Pulaski County
Farm Profiles
Lone Cedar Dairy
Patrick and Paula Patterson are first-generation dairy farmers in Pulaski County. Patrick always knew he wanted to be a dairy farmer, and as a child, he would draw sketches of dairy barns. He began farming in 1998 after purchasing his farm. He grew tobacco and raised beef cows until he was able to start the dairy farm in 2010. Patrick milks 78 cows and raises pasture and feed crops. He sells milk to Prairie Farms.
Patrick and Paula have three children: Jacob (20), who is a junior at the University of Kentucky studying agricultural economics; Jared (17), who is a high school senior and active member of the FFA; and Julie (12). They feel blessed to have the opportunity to raise their children on a family farm. Farm life teaches many life lessons that they are grateful their children have experienced; all three children help out on the farm: Jacob helps with the hay crops, Jared does the evening milking, and Julie helps with feeding the calves.
Paula is a teacher at Nancy Elementary, and Patrick also works part-time off the farm and is pastor at Union Baptist Church in Russell County.
Source: Eunice Schlappi, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Haney’s Appledale Farm
Located in the small community of Nancy, Haney's Appledale Farm has become a staple of South-Central Kentucky. Whether it be a family's tradition of going into the orchards to pick their favorite apples or just someone enjoying warm apple pie, many from all over have rich memories of Haney's farm. The actual establishment of Haney's dates back to the early 1870s. Since then, this once small roadside fruit stand has evolved into a staple of fresh fruit for people of the Lake Cumberland Region. Noted by the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce as Pulaski County's oldest business in continuous operation, the farm has been passed down through five generations, the latest owners being Don and Mark Haney.
Woodstock Lavender Co.
Woodstock Lavender Co. is a family-operated lavender farm located in Somerset, KY, owned by Allison Horseman and her mother, Mary Ann May. The business offers handcrafted and natural lavender products in several forms: culinary, bath and body, and home goods. The farm also hosts a variety of events during their open season, starting on Memorial Day and ending at the end of June.
While the lavender farm was started in 2013, the family has deep roots in the land dating back four generations. During the Great Depression, Allison’s grandfather managed to maintain the family farm by sending money home from his work in Detroit. The farm started with 50 lavender plants and a lot of trial and error in order to figure out the best practices for growing lavender in Kentucky.
“I like to describe it as a hobby that got out of control,” Allison said.
She mentions that they managed to turn their hobby into a business by working with KCARD, and they aren’t done growing yet. Woodstock Lavender Co. has recently started Kentucky’s first culinary lavender monthly subscription box: The Purple Spoon. These unique offerings have a wide reach, with their Kentucky products being shipped as far as Virginia, North Carolina, and even Hawaii.
Credit: KCARD Client Spotlight
NEWS: Pulaski County Women Making a Difference Through Agriculture
Ping Dairy
Ping Dairy was started in 2001 by Adam Ping, who always wanted to be a dairy farmer. He would sneak from home at a young age to help his uncle milk the cows. Later in high school, he was a hired milk hand for two dairy farmers. Adam currently milks 65 cows and grows corn, soybeans, and hay.
Adam is married to Angela, and they have two daughters, Haley and Brooklyn. Angela is an elementary education teacher and helps with milking and raising calves. The children share in helping by milking and feeding the calves.
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