Interview with Betty Cornett, December 28, 2016

Interview Summary

Betty Cornett discusses growing up in Dewitt, Kentucky, at Mill Branch. She was one of 11 children and her family did not have electricity nor running water. Her father was injured in the coal mines and also logged. They farmed, sharecropped, and sold produce in Pineville. Betty tells of going to school and marrying David Cornett after high school. She tells of the different occupations they have had and buying the historic farm at McNeil?s Crossing where they have re-enactments and living history demonstrations. Betty remembers the different produce and livestock they had growing up, plowing with a mule, canning, cooking, sewing, digging for roots, and hunting small game. Betty tells of how agriculture has changed and talks about the Grow Appalachia program and Knox County Farmers? Market. Betty tells about Peggy Kemner, Irma Gall, Karen Johnson, and her experiences with the Lend-A-Hand Center. Betty talks about what it was like to grow up on Stinking Creek, the community?s reputation, issues in the community, the Stinking Creek book, and the future of the community.

Interview Keyword

Lend-A-Hand Center Stinking Creek (Ky.) Gardening Peggy Kemner Irma Gall Karen Johnson Grow Appalachia Knox County Farmers' Market Rural schools--Kentucky Employment--Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Agriculture Childhood Subsistence farming Traditional farming Farm life. Families. Rural children Rural conditions Country life Land use, Rural. Family farms. Canning and preserving Food--Preservation--Kentucky Communities. Community development Community organization.

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Interview Usage

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