The Kentucky State University will receive $463,161.50 through September 2024 to improve water quality and increase marketing opportunities for small-scale and socially disadvantaged produce growers under a Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program project grant from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. Many growers in Kentucky use surface water sources for irrigation that can lead to pathogenic E. coli contamination of produce. Through this funding, Kentucky State University will help growers reduce risks to public health by improving water quality and expanding direct marketing to consumers. The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program supports the development and expansion of local and regional food systems through competitive grants, consistent with the goals of increasing domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products.