Building Local Food Networks with Brandi Button Johnson
In this episode of Hort Culture, hosts Alexis, Ray, Brett, and Jessica sit down with Brandi Button Johnson, the Western Kentucky Value Chain Coordinator at The Food Connection (University of Kentucky).
The conversation kicks off with a humorous and comforting debate over favorite bean recipes, local comfort foods, and nostalgic kitchen memories. From there, Brandi shares her inspiring journey from growing up on a Barren County tobacco farm and directing a grassroots nonprofit to stepping into her current regional role.
Tune in as Brandi breaks down what a value chain coordinator actually does—navigating complex geographic landscapes, bridging the gap between local growers and institutional buyers like school systems, and building the "soft infrastructure" of trust and communication. The team also explores the vital importance of market diversification, mitigating agricultural risk, and why curiosity is the ultimate tool for overcoming skepticism in the farming community.
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What specific aspect of Brandi's work with Kentucky farm-to-school programs would you like to highlight or discuss further?
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