Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
Management Nutrients in Adair County In Kentucky, Nutrient Management Plans are required by law for many farmers. It is also an essential step in protecting our water resources that sustain life for humans and wildlife. Furthermore, proper nutrient management plans can lead to the reduction of fertilizer use, saving farmers an abundant amount of expenses.In 2019, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service began an initiative to increase the number of farmers who have Nutrient Mana
Author: Tammy Brewster-Barnes
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
Financial reports and business plans are certainly needed for agriculture loan procurement however, environmental or conservation plans are also required to receive loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). FSA has referred approximately 20 young farmers for assistance in the development of their KY AWQP and their KYNMPs. In addition, these producers receive one-on-one conservation/water education about nutrient and sediment reduction strategies for their newly purchased farm. I feel very privil
Author: Tammy Brewster-Barnes
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
Many producers are unaware or are unfamiliar with the State law that mandates all farming enterprises, on greater than ten acres, develop a KY AWQP and it's companion the KY NMP. In collaboration with industry groups (dairy and beef) or private companies (Handsome Brook, and Pilgrim's Pride), several farmer workshops, meetings or one-on-one farm visits provided development assistance and education about their AWQP. Additional farm visits yielded the information needed for the compl
Author: Tammy Brewster-Barnes
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
Formal workshops and one-on-one training's were given to CD county staff. The workshops were tailored to mirror their region's most common animal agriculture. After training's, staff was confident that they would be able to help producers develop nutrient management plans and they have felt comfortable reaching out for help at anytime. With Amanda Gumbert and other EEC personnel, revises to the online version of the KY Ag Water Quality Producer Workbook were made- questions were rewo
Author: Amanda Gumbert
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
On two rainy days in February 2020, farmers and farm advisors from across the Mississippi River Basin convened near Memphis, TN for the first of two Farmer-to-Farmer Conservation Field Days that are part of an EPA-supported, multi-state project to facilitate peer learning among farmers about conservation.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension specialists and associates lead the planning of this event. The event itself was multi-state, as an Arkansas farmer and a Mississippi farmer hosted a
Author: Amanda Gumbert
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
Sustainable water management is critical for agriculture operations across the southern United States. Water quality and water quantity issues vary among states, but often technical resource and programming needs look similar across state boundaries. Gaps in federal water program resources and faculty/staff turnover have resulted in a lacking network among water-focused Extension professionals across the South. A core group of collaborators acquired a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research &a
