Feature Friday! Kentucky Proud - Cappy's Incredible Caramel Corn

      With colder temperatures arriving in Kentucky on Halloween what better day to feature the delicious Kentucky Proud treat, Cappy's Incredible Caramel Corn, formerly located in Union, but now moved to their new location in Paris, Ky.

     Cappy's Incredible Caramel Corn is owned and operated by Brad and Margaret Wallace and their family. I purchased a bag of their "Signature" flavor caramel corn at one of Lexington's distinctive shops and loved the sweet, but light and fresh flavor. Its also very addictive!
     What makes this caramel corn so unique, and I think special, is that the original "Signature" flavor is a family recipe from Brad's aunt. For years Margaret made the caramel corn for family and community events and always received compliments and requests for the recipe, which she always kept to herself.
     In 2011, the Wallace's decided to take their product to the public, joining the Kentucky Proud program, and attending festivals, and events to sell their products. I personally don't know many people that don't like caramel corn so I was not surprised to learn that they sold out at every show and quickly began to get orders from businesses at many locations in the state. They use high quality ingredients and are looking at using Kentucky Proud popcorn for their products.
     Margaret worked to develop other flavors and they now have 7 distinctive flavors available year round and the addition of Peppermint during the Christmas season.  The seven flavors are Signature, Sweet & Salty, KY Bourbon, Cinnamon, Molasses, Kahlua, and Vanilla Bean. The caramel corn is offered in bags of two sizes and by the case.
     Margaret has developed other products that you may not find at their online store, but can be purchased at festivals or shows, or ordered if you call or email. How does Bourbon Caramel Sauce sound? Yes a great treat over ice cream or cake! They also have Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Caramel Sauce available. She also makes a wonderful brittle from the smaller caramel corn pieces and makes caramel apples during the Autumn apple season.
     With Christmas just around the corner, think of Cappy's Caramel Corn for a delicious Kentucky  Proud product to give to your family, friends, or business associates. Cappy's has gift basket options and can customize orders.
     Be sure to go to their website for more information on Cappy's Incredible Caramel Corn and look for them at Kentucky festivals including the Christmas Gift and Decor Show at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, December 12-14.  http://cappyscaramelcorn.com/

Cappy's Incredible Caramel Corn 859-384-0533.  They also have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cappys-Caramel-Corn-LLC/145675378836704



                               
   
     The Kentucky Proud program is a Kentucky Department of Agriculture promotional program for Kentucky products and producers. For more information on the program or other products go to http://www.kyproud.com/
     Follow my blog for more articles featuring Kentucky Proud producers and products!

The Beauty of an Autumn Sunrise in Kentucky

     It's a blessing to live in Kentucky and enjoy the beauty of God's work in each sunrise. I just wanted to share a few of the photographs I've taken this week.

 It's a cool 40 degree, foggy morning.

 I love this photograph with the lone cow grazing in the sunrise.

 God painted a beautiful sunrise on Tuesday, October 28.

I love the reflection of the sunrise in the western sky on Tuesday, October 28.

All Photographs property of Wanda Quiggins.

Youth Contests held at Hart County Farm Bureau

     It's that time of year when talented youth members of Kentucky Farm Bureau from across the state meet at their county office to compete in the Outstanding Youth Contest and the Variety Contest. Thursday evening, October 16 was that date for Hart County's contest and it was an enjoyable evening with a great group of contestants.

     The Outstanding Youth Contest is open to youth 15-19 years old whose parents are members of Kentucky Farm Bureau, and both a male and female division contest is held. The contest consists of a personal interview and each contestant presenting a two minute speech about Farm Bureau or agriculture.

     The Variety Contest is open to youth ages 6-19 whose parents are members of Kentucky Farm Bureau, and entries can be individuals or groups and be vocal, instrumental, dance, or drama.
     These contests are a great opportunity for youth to gain experience and confidence in public speaking or performing for an audience. Outstanding Youth Contest participants also learn about advocating for agriculture and see how important it is for the industry. 

     The winners of the Hart County contests go on to the district contest on November 3,  for the opportunity to represent the district at the state competition held during the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation state meeting, December 3-6, in Louisville. 

     There were four contestants in the Outstanding Youth Contest, Ellen Metcalfe, Tricia Childress, Zack Nichols, and Blake Quiggins.  Tricia Childress and Blake Quiggins were the winners and will represent Hart County Farm Bureau at the district contest.
 

The 4 contestants in the Outstanding Youth Contests are all members of the Hart County FFA Chapter and enjoyed talking and relaxing before the contest began. Pictured above, left to right, Ellen Metcalfe, Tricia Childress, Zack Nichols, and Blake Quiggins.

Tricia Childress and Blake Quiggins

    The Variety Contest was filled with great talent with both vocal and instrumental entries.The following were contestants:  Kaylee Childress, Jenna and Ava Logsdon, Candace Logsdon, and Tricia Childress. Tricia Childress won the Variety Contest and will advance to the district contest. Jenna and Ava Logsdon were second.
     Good luck to these youth representing Hart County at the district contest!
     

Kentucky Sites to Visit During National FFA Convention

     Next week is an exciting time for Kentucky residents as we welcome thousands of FFA members to the Bluegrass State for the 87th Annual National FFA Convention. Louisville is the final destination for convention goers and most members will travel by bus or van across Kentucky and have the opportunity to stop and visit with some of  the state's producers and agriculture businesses. I'm using this year's convention theme and asking Kentucky to "Go All Out" in welcoming this great organization to the state.

     There are many must-see places in and around Louisville that I'm sure many chapters will visit including the Kentucky landmark Churchill Downs. Live racing returns on October 26, perfect for group tours to visit the barns and get a behind-the-scenes look at the horse racing industry and see the amazing animals. http://www.churchilldowns.com/plan-your-visit  The Kentucky Derby Museum has a page dedicated to the FFA Convention and planning a visit. http://www.derbymuseum.org/ffa/

     I want to make a few suggestions for agriculture-related stops and give links and information making it easier for FFA chapters to plan and meet more of our producers and visit ag-businesses. Many of the nations agriculture teachers are way ahead of me and use their network of friends, colleagues, and fellow producers to plan stops along the way.

     The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is a great resource for planning your trip. Visit the following link for a wealth of information about Kentucky agriculture. http://www.kyagr.com/      The KDA also has an outstanding Agri-Tourism site called Kentucky Farms are Fun. You can search by region, according to your travel route, or by type of business such as orchards, horse farms, livestock, farmer's markets, etc. http://www.kentuckyfarmsarefun.com/  Kentucky Proud is a program sponsored by the KDA which promotes Kentucky grown or Kentucky made products. Look for this logo when making purchases.

     The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is an excellent choice for a fun and educational tour about the equine industry. The park is the world's only park dedicated to the horse and is home to the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event, a competition of dressage, cross-country, and jumping. Set in the heart of Thoroughbred country the park and museum highlights all areas and breeds of the equine industry. http://kyhorsepark.com/

     I'm including several of my favorite farm/orchard/farmer's market stops that are working farms with excellent products and unique features. My first is Chaney's Dairy Barn, just south of Bowling Green. Here you can get a tour of the farm and enjoy lunch or dinner and delicious homemade ice cream.

Food is always excellent and they have a large selection of Kentucky Proud products. http://www.chaneysdairybarn.com/index.html

   
     Hinton's Orchard and Farm Market, near Hodgenville, offers a full Kentucky Proud market featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables. A highlight of visiting this time of the year is a chance to conquer the corn maze. http://hintonsorchard.com/

     Kentucky is 8th in the nation in beef production and has the largest number of beef cattle of any state east of the Mississippi River. Visiting any of our purebred or commercial producers is only a phone call away. Contact the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association http://www.kycattle.org/ for help in locating beef producers along your travel route through Kentucky, or you can contact national breed association offices for suggestions.



     Now for some non-ag, unique to Kentucky destinations.

The Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, located just off I-65 is a great stop. What teenager doesn't like to look at sports cars? http://www.corvettemuseum.org/

     The Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville, one of the most popular museums in the state. Great to visit at any time but especially now during the World Series.  http://sluggermuseum.com/

     If you plan to stop at any locations and especially if you have a large group, call ahead so the business can be prepared and make your visit the best possible. Wishing all the FFA members safe travels and hoping your visit to Kentucky is great!!



   









 

Fall Scenery of The Farm & Community

 One of the largest tobacco barns in our area.

Close-up view of tobacco hanging in barn to cure.

 Beautiful fall scene of Cosby Methodist Church.

The afternoon sun over one of the ponds.

Canadian geese visiting the farm.

 I was able to get a little closer for this photograph.

I wish I'd had a larger zoom lens for a close-up of these beautiful birds. 

Photographs are property of Wanda Quiggins

Big Buffalo Crossing Barbeque Cook-Off

     I want to promote one of our local festivals featuring one of my favorite foods, BARBEQUE!!


     Make plans to attend the 5th Annual Big Buffalo Crossing Barbeque Cook-Off this weekend, October 17-18, in Munfordville, Kentucky. This Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned contest will feature over 30 barbeque teams from several states competing for $15,000 in prizes.This is a contest like you may have seen on the cable channel Food Network, where the teams cook ribs, pork, chicken, and brisket. You can watch the teams cook Friday night and Saturday morning as they prepare for the contest that begins at noon. There will also be a variety of food vendors and craft booths on site for shopping.

For more information, call 1-888-686-3673 or 270-524-4752 or go to the following link:
http://www.visitmunfordville.com/BBQ_Home.html

For more information about the Kansas City Barbeque Society follow this link: http://www.kcbs.us/

You can find more information about visiting Munfordville at http://www.visitmunfordville.com/Events.html

Photographs from Day 1 of KDA/KJCA Fall Classic

Grand Champion Prospect Market Animal, exhibited by Laurel Culp, Nicholasville, KY

Reserve Champion Prospect Market Animal,  exhibited by Taylor Hobbs, Hardin County

 3rd Overall Prospect Market, exhibited by Mallory Whitson, Russellville, Ky

4th Overall Prospect Market, exhibited by Zach Milam, Olmstead, KY

5th Overall Prospect Market, exhibited by Conner Jaggers, Magnolia, KY

Senior Division Showmanship 

One heat of Intermediate Showmanship 

Enjoying Junior Division Showmanship

 Conversation with the judge during Junior Division Showmanship

Junior Division Showmanship 

Judging Contest

Judging Contest

     The Fall Classic is a 2-day event for Kentucky youth exhibitors, filled with individual and team contests ranging from Sales Talk to Quiz Bowl and a beef show featuring classes for heifers, cow/calf, and bred and owned bulls. The weekend ended with an awards banquet recognizing the top participants in each age division.

     Photographs above feature activities from Day 1 of the Fall Classic.

Photographs are property of Wanda Quiggins

100 Years of Extension Celebrated at Hart County Cooperative Extension Service

   




  This week the Hart County Extension Office celebrated 100 Years of Extension locally with an afternoon reception highlighting the centennial anniversary of the signing of  the Smith-Lever Act while recognizing the local extension employees and services provided to the community. The Smith-Lever Act provided funding for outreach at the Land-Grant Universities founded by the Morrill Act of 1862. The act was introduced by Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia and Representative A.F. Lever of South Carolina to expand the vocational, agricultural, and home demonstration programs in rural America.
     * Specifically the Smith Lever-Act stated as its purpose, "In order to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on subjects related to agriculture, uses of solar energy with respect to agriculture, home economics and rural energy and to encourage application of the same, there may be continued or inaugurated in connection with the college or colleges in each state, territory or possession." The appropriation for Cooperative Extension as established by Smith-Lever was unique in that it set up a shared partnership among the federal, state, and county levels of government.*
     The cooperative extension service provides programs and information concerning family and consumer science, agriculture, and youth development through 4-H. Hart County has been blessed with a dedicated staff at the extension office, providing decades of support, information, and education to county residents. This is evident by the many homemaker club members, farmers, business owners, community leaders, and 4-H members present Tuesday at the reception.

Amber Huffman, Hart County Cooperative Extension Agent for Youth Development, welcomes guests to the reception, while Chris Clark, Hart County Cooperative Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, at right, waits to speak about the Smith-Lever Act.

Guests were asked to sign their name and write one word which described 'extension'.  Descriptive words included learning, helping, 4-H, development, leadership, friends, food, and education.

     The extension office is a source of information and programs covering topics such as exercise, health, canning, baking, quilting, sewing, gardening, pest control, crop production, beekeeping, weed identification, fencing, plus 4-H programs of leadership, public speaking, foods, livestock production, woodworking, community service, and equine science.....just to name a few.

Virginia Davis, Director of Hart County Chamber of Commerce (2nd from left) presented a certificate of appreciation to the staff of the Hart County Cooperative Extension Service. Pictured above: Lisa Vierstra - Office Support Staff, Virginia Davis, Chris Clark - County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resource, Amber Huffman, Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Betsy Ann Tracy - Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, and Lisa Pritchard - 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant.

Amber Huffman, Hart County Agent for 4-H Youth Development with 4-H members Blake Quiggins, Carson Seymour, and Wade Scott.

     Three generations of my family have enjoyed the programs offered through the extension office, specifically 4-H. My mother was very active in her 4-H Club, serving as an officer and completing many sewing and cooking projects. I was also a Hart County 4-H member, and I enjoyed years of cooking and beef cattle projects, and participating with the club in many variety show productions. My two children gained positive experience in public speaking, leadership, livestock judging, and livestock production. As an added bonus we have formed lifetime friendships with wonderful people.
     The extension office is a resource that many people use weekly, however, it is still an unknown resource for some residents because they just don't realize the information and services available. Take the time to visit your local extension office.
   
 For more information about the Hart County office or programs available contact staff members as listed below at 270-524-2451 or  visit the following link: http://hart.ca.uky.edu/

Staff Directory

Lisa D. Vierstra		lisa.vierstra@uky.edu		County Extension Office Support Staff
Christopher L Clark		clclark@uky.edu		County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Felicia L. Davenport		felicia.davenport@uky.edu		SNAP Program Assistant
Lisa M Pritchard		lisa.pritchard@uky.edu		4-H Youth Development Program Assistant
Amber B. Huffman		lbranste@uky.edu		County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development
Betsy Ann Tracy		betsy.tracy@uky.edu		County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences

 *   This information from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service  

Photographs property of Wanda Quiggins