LOUISVILLE — Producers from Garrard, Lawrence, and Mercer counties were announced as this year’s crop of Kentucky Local Food Heroes today at the Kentucky State Fair.
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer honored Tyler Greene of Sunwatch Homestead in Garrard County, Jared Goforth of Fluty Lick Farms in Lawrence County, and Sherman Fracher of Abiding Grace Farm Artisan Foods in Mercer County. They were selected as the 2016 Local Food Heroes in electronic voting conducted by Seed Capital KY.
“The Local Food Heroes are selected by friends, neighbors, customers, associates, and others who know these individuals and value their work,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Congratulations to Tyler, Jared, and Sherman on this special honor.”
“Anyone who’s eaten a red, ripe Kentucky tomato, a farm-fresh egg or homemade pepper relish knows the beauty and value of locally produced food,” Mayor Fischer said. “This award is meant to underscore that truth, and is a way for us to say ‘thank you’ to the people who grow our food. I’m thrilled to help honor these farmers as ‘Food Heroes.’”
Sunwatch Homestead is home to a variety of pastured animals and naturally grown fruits and vegetables. Fluty Lick Farms raises and sell vegetables, poultry, eggs, fresh honey, pigs, and more. Abiding Grace Farm Artisan Foods produces artisan pickles, dilly beans, hot pepper relish, and pickled shallots, and processes them in a commercial kitchen in Harrodsburg.
The Local Food Heroes Awards are a partnership of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Louisville Metro Government, and Seed Capital KY, with the sponsorship of Farm Credit Mid-America. For more information, including past winners, go to seedcapitalky.org/supporting-farmers/local-food-hero-award/.