Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
For 25 years, the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification has helped Kentucky farmers and entrepreneurs learn, grow and profit. As part of the UK Cooperative Extension Service, the CCD provides trusted resources, hands-on training and community support that strengthen local food systems across the Commonwealth. The team delivers price reports, marketing tools and specialty crop research that help producers make informed decisions and build resilient operations.
In this video, hear how programs like Marketing for All, CSA Support, enterprise budgets and the SERA-45 regional collaboration are empowering growers. Learn how the CCD team works side-by-side with communities, Extension agents and partners to meet Kentucky’s needs and support small businesses. The weekly Hort Culture podcast, the undergraduate fellowship program and new field days continue to expand opportunities for growers.
The CCD’s commitment to accessible information and collaborative innovation has made it a trusted hub for producers for more than two decades. As Alexis Sheffield, Brett Wolff and Extension agents across Kentucky note, this work is improving operations, strengthening connections and supporting the future of specialty crops.
Contact:
Alexis Sheffield, alexis.sheffield@uky.edu
Brett Wolff, brett.wolff@uky.edu
Media Requests:
C.E. Huffman, ce.huffman@uky.edu
Story by Christopher Carney
https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/uk-center-crop-diversification-celebrates-25-years-helping-farmers-small-businesses-thrive
Follow-up contact: Christopher.Carney@uky.edu
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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Reasonable accommodation of disability may be available with prior notice. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating.
For 25 years, the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification has helped Kentucky farmers and entrepreneurs learn, grow and profit. As part of the UK Cooperative Extension Service, the CCD provides trusted resources, hands-on training and community support that strengthen local food systems across the Commonwealth. The team delivers price reports, marketing tools and specialty crop research that help producers make informed decisions and build resilient operations.
In this video, hear how programs like Marketing for All, CSA Support, enterprise budgets and the SERA-45 regional collaboration are empowering growers. Learn how the CCD team works side-by-side with communities, Extension agents and partners to meet Kentucky’s needs and support small businesses. The weekly Hort Culture podcast, the undergraduate fellowship program and new field days continue to expand opportunities for growers.
The CCD’s commitment to accessible information and collaborative innovation has made it a trusted hub for producers for more than two decades. As Alexis Sheffield, Brett Wolff and Extension agents across Kentucky note, this work is improving operations, strengthening connections and supporting the future of specialty crops.
Contact:
Alexis Sheffield, alexis.sheffield@uky.edu
Brett Wolff, brett.wolff@uky.edu
Media Requests:
C.E. Huffman, ce.huffman@uky.edu
Story by Christopher Carney
https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/uk-center-crop-diversification-celebrates-25-years-helping-farmers-small-businesses-thrive
Follow-up contact: Christopher.Carney@uky.edu
-----
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Reasonable accommodation of disability may be available with prior notice. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating.
