CCD-CP-53: Ginseng

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | September 1, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Ginseng is a perennial herb that has been used for medicinal purposes in China and other Asian countries for centuries. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is native to the rich hardwood forests of Canada and the eastern half of the United States, including Kentucky. Today Kentucky leads the nation in wild ginseng production. While wild American ginseng is not yet considered endangered, it is protected by federal and state laws. Because ginseng regulations are subject to change, the State Ginseng Coordinator in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) should be contacted for the latest laws and restrictions. Additionally, laws will vary from state to state; the information in this profile is pertinent to Kentucky only.

CCD-CP-81: Maple Syrup

Christy Cassady, Matthew Ernst | August 17, 2016 (New)

Maple syrup is made by processing (boiling) tree sap. Sap may be processed from all maple tree species; the highest sugar content usually occurs in sugar maple and black maple sap. Maple sugaring may occur wherever late winter temperatures permit sap collection, ideally when nighttimes are below freezing and daytime highs do not exceed 45F. Kentucky is among the southernmost states for commercial maple syrup production.

CCD-CP-109: Organic Lettuce and Leafy Greens

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | August 5, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Leafy greens and lettuce, which are among the most popular fresh market vegetables grown commercially in Kentucky, have excellent potential for organic production. Organic crops are produced using integrated pest management and fertilization methods that do not include synthetic compounds. Growers producing and selling lettuce and greens with an organic label must be certified by a USDA-approved state agency (e.g. the Kentucky Department of Agriculture) or private agency, plus follow production standards regulated by the National Organic Program (NOP).

CCD-CP-66: Chinese Chestnuts

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | July 18, 2016 (Minor Revision)

American chestnuts (Castanea dentata), once prominent in the eastern U.S. landscape, all but disappeared in the mid-1900s when chestnut blight eradicated nearly all of these popular trees. Blight resistant varieties of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) are a viable alternative for commercial chestnut production.

CCD-BG-7: Table Grapes, Kentucky, 2016

Matthew Ernst, Steve Isaacs, Patsy Wilson, Tim Woods | July 15, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Budget worksheet.

CCD-BG-8: Wine Grapes, Kentucky, 2016: French-American Hybrid and American Varieties

Matthew Ernst, Patsy Wilson, Tim Woods | July 15, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Budget worksheet.

CCD-BG-6: 2016 Kentucky Grape Costs and Returns: Budget Summaries and Assumptions

Matthew Ernst, Patsy Wilson, Tim Woods | July 15, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Production budgets for American, hybrid, European (vinifera), and table grape varieties were updated to estimate grape profitability in Kentucky for 2016. This analysis indicates that wine grapes can be economically feasible in Kentucky when best production practices are followed that maximize yields and when market prices approach $1,200/ton for vinifera wine grapes and $1,000 per ton for French-American and American hybrid wine grape varieties. Sound management that maximizes wine grape yields and minimizes input costs, with marketing that captures top grape prices, is absolutely necessary for economically viable wholesale grape production in Kentucky.

CCD-BG-9: Wine Grapes, Kentucky, 2016: Vinifera

Matthew Ernst, Patsy Wilson, Tim Woods | July 15, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Budget worksheet.

CCD-MP-10: Kentucky MarketMaker

Matthew Ernst | July 11, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Kentucky MarketMaker is a web-based marketing aid adapted for Kentucky markets. The primary purpose of this resource is to provide a link between agricultural producers and potential buyers of food products. In addition to a searchable database of markets and growers, MarketMaker also contains a wealth of demographic and business data which can be summarized in a map-based format.

CCD-CP-17: Plums

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | July 5, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Plums, like peaches, are stone fruits and in the Rose family. These two crops have similar cultural requirements, as well as similar disease and pest concerns. Plums are also sensitive to late spring frosts, which can result in crop losses in Kentucky. Depending on the type and cultivar, plums can be consumed fresh, canned, frozen, processed in jams and jellies, and dried.