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                "embedded_text": "Something in the\nWAT E R\nKentucky S tate helps farmers with clean w a ter, safe produce"
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            "id": "p12.2",
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            "type": "title",
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            "text": "Something in the\nWATER\nKentucky State helps farmers with clean water, safe pro",
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        {
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            "bbox": {
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            "text": "B y offering water quality testing,\nKentucky State University is helping Kentucky small farmers ensure their products are safe.\nhis team found that about 17 to 20% of water samples were “substantially contaminated and stayed contaminated for a big chunk of time.”"
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.4",
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            "text": "The project is headed by Dr. Avinash Topè of Kentucky State University, in partnership with the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Organic Association of Kentucky, Appalachian Groundswell, and other local associations. The grant, titled, “Helping Small-scale and Socially Disadvantaged Growers in Improving Water Quality to Ensure Food Safety of Produce for Consumers and Increased Sales,” received nearly $350,000 in funding from the USDA in 2021."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.5",
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            "text": "This project originated with a 2014-17 Evans-Allen research project that focused on microbial quality of fruits and vegetables. The research team tested water quality, since many foodborne illnesses in produce are connected to the water used. Then the Horticulture Council funded further research, specifically about water. Dr. Topè and his team found that about 17 to 20% of water samples were “substantially contaminated and stayed contaminated for a big chunk of time.”"
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.6",
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            "text": "This project was relevant to the Food Safety Modernization Act, passed in 2011, which required farmers who sell more than $25,000 per year to meet certain regulations, including water regulations."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.7",
            "order": 7,
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            "text": "“With Kentucky being a small farmers state, a big chunk of our farmers are exempt,” Dr. Topè said. “Yet they would like to make sure that what they put out in the market is safe. They also wanted to be in the game, follow what the big farmers do follow, and be safe.”"
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.8",
            "order": 8,
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            "bbox": {
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            "text": "Dr. Topè and others were hearing that small farmers wanted to hold their water to a high standard, but they needed help."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.9",
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            "bbox": {
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            "text": "“That’s where we stepped in,” Dr. Topè said."
        },
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            "id": "p12.10",
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            "text": "Kentucky State University has now\nestablished or is in the process of\nestablishing water quality testing labs\nacross the state: on Kentucky State's\ncampus in Frankfort; in Whitesburg; in\nHodgenville; and in Bowling Green."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.11",
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            "text": "establishing water quality testing labs across the state: on Kentucky State’s campus in Frankfort; in Whitesburg; in Hodgenville; and in Bowling Green."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.12",
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            "text": "works with several organizations to “grow a stronger, healthier community with food and agriculture at the core.” surrounding counties. One question asked if farmers had tested their water since the July 2022 flood. About 96% or gardener down, but information and knowledge can be power and allow people to make informed choices.”"
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.13",
            "order": 13,
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            "text": "surrounding counties. One question asked if farmers had tested their water since the July 2022 flood. About 96% said no. Horn plans to invite these farmers to utilize Kentucky State's water quality testing lab."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.14",
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            "text": "Dr. Topè connected with Horn via Kentucky State employee Joni Nelson, who already had connections in the Whitesburg area through the Small-Scale Farm Grant Program."
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            "text": "Timothy Lane Breeding of Rocket Farm\nin Jeremiah, Kentucky, has already\nutilized the water quality testing lab in\nWhitesburg."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.16",
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            "text": "At no cost to them, farmers can visit one of these labs and pick up the necessary equipment to gather a water sample from their farm, then return the sample to the lab to be tested. A Kentucky State employee or partner will then call the farmer with their results."
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            "text": "“We’re ready and set for spring this year after testing,” Breeding said."
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            "text": "“I think that we have a strong community base here of farmers that are well connected, can be in touch with them easily, share resources, share information— so it felt like a good fit there,” Horn said. “So when he reached out, we were happy to volunteer to be a partner on that grant.”"
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            "text": "Rocket Farm typically grows potatoes, beans, corn, Brussels sprouts, peppers, and other produce. Due to the flooding, some of the water has higher contamination, so not all produce can be grown this year, but Breeding said the farm is set for flowers and herbs."
        },
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            "text": "Results can fluctuate from sample to sample, and the threshold for contaminants’ presence, such as E. coli, in water is high, so one less-than-ideal result is not alarming."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.22",
            "order": 22,
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            "text": "The cost of water quality testing varies;\nHorn estimated it would be an expense\nof about $100 for most farmers in the\narea."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.23",
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            "text": "“We don’t expect the reports to be satisfactory in the first place,” Dr. Topè said. “If the farmer gets too bad a report on two or three consistent reports, then we get back to the farmer asking if they would like us to help.”"
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.24",
            "order": 24,
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            "text": "Breeding said having the water quality testing lab is “very, very, very beneficial not just for our farm, but for all the farmers in the community.”"
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.25",
            "order": 25,
            "type": "text",
            "bbox": {
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            "text": "“Although in the scale of things that’s a small cost to ensure the water quality, it can also be significant when you’re making hard choices,” Horn said."
        },
        {
            "id": "p12.26",
            "order": 26,
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            "text": "For information about Kentucky State’s water quality testing labs across Kentucky, contact Dr. Avinash Topè at avinash.tope@kysu.edu."
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            "text": "In Whitesburg, the water quality lab is located in the basement of an old post office on Main Street; it's run with the help of resident Valerie Ison Horn, who it can also be significant when you're making hard choices,\" Horn said. \"They can grow with certainty, they can make adjustments as needed based on [results],\" Horn said. \"We never want this to be a situation that shuts a farmer"
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            "text": "Horn recently helped conduct a survey of about 200 farmers in Letcher and surrounding counties. One question asked if farmers had tested their water since the July 2022 flood. About 96% said no. Horn plans to invite these farmers to utilize Kentucky State's water quality testing lab."
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            "text": "Photos by Jonathan Palmer",
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