Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Riverside, the Farnsley Moreman Landing, Louisville Metro Parks and Metro Councilwoman Cindi Fowler to co-host the second annual Family Farm & Forage Field Day on June 16, 2018. The goal is to highlight the importance of agriculture in a major city. Presenters from the University of Kentucky Extension, Kentucky State University Extension, and local non-profits related to agriculture rotated throughout the day at pre-deter
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Since the inception of KY House Bill 1, tobacco settlement funds have allowed agriculture producers, community groups and other organizations to sustain and expand existing operations as well as create opportunities for new agriculture related projects. Improvements in farming operations can be observed while traveling through the countryside. From permanent infrastructure to improved genetics and all areas in between, agriculture development funds have made a positive impact o
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
A field day was hosted by the Elliott County Agriculture Council and Cooperative Extension Agent for ANR Keith Center, at the Elliott County High School on October 6, 2018. Topics included: Fencing and On-Farm Water, Forage Improvement, Forage and Grain Improvement, Farm Infrastructure Grain Bins, and Tech and Leadership Farm Safety.Concluding the field day, was the Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) Certification training videos and exams where 42 producers attended and completed the traini
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture is a critical aspect of Magoffin County’s rural economy, as crops and livestock are vital sources of income for local farm families. Burley tobacco accounted for nearly 75% of the county’s farm income prior to the ending of the price support system and the buyout. The tobacco buyout, though economically devastating for some farmers, fostered the development of legislation designed to aid farmers in transitioning from tobacco production to other farm enterprises. The legis
Author: Will Stallard
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The average age of farmers in Kentucky is 57.6 years of age according to USDA 2012 Census. By working with our Lincoln County Extension Council, Lincoln County Farm Bureau and Lincoln County Cattlemen’s Association we see a need of getting young farmers involved not only in agriculture, but in agriculture groups with leadership roles. We developed a young farmer committee that organized a “Young Farmer Outing” that focused on the family. We offered a meal, ice cream, games and
Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Funding resources for farmers are often crucial to starting a new farm business and even sustaining an existing one. The Woodford County Extension Office receives many inquiries from clientele asking about grants, loans, and cost share opportunities to help offset the costs of either starting their farm business or expanding, sustaining, and/or diversifying their current operation. In an effort to pull all of the funding resources together, the Woodford County Extension Service partnered with th
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the “State of Food” study conducted the University of Louisville, there is an average of 1 full service grocer per 25,000 residents in West Louisville compared to a Jefferson County wide ratio of 1 per every 12,500 residents. This leaves many residents dependent on food pantries and subsidized programs while not fully addressing core issues such as the lack of economic opportunities that are also prevalent in food deserts. While the city has numerous community green spac
Author: Christin Herbst
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, there are 50,908 acres of land in 308 farms in Carroll County with a total of 17,857 acres harvested. Cash receipts totaled $5,811,000 in 2012. Since the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement, the pounds of tobacco harvested in Carroll County has decreased over 98% and the importance of diversifying agricultural operations from tobacco to other production areas has been vital.Supporting local agricultural producers is a high priority of
Author: Allison Lewis
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our sixth annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2018 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County. A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 5 course Italian dinner. All of the food prepared
Author: Kathryn Wimberley
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
SITUATION:As the years go by, more people become farther removed from the farm. Therefore, there are many that are unaware of the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives from the clothes on our backs, the fuel in our vehicles and the food on our dinner table. Unfortunately, as we become more and more removed from the agriculture industry, the greater the misconceptions. There is an important need in our community for agriculturalists to share their story, educate consumers on whe
Author: Jessica Barnes
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
In Harrison County we are very fortunate to have a strong Beef Cattle Association that is always willing to partner with Extension in all that they do. Since their inception their focus has been to help the Harrison County farmer no matter if they produce grain, tobacco, vegetables, or livestock. One way in particular that they have partnered with Extension to make a very large impact in our county is to purchase equipment that producers wouldn't generally be able to justify for
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Children living in Breathitt and surrounding counties served by UK’s Robinson Center (RCARS) rank at the absolute bottom of the Robert Woods Johnson County Health Rankings for overall health outcomes. (Breathitt #120, Wolfe #119, Owsley #118, Leslie #117, Perry #116. 2018 data). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list childhood obesity as a contributing factor to many health issues. The CDC states that one way to combat childhood obesity is to consume a diet high in vegetables
Author: Laura Maggard
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Eastern Kentucky has the highest food insecurity in the United States. In Lawrence County, 2,750 individuals (17.3% of county population) are not sure where their next meal will come from. There is a steady increase in interest from clientele wanting to know how they can become more self-sufficient by growing their own food. Agriculture and horticulture agents in Eastern Kentucky have observed an increase in requests from small backyard fruit growers for guidance. In order to reach a large
Author: Curtis Judy
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
July 1, 2018 marked the beginning of a new two-year term for Todd County’s Phase I Ag. Development Council. Of the nine members on the 2016-18 Council, five were totally new this term, having never served before. At their first meeting members received training related to their responsibilities on the Council, including a short history of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and the projects and programs that have been conducted in Todd County. Th
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Women in Ag ConferenceThe University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Services in Carlisle, Ballard, Hickman, and Fulton counties along with the Farm Service Agency, hosted the 2018 Four River Counties Women in Agriculture Conference. This year it was held at the Clinton Methodist Church. There were 62 ladies in attendance. The program included Tools for the Marketing Toolbox: Alex Hayes, Floral Design by Teresa Crouse, WAVE Overview with Hannah Chretien, and a Tax Update, fol
Author: Jeffrey Casada
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Clay County producers had the opportunity to participate in three of 11 investment areas through the County Agriculture Investment Program (CAIP) this program year. Seventy-three producers did just that to increase net farm income, add value to their product and diversify their operations. Clay County invested $260,504.94 in CAIP and with the producer share of the 50/50 cost-share program makes the total invested over $521,000 in our county. While many producers target immediat
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Hemp has a long history in KY and has been revitalized for many KY farmers in the past few years but with very strict research regulations and market option. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill which contained the Hemp Farming Act is changing the way that hemp production has been viewed by farm agencies, farm creditors and federal and state farm programs. Hemp production was viewed by many as illegal and risky. In the state of Kentucky, even though the 2018 Farm Bill removes hemp
Author: Allison Lewis
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety reported in 2016 that every day about 33 children are injured in agriculture-related accidents and every three days, a child dies in an agriculture-related incident. Among household youth on farms, injury rates increased in 2014 for youth 10-19 years. From 2003 to 2010, among workers younger than 16 years, the number of worker fatalities in agriculture were consistently higher than in all non-agri
Author: Christopher Schalk
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
In an effort to reach more Kentucky residents about the mission of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, the Agriculture and Horticulture Extension Agents created a new educational program. In the fall of 2016, a member of the Barren County Extension Council and account manager for the local radio station, WGGC, approached agents about the possibility of developing a radio show. Each show would last 5 minutes in length and give listeners a daily dose of timely research-based
Author: Whitney Carman
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The average student in Grayson County is now three generations removed from agriculture, even though they rely on it every day. What people do not often realize is that core content can be taught using agriculture and natural resources as a platform where they learn both topics in their everyday lessons. Another highlight in today’s student curriculum is STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math), one which agriculture fits very well. The agriculture and natural resources agent has bee
Author: Jeremy Williams
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Harlan County has a long history that involves home horticulture and small farming operations. With suggestions from the agriculture development council along with the county beekeeping group, several agriculture sustainability programs, geared toward small producers were held throughout the past year. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent conducted 10 classes throughout the year using resources from the University of Kentucky and local leaders such as beekeepers and farmers.
Author: Jerry Little
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The Danville/Boyle county chamber of commerce conducts a leadership program every two years for local business people. In February the ANR agent set up two meetings with producers to discuss the ag day plans for April 16th. There were 14 participants and 4 chamber leadership committee members that attended the day long event. Tour stops included three beef producers, one cow/calf and the other two were backgrounders and they explained their business and their marketing strategies, and one produc
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Over the past decade, people have taken more interest in where their food comes from and what is in their food. In Breathitt and surrounding counties, interest in heritage skills has increased as a way to preserve skills of grandparents as well as extending their food dollar and taking pride in creating food for their family. This can be seen by the popularity of country ham programs for youth and adults in Kentucky.The Breathitt County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Reed Gr
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
A mini farm at Elliott County High School is teaching students business and entrepreneurship skills they can use in their future careers and showing residents how they can use agriculture to improve their lives.The mini farm is a project of Gary Selby, the high school’s agriculture teacher, and Keith Center, an agent with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. They started the project to rekindle interest in agriculture among the county’s young people. After a six-
Author: Eric Baker
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
With the Kentucky River coursing through our county, Estill County farm families and citizens know well the adversities of periodic flooding and associated damage.Nebraska grain farmers and livestock producers experienced a major flood in March 2019 that left the agriculture community with over a billion dollars of damages.Local Kentucky farmers and friends rose to the occasion to send aid through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, local county Cattlemen Associations, and
Author: Curtis Judy
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The Todd County Conservation District is administering Todd County’s sixth offering of the Phase I County Agricultural Improvement Program (CAIP) this program year. The program was approved for $230,000 in Todd County Ag. Development funds, with a maximum cost-share reimbursement limit of $3,500 per farm. The actual reimbursement cap will be a pro-rated number, based upon the number of people who complete projects and the amount of cost-share eligible money they spend. CAIP sig
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
In a time where the general public is becoming more and more unaware of where their food comes from and much less the processes of agriculture production, an advocacy for agriculture is needed. Gilkison Farms, the Clark County Cooperative Extension, and many other community partners are leading the charge for that advocacy by hosting the Clark County Youth Ag Day Program.The Youth Ag Day is actually a two day event that has been taking place at Gilkison Farms for the last several years. The goal
Author: Gary Hamilton
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The County Agricultural Improvement Cost-Share Program has provided financial assistance to Montgomery County Farmers for many years. Millions of dollars have been invested in making improvements on Montgomery County farms through this program. As a requirement to participate in this cost-share program, participants must attend educational training's based on the category of investment. This year the Extension Service provided 8 educational sessions covering the topics of Beef Quality Care a
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Allen County is home to major agriculture production. We take pride in our agriculture community. National Farm city week is held in November every year and to support our farmers we have a farm city week lunch at the extension office. This event is presented by the Allen County Extension Service, Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Farm Bureau and local farmers. The purpose of this event is to show appreciation for our farmers and so stakeholders, elected officials and community members can get to kn
Author: Sharon Flynt
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The Agriculture Career Exploration program was created through a partnership of the local Extension Horticulture Program, the Ed Davis Youth Center, and the Scott County Public Schools Migrant education Program. The growth and success of the Farm Camp where minority urban and suburban youth far removed from rural environments and farming experienced agriculture. The ACE program provided opportunities for a group of youth, ages 14 to 18 to tour horticultural/agricultural facilities such as
Author: Nicholas Carter
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Increasing the visibility and presence of Agriculture at the Lion’s Club Bluegrass Fair has been a priority of the Agriculture Advisory Council, Fayette County 4-H Council, Fayette County Extension Council, and the Lexington Lions Club since 2007. Extension Leaders, Volunteers, Agents, Locust Trace Agriculture Teachers, Fayette County Farm Bureau, and members of the Lexington Lions Club have worked together to make this a successful venture. This collaboration has increased the number of e
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to research from HubSpot, YouTube is the second most trafficked website behind google, and four times as many people prefer watching video on YouTube rather than on social media platforms. The Simpson County Ag Advisory Council and local clientele indicated that they would benefit from credible educational videos about local timely topics pertaining to agriculture, horticulture and natural resources. Therefore, the Simpson and Allen County Extension Agents for Agriculture &a
Author: Nicholas Carter
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Since the passing of the tobacco buyout, tobacco production has declined significantly. Cooperative Extension Service was given the responsibility to create and facilitate the 9 members Ag Development Council. The council met and gathered facts from all areas of agriculture in Fayette County and created a comprehensive plan for agriculture. This council has reviewed and approved applications from various groups or individuals for improvement in area of needs highlighted in the comprehensive plan
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to research from HubSpot, YouTube is the second most trafficked website behind google, and four times as many people prefer watching video on YouTube rather than on social media platforms. The Simpson County Ag Advisory Council and local clientele indicated that they would benefit from credible educational videos about local timely topics pertaining to agriculture, horticulture and natural resources.Therefore, the Simpson and Allen County Extension Agents for Agriculture & Na
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The Buffalo Trace Area Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents hosted two producer certification meetings discussing a newer chemical chemistry with soybean production utilizing dicamba based herbicides. Agents partnered with Bayer Incorporated and the University of Kentucky Weed Scientist Specialists to offer two certification meetings discussing the environmental concerns with dicamba chemistries. Each session presented positive and negatives associated with the chemistry while of
Author: Lyndall Harned
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Because of the extremely wet weather we had over the winter and that continued into the early spring, the fields in Boyd County were saturated and the farmers were in a quandary as to how to handle them. In response to inquiries from them, I was able to put together a program, based on one presented by Dr, Chris Teutsch, The program was well attended and the various nformation learned was put to use on the various farms as applicable and as needed to address that farms situation and individual c
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The 2014 Farm Bill allowed producers to grow industrial hemp the research and demonstration projects conducted in collaboration with Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). The 2018 Farm Bill, that passed, allowed for commercial production of industrial hemp. The Farm Bill allowed producers to grow industrial hemp on a commercial scale, using the licensing system developed by Kentucky Department of Agriculture. “No person can grow, handle, broker, or process industrial
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture Edmonson County has 81,589 acres of land used for agricultural purposes. About 73% is used for pasture and hay production. Several ruminant, and other species are raised on these acres, to include beef and dairy cattle, horses, meat goats, sheep, pastured poultry, and even wildlife, however, not all wildlife species are welcome by producers. In today’s economy many producers are searching for ways to improve production and utilization o
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Collaborators: Ky Department of Agriculture, ANR agent Glen Roberts, Ky State University Small Farm Assistant , Danny Adams, ANR Assistant , Terry Bertram, Ky Farm Bureau Federation, Wayne County Farm Bureau Federation, Valley Farm Center, UK Beef Nutrition Specialist, UK Soils Specialist, and UK Biosystems and Engineering specialists Goals: Livestock and grain farmers are perceived as good stewards of the land. They farm in a sustainable environmentally friendly and profitable manner. Through a
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Edmonson County is a very rural, sparsely populated county and a large percentage of that population works outside of the county. Even so, the residents of the county have a wide range of interests and needs related to agriculture. For the past several years, in an effort to address as many of those needs and interests as possible, the County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources has offered a multitude of educational opportunities. The past two years have included state and regional progr
Author: Steven Musen
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Due to declining world-wide demand for tobacco products, tobacco sales have fallen from a high of over 60%, to a current value of 23% of the total value of agriculture products sold in Jessamine County. House Bill 611 and the implementation of the Governor’s Office of Ag. Policy’s (GOAP) Agriculture Development Fund and the County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) has allowed for the allocation over $3.1 million, over a 16-year period. These funds have been used to assist in the restruct
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
“I bought a farm…”“ I just bought a farm, what can I do to make money, and where can I find a grant to pay for it?”….This is the number one question I receive weekly. Unfortunately for the caller, there is never an easy answer. In fact, I answer this question with a series of questions; How many acres? What resources do you have? What are you currently doing on the farm? In five years, where do you see yourself? And finally…What do you like to do?In e
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
This Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator was asked by one of the county agriculture teachers to help with an educational program for her vet science high school class. With the big increase in small animal interest in veterinarians the ANR agent decided to ask a local vet for help. In the classroom we demonstrated how to use an ultrasound machine on a pregnant dog to determine pregnancy. During this process students learned the importance of handling animals, how an ultrasound m
Author: Mattea Mitchell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Hickman County had 246 farm operations on 118,474 acres representing 88% of the county's total land. Total value of crop sales were $56,171 and animal sales were $102,692. Hickman County is a predominately farming community with production of row crops, livestock, poultry, and hog barns. Our county also includes other smaller food producing farms.The Grow It, Eat It, Wear It program focuses on several aspects of agriculture including row crop prod
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the USDA, Kentucky has the 4th largest number of farms in the United States with 55% of land designated for agriculture. As farms continue to consolidate, Agribusinesses’ have made their in-roads into farms and ‘Outstanding’ customer service is key to keeping their business, Extension is no different. The Cooperative Extension Service prides themselves in their ability to take care of the customers. The programming in the county is designed from
Author: Mattea Mitchell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Hickman County had 246 farm operations on 118,474 acres representing 88% of the county's total land. Total value of crop sales were $56,171 and animal sales were $102,692. Hickman County is a predominately farming community with production of row crops, livestock, poultry, and hog barns.When looking at the four river counties as one, 83.53% of the land is used for crop production. Last year, there were $359,967,000 of products sold across 960 farm
Author: Timothy Stombaugh
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
An important part of agricultural equipment development and innovation is standardization. Equipment manufacturers rely heavily on national and international standards to develop machines that are safe, reliable, and compatible with other machines developed by different manufacturers. A new standards project is being pursued to develop new techniques to test the accuracy of granular application machinery. This work has a direct impact on anyone who purchases agricultural granul
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the USDA, Kentucky has the 4th largest number of farms in the United States with 55% of land designated for agriculture. However, as the global population grows, and demands for agricultural products grow, the need for individuals with agricultural knowledge or careers related to agriculture will continue to grow. In Breckinridge County, few classrooms incorporate agriculture into their curriculum each year and many students have very little understanding of how agriculture impacts
