awarded a sizeable grant for marketing and education purposes.  Industry leader, Sarabeth Parido says that they are planning to develop a Kentucky Fiber Trail to connect end users, crafters, and fiber processors to tell the story of and build demand for natural fiber products.

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As we celebrate Independence Day weekend, many of us will be headed to the backyard grill.  Kiah Twisselman with the Ky Beef Council says that burgers are still king for the grill, but she says some very inexpensive options like flank stead are readily available too.  For cooking tips and recipes go to: kybeef.com.

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Kentucky brewers, Kentucky Proud producers, and Kentucky State University (KSU) will produce craft beers infused with locally grown ingredients that will be released this fall.

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles reminds motorists to watch for signs of tampering on motor fuel pumps as credit card thieves gear up for the Fourth of July and the traffic-heavy summer travel season.

A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly less this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.