Technical Assistance for Kentucky Farmers through the EKY-DIGS Program

In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, we launched the Eastern KY Direct Integrated Grower Support Program (EKY-DIGS). We work with Kentucky farmers to develop production plans, ensuring they have all the tools they need to produce for market. This free technical support is available to small farmers in eastern Kentucky.

What we can offer:

  • Free soil tests

  • On-farm consultation with a production advisor

  • An individualized production plan to address your farm’s needs

  • Connection to other agencies offering vital financial, business and agricultural support to farmers

  • Networking with other farmers

  • Ongoing technical support with our production advisors

  • Field days and workshops for on-farm learning

apply now

This program is sponsored by the

Looking for Production Planning Assistance?

Fill out the contact form below. Please keep in mind that we currently can only work with producers in southeast Kentucky.

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Farmer Testimonials

Our work is fueled by our relationships with farmers. Read more about how we’ve supported them below!

“With the help of Grow Appalachia, who personally directed us on who to talk to to be able to grow (Feeding Kentucky, USDA, Farm To Table, and the Food Connection), we gained the ability to grow to a 60 duck farm with a high tunnel, garden, and mini orchard. Now, Jingleheim Ranch & Gardens is growing again as we establish a Sourdough Bakery in a food distressed area of Kentucky (with the help of the Department of Agriculture). We are a multi-county business whose goal is to bring quality food back to Appalachia. Without the help that we’ve received we would not be where we’re at today.”

Joy Price

“Storey Slone, with Grow Appalachia, has been extremely helpful to us on Thunder Ridge Ranch. She helped us navigate the high tunnel process and was incredibly helpful, despite the fact we had to temporarily postpone the high tunnel construction. She’s helped us navigate this setback, by ensuring we still move forward with the garden production. She’s tested our soil and helped us understand exactly what we need to do to improve our soil and increase yields for coming seasons. Without the instrumental help from Grow Appalachia, our farm wouldn’t be the success it continues to be today.”

Sven & Janeia Pacot

Farmer Profiles

Learn more about farmers we’ve worked with over the years.

Susan Miller is a 3rd generation farmer from Wayne County, Kentucky, who now owns a 4 acre farm in Lincoln County alongside her husband, George. Susan produces fruit and vegetables she sells to the community at farmers markets, and through her curated “nutrition boxes”, as well as honey from her bees. Grow Appalachia worked with the Millers to trial new production practices in their hoop houses and fruit crops, using loaded twine trellising hooks for vertical growing in her hoop houses and Pro Tek insect netting for higher crop yields.

Susan Miller

Kristi and her family own an old tobacco farm in Greenup County where they produce cut flowers, herbs, and vegetables for her signature value added products. Grow Appalachia has been helping Kristi improve the soil health in her high tunnel where she is choosing to use to-till methods to steward her land’s resources. We have also assisted her with efficient weed control and irrigation strategies to help save labor and reduce costs.

Kristi Ruggles

Missy Fields operates on a 5-acre farm in Pulaski County. Missy specializes in tomatoes, heirloom beans, pumpkins, and gourds. After working with Grow Appalachia Missy plans to expand her farm product options to include value added products and secure her microprocessor certification for the coming season. To help her navigate challenges with drought, we provided her with irrigation supplies and installation assistance.

Missy Fields

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