The University of Kentucky Cut Flower Extension Program, with support from the Kentucky Horticulture Council, completed a series of four train-the-trainer workshops in November designed to equip UK Extension agents with the knowledge and tools to support Kentucky's booming cut flower industry.
Seventy-eight agents and technical support staff from across the state listened to several in-depth sessions designed to help farmers understand the economics, marketing techniques and production of cut flowers. Participants also constructed drip irrigation models so their new skills may be shared with flower growers in their home counties.
© Jennifer ElwellKentucky Horticulture Council grower outreach coordinator Dakota Moore helps Allison Keeton, Fayette County 4-H Youth Development Agent, (left) and Naomi Howell, Jessamine County Horticulture Agent, (right), with their irrigation models during the workshop
According to Savannah Columbia, Extension associate in the Department of Agricultural Economics and the Center for Crop Diversification at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Extension team developed the workshop series in response to agent requests.
"The growth in specialty cut flower farming operations has more than doubled in the last five years," Columbia said. "We want to train agents and provide them with the tools they need to work with the growing number of producers interested in cut flower production."
Cindy Finneseth, assistant Extension professor in the Department of Horticulture at Martin-Gatton CAFE, said the 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 233 Kentucky cut flower farms earning more than $2.2 million in sales.
"There are a lot of farmers considering this niche market," said Finneseth, "as cut flowers and cut stems are well-suited to small-scale production and are a good way to launch a business or expand an existing farm operation."
Beth Wilson, Extension agent for horticulture in Pulaski County, said she hosted and attended the training to serve her farmers interested in cut flowers.
© Savannah Columbia
"I've got a really strong vegetable, fruit tree and turf background, but I knew nothing about cut flowers," Wilson said. "It's a growing industry, and I want to make sure that we provide the right resources for these growers who are popping up out of the woodwork."
Providing feedback in a post-workshop evaluation, another agent said, "The drip irrigation activity was fantastic and helped me conquer fears of something I have never been able to quite comprehend."
Columbia and Finneseth agreed that the success of these workshops reflects the Extension team's commitment to meeting emerging agricultural needs.
Additional resources for cut flower production and marketing can be found on the Center for Crop Diversification website at https://ccd.uky.edu/resources/crops/cut-flowers and on the Kentucky Horticulture Council website at https://kyhortcouncil.org/ky-cut-flower-grower-resources/
The Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Bowling Green will also feature a cut flower short course on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
Source: University of Kentucky
