The Ky Ag Department’s “Farm to Fork” program is now open and can help local communities with cost share funds to utilize locally grown foods to put on charitable events.  Farm to Fork coordinator, Alisha Morris, says up to $500 is available for qualifying events and that applications are being taken now, through this November.

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While CBOT futures traded higher overnight, markets sold off in the day session to close steady to mostly lower.  Cattle futures closed mostly higher with the nearby June LC contract trading up the daily $3.00 limit much of the day and closed pennies off the limit.  Lean Hog futures rallied on a stronger cash hog market and higher pork values.

Led by the KC wheat market, CBOT futures pushed sharply higher with gains magnified by heavy short-covering by the speculative crowd. The buying was spurred by weekend weather that ranged from heavy flooding to heavy snow and freezing temperatures.  Cattle futures closed mostly lower after opening higher at 830 am. However, cattle traders turned sellers when they saw the sustained rally in corn futures.

CBOT futures closed steady to higher with wheat performing the best.  Live and Feeder cattle futures closed up the daily limits, so tomorrow the daily limits will be $4.50 in LC and $6.75 in FC.  Futures soared on a stronger cash cattle market and additional buying spurred on by technical considerations.

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This summer, Farm Bureau’s Roadside Market tour will be headed to roadside operations in Ohio and Pennsylvania.  Roadside program coordinator, Fran McCall, says the tour is quite popular among Kentucky roadside retailers who say if they can pick up just one new idea, that will pay for the cost of the trip many times over.    

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A feature with Churchill Downs Executive Chef, Dave Danielson, who in seven years at the track has seen tremendous growth in its use of Kentucky Proud and locally grown produce and value added products. He says there are more products out there, farmers and distributors are making connections for sales, and the track is working hard to buy even more local products.  

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Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual regional teacher workshops are coming up in seven locations across the state this June.  The organization’s Scott Christmas says the presentation provides free, professional development credits for teachers. Speaking to the events popularity he says they’re expecting some 400 educators to take advantage.

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