With ongoing changes in markets, climate, and supply chains, farmers need strong tools and support now more than ever to remain resilient. The focus of work in horticulture over the next 10 years at the UKREC will primarily be in evaluating cultivars and production systems to increase crop diversity, labor savings, and farm income during traditionally off-season production times. 

Current and anticipated fruit projects will include comparing cane removal and fertilizer timing practices of erect thornless blackberry, apple rootstock evaluation as part of the NC-140 regional research project, Vitis x Muscadinia wide hybrid grape cultivar trial as part of an USDA NIFA SCRI CAP grant, investigating the use of Vaccinium arboreum as a rootstock for highbush blueberries to increase adaptation to mineral soils and drought tolerance. Vegetable projects will include overwinter and spring production and marketing of Brussels sprouts using an unheated high tunnel, demonstration of no-till vegetable production practices, and continuing evaluation of new cultivars. 

Much like the last 100 years, the future of horticulture in Kentucky, along with the rest of the United States, is one of further consolidation. Fewer commercial growers will exist, but their needs will be greater. It is anticipated that the demand for integrated technologies, ones which can closely monitor inputs, track plant performance, and anticipate outputs will increase and be considered essential tools for sustainable production. Along with fewer growers, there will be fewer workers. The use of complex machinery to assist in crop management will make these workers more productive and hopefully better compensated for their labor. Horticulture professionals will become increasingly knowledgeable and proficient in the application of field infrastructure and laboratory technologies. Marker-assisted breeding and computer programs to identify loci and alleles associated with resistance to fungal and viral pathogens will be commonplace along with genetic modification in university and corporate breeding work. Trials of higher density planting practices to increase efficient use of arable land, including potentially adaptive cultivars and microclimate modification techniques for resilience against climate challenges will continue to be a meaningful part of learning and contribute to outreach. In addition to field production, controlled environment horticulture will become essential to sustaining an increasing urban population.