About the Kentucky Horticulture Academy
Our Mission
To help Kentucky's specialty-crop growers learn any time, any place—and turn that learning into better crops, safer food, and stronger farm businesses.
We translate trusted, Kentucky-specific expertise into practical training you can use this week: short video lessons, live Q&A, field days, and hands-on support from people who actually grow what you grow.
Why We Built the Academy
Kentucky growers told us the biggest barriers to training were time, distance, and finding information that actually applies here. The Academy solves those challenges with on-demand courses, live sessions you can fit around chores and markets, and direct technical assistance when you need it most.
Thanks to support from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, we create free or low-cost courses and track their impact so we keep improving.
Partners and Support
The Kentucky Horticulture Academy is a project of the Kentucky Horticulture Council, built in collaboration with Kentucky growers, professional associations, and university partners. Learn more about our member organizations, cost-share programs, and advocacy efforts at kyhortcouncil.org.
Our Learning Model
On-Demand Learning
Watch short, focused video lessons whenever it works for your schedule—before morning chores, during lunch breaks, or after evening markets. Each module tackles one specific skill or concept you can immediately put to work on your farm. No fluff, just actionable steps from Kentucky growers and Extension specialists who know what actually works here.
Live Support
Join optional Q&A sessions, field days, and farm walks throughout the growing season. Get real-time answers to your questions, see techniques demonstrated in actual field conditions, and connect with other Kentucky growers facing similar challenges. Live sessions are recorded so you can catch up later if you miss them.
Direct Technical Assistance
Sometimes you need more than a video. Request one-on-one help to troubleshoot specific problems, review your production plans, or get feedback on implementing new practices. Our team connects you with the right expertise—whether that's a university specialist, experienced grower, or industry professional who can provide targeted guidance for your operation.