Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents met in the spring of 2023 to begin planning a series of chute side beef programs. These programs were designed with the intentions to allow producers to stand along side agents at the working chute. Live demonstrations of beef quality care and assurance practices, reproduction procedures, weighing cattle, freeze branding and general management practices would be conducted chute side. The agent team discussed the fact that many times
Author: Levi Berg
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities report completed by Purdue University, there were no fewer than 42 grain related entrapments in 2022 representing a 44.8% increase over 2021. This was the highest number of grain entrapments in over a decade. With the knowledge of potential injuries caused by grain bins and the increased number of grain bins in Clark County, two agricultural producers approached the Clark County Extension Office wit
Author: Joanna Coles
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In April 2000, the Kentucky General Assembly allocated agriculture 50% of Kentucky’s Master Settlement Agreement in House Bill 611. The Cooperative Extension Service was named administrator of the County Agriculture Development Councils to help facilitate the development of a short and long-term plans for agriculture, cultivate ideas for projects, prioritize projects, and distribute the funds in a responsible manner.The Cooperative Extension Service has worked closely with the County Agric
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The Fleming County Extension Service Ag Advisory Council had discussed wanting a large program in the community that would be similar to the old June Dairy Days. With collaboration of the Advisory Group and Buffalo Trace County Agents the 2023 Area Farm Field Day came to fruition. The program was geared toward a wide array of topics to provide interest opportunities with a variety of folks. Topics included: All About Bees; General Sheep and Goat Production; Cattle Vaccine
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Tobacco production in the Buffalo Trace area was vital to the agriculture community. As the production program for tobacco began to change in the late nineties, buyouts and the tobacco settlement fund helped offset the loss of dollars generated from tobacco. Since 2001 the tobacco settlement fund offered cost-share programs to counties for producers to diversify from tobacco production to other agriculture venues. These programs lessened the burden of the dependency of tobacco
Author: Steven Musen
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Members of the Jessamine County Extension Agriculture Advisory Council has identified the need to conduct and Agriculture Tour of Jessamine County to highlight the diversity and vitality of Jessamine County Agriculture. Plans for the proposed Agriculture Tour were presented to the Jessamine County Farm bureau Bord, who voted to contribute $1,700 to help cover the cost of bus transportation, and to Central Kentucky Ag. Credit, who offered to cover the cost of participants' lunch. On Sept
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problemCollaborators: UK Beef IRM Nutrition Specialists, KY Farm Bureau Federation, Wayne County Farm Bureau Federation, ANR Agent Glen Roberts, KSU Small Farm Assistant, and Wayne County Cattlemen`s Association mineral committeeSituation: After attending Master Cattlemen and other beef nutrition educational sessions taught by University of KY Beef nutrition specialists Wayne County Cattlemen became aware of the need to purchase better minerals for their cowherds. They also learned that they
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Tri-County Ag Extension Group consists of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents in Webster, McLean and Hopkins Counties. The counties are not only alike geographically, but also agriculturally. Many producers in the tri-county area farm in all three counties. With specialist demand during the “winter meeting season” coupled with travel constraints, moving toward multi-county educational opportunities just makes sense. The Tri-County Ag Extension Group offer
Author: Joseph Ray
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Over the last year Boyle County has had an influx of young, new, and beginning farmers move into the county. The beginning farmers range in farm background, experience, operations. The Boyle County ANR and Horticulture Agents have received many calls from beginning farmers on a wide range of subjects from funding opportunities to other resources. To meet the needs of the growing number of beginning farmers in the county and surrounding area the Boyle County ANR and Horticulture Agents devel
Author: John Tucker
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
On average 85 % of all the land in farm use for the four river counties is in cropland. (2017 Census of Agriculture) Three of the four counties have over 38 million in crop sales, while Hickman County sells almost 57 million in crop sales. (2017 Census of Agriculture) In all four river counties, there is an average of 29.75% female farm producers. (2017 Census of Agriculture) Our program this year for the Women in Ag Conference was to concentrate on Women’s Leadership in Agriculture-presen
Author: Benjamin Rudy
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
On the average 76 % of all the land in the four river counties is in crop production. Three of the four counties Ballard, Carlisle, and Fulton County have over 33 million in average crop sales. Hickman County sells over 56 million in crop sales. In all four counties, there is an average of 24.75% female farm operators. Our program this year for the Women in Ag Conference was to concentrate on Women’s Leadership in Agriculture-presented by Dr. Kristie Guffey. J
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problem: Agriculture producers need resources to grow their businesses.The educational program response: Different educational programs for nearly all agriculture commodities/enterprises were provided for producers.The participants/target audience: Agriculture ProducersOther partners (if applicable): Muhlenberg County Cattlemen's Association and the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy.Program impact or participant response: Producers participating in the County Agriculture Inves
Author: Megan Wetenkamp
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Henry County Conservation District and NRCS office offer several cost-share and grant opportunities for farmers. Their programs primarily focus on prevention of soil erosion. Part of that approach is to encourage the practice of cover cropping. Using funds from our local Ag Development Council the Conservation District purchased a no-till seed drill for a shared-use program. Soon after the purchase I met with the Conservation District Board to propose a field day for the seed drill. Seed drills
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Over the last few years Boyle County has seen an uptick in young, and/or beginning farmers. These new farmers span a wide range of experience level and types of enterprises. With the increase in calls and meetings from this beginner group, the Boyle County ANR and Horticulture Agents developed and implemented an educational program series to answer some of the most asked questions using experts within the field.The series focused on providing participants with a foundation of knowledge to build
Author: Samuel Cofield
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The Trigg County Cooperative Extension Service in conjunction with the Trigg County Ag Committee host events throughout the year to increase public knowledge of agriculture. It is important to all involved in agriculture to inform the increasingly urban population about their farming practices so that they can understand and appreciate how important farming is to the local economy. The tour is designed to give attendees a firsthand look at modern farming and conservation methods. &n
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problemThe extension offices in central Kentucky have provided local and regional lenders, updates on farm income and outlook to help them as they work with producers looking to borrow money for the purchase of capitol improvements or operating money for the year. Lenders in Eastern Kentucky have not had access to that same information. Lenders in the eastern portion of Kentucky have been in need of economic updates to help them as they work with our farmers and the p
Author: Jay Stone
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Tri-County Ag Extension Group Educational Series Tri-County Ag Extension Group consists of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents in Webster, McLean and Hopkins Counties. The counties are not only alike geographically, but also agriculturally. Many producers in the tri-county area farm in all three counties. With specialist demand during the “winter meeting season” coupled with travel constraints, moving toward multi-county educational opportunities just make
Author: Jay Stone
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
To meet the educational needs of today's Producer requires Agents to learn and adapt to new ways to connect to our clientele. Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents in Webster, Hopkins and Mclean counties produce weekly podcasts as part of their Tri-County Ag Extension Group programs. With a weekly audience base that extends well beyond the state borders, Kentucky Ag Matters has developed a regular, listening audience who receive weekly, research-based information on a varie
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
To meet the educational needs of today's Producer requires Agents to learn and adapt to new ways to connect to our clientele. Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents in Webster, Hopkins and Mclean counties produce weekly podcasts as part of their Tri-County Ag Extension Group programs. With a weekly audience base that extends well beyond the state borders, Kentucky Ag Matters has developed a regular, listening audience who receive weekly, research-based information on a varie
Author: Jay Stone
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In July of 2023, the McLean, Webster, and Hopkins County ANR agents coordinated a program in cooperation with UK ANR Agents, KADF, University of Georgia Poultry Specialist, Purdue, and Poultry producers in McLean County. A grant from the KADF was received to help bring a UGA ventilation specialist to the area to visit with producers. The ANR agents, Purdue Flock advisors and UGA Specialist made 8 different on-farm visits with Poultry producers to look at facilities and their ability to ven
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problem how are producers and clients going to maintain soil health while at the same time think about carbon credits and renewable fuel. The educational program response one of our young farmers presented a program on soil health and carbon credits using soil practices we are using today. Producers from our county were presented with some other possible solutions without changing current practices. This would allow them to get a carbon credit intensity score and sell their corn to ethanol p
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
To meet the educational needs of today's Producer requires Agents to learn and adapt to new ways to connect to our clientele. Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents in Webster, Hopkins and Mclean counties produce weekly podcasts as part of their Tri-County Ag Extension Group programs. With a weekly audience base that extends well beyond the state borders, Kentucky Ag Matters has developed a regular, listening audience who receive weekly, research-based information on a varie
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Tri-County Ag Extension Group consists of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents in Webster, McLean and Hopkins Counties. The counties are not only alike geographically, but also agriculturally. Many producers in the tri-county area farm in all three counties. With specialist demand during the “winter meeting season” coupled with travel constraints, moving toward multi-county educational opportunities just makes sense. The Tri-County Ag Extension Group offer
Author: Joanna Coles
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Farmers are in the legacy business, wanting to pass the farming operation to the next generation. However, only 30% of those farms succeed to the next generation and only 12% to the third generation. Estate planning is an essential tool to help increase this statistic. The Warren County Extension Council identified estate planning as a priority topic because only 33 percent of Americans have an estate plan. A committee was formed to plan and conduct the program to increase tha
Author: Joseph Ray
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
To meet the educational needs for producers of certain agricultural commodities, the ANR Agents in Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln, and Mercer counties collaborated to host a series of educational meetings during the winter season. This year the four agents conducted meetings for forage producers, cattle backgrounders, grain crop producers, and tobacco growers. This year the topics included: summer forage options for central Kentucky, beginning rotational grazing, weed management, nutrient managem
Author: John Tucker
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Hickman County has over 47,000 acres of soybeans and 35,000 acres of corn producing over 66 million dollars in sales of grain for the county (2022 Census of Agriculture). Hickman County ag agent collaborated with other local ag agents from Fulton, Carlisle, Graves, McCracken, Calloway, and Marshall Counties as well as three adult ag teachers from WKCTC to provide the annual Winter Ag Conference. This informational meeting was held at Lowry Farms in Pilot Oak, Kentucky. With d
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Digging Up Ag PodcastIn today’s world, media outlets such as podcasts and social media are one of the best ways to reach clientele with educational resources and information. With these media sources you can be creative, flexible, and really accomplish your goals while reaching people that you may not normally reach with traditional marketing methods.With the growing demand for podcasts, agents from Allen, Monroe and Hart counties teamed up to present a new podcast to clientele called &ldq
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In today’s world, media outlets such as podcasts and social media are one of the best ways to reach clientele with educational resources and information. With these media sources you can be creative, flexible, and really accomplish your goals while reaching people that you may not normally reach with traditional marketing methods.With the growing demand for podcasts, agents from Allen, Monroe and Hart counties teamed up to present a new podcast to clientele called “Digging Up Ag Podc
Author: Taylor Graves
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
There are so many resources available to assist producers in making modifications to their operations. These resources can come in the form of education and financial assistance. But where are these resources available and what steps do producers need to take to get them? These are the questions that the Farm Services night program was able to answer. There are times I will receive phone calls at the office and the producer will need assistance from another entity other than the Extension O
Author: Lyndall Harned
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
I had a local farmer come up to me before a recent Master Cattleman’s Program and told me his partner said to tell me ‘Thank You’. And I asked what for. He said all the help, information, and guidance I had given him over the past few years since he first contacted me. He said that between the information I had given him, the programs I had gotten him involved in, etc., had helped him greatly improve his farming operation and specifically his profitability.He said specifically
Author: Miranda Rudolph
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the USDA, the average age of U.S. farm producers in 2022 is 58.1 years, and the number of producers aged 65 and older showed a 12% increase, which is consistent with the continued trend of an aging farm population. Along with this comes the unfortunate reality of people inheriting land that has been in their family for generations, or people buying land that had been sold off of generational farms. This is very true for Graves County. Over the last several months, there has been a s
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans reported losing $10 billion to fraud in 2023, which is a 14% increase from 2022 and the highest amount ever reported to the FTC. Almost everyone with a telephone number experiences a relentless barrage of attempts aimed at extracting personal information, holding electronic devices for ransom, or tricking individuals into compromising situations to extort money from them.In response to this pressing issue, the Grant County Chamber
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In today’s world, media outlets such as podcasts and social media are one of the best ways to reach clientele with educational resources and information. With these media sources you can be creative, flexible, and really accomplish your goals while reaching people that you may not normally reach with traditional marketing methods.With the growing demand for podcasts, agents from Allen, Monroe and Hart counties teamed up to present a new podcast to clientele called “Digging Up Ag Podc
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problem and planned program to respondFarmers of all disciplines recognize the need to plan for the transition of the farm to the next generation. However even with the best plan on paper, actually attracting the next generation to stay or come back to the family farm can be challenging at times. The planning committee looked to address those issues by discussing topics such as estate planning, on farm diversification of crops and diversification of marketing for existing crops, as well as g
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Kentucky is the largest cattle producing state east of the Mississippi River. A lot of great cattle are being grown and sold in the markets around the commonwealth however some of are lacking in feed and nutrition. Additionally, knowing and understanding what the cattle markets are looking for is also an important management tool for farmers. The Buffalo Trace County Area has hosted the Cattle Grading/Body Condition program for many years. 2024 was the first year that it
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problem: New and tenured ANR agents are being asked to provide input on agricultural land rental rate surveyThe educational program response: This Agent was asked to chair a committee of new and tenured agents regarding the question of whether or not to conduct an agricultural land rental rate survey.The participants/target audience: New and tenured agents, landowners and tenantsOther partners (if applicable) Seven other ANR Agents with varying years of experience from across the
Author: Gary Hamilton
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Forages, Beef Cattle and Grain Crops are the staple crops of the Gateway Area farm economy. Over the past 14 years the ANR agents in Bath, Menifee and Montgomery County’s have gathered producer input, planned and implemented a Regional Agricultural Commodity Night Program to focus on some current issues facing farmers. This year 35 producers attended and gained knowledge from information presented by specialist from the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department.
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Seeing a need for more education for cattle farmers in the tri-state region agents from Harlan, Bell and Knox Counties Kentucky Lee, Wise and Scott Counties Virginia and Claiborne and Hancock Counties Tennessee on March 23, 2024 held the sixth annual Cumberland Gap Beef Cattle Conference. The Goal was to address the needs and update cattle farmers on renovating pastures, herbicide applications, humane euthanasia, weed control, forage nutrition, forage fertility. Of those in attendance
Author: Clinton Hardy
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Extension agents in Daviess and Henderson County graduated 25 Daviess and Henderson County women farmers and farm spouses from a 15 instructional hour Annies Project Farm Management Training Program for Women in March of this year. Participants in this program received instructional information related to farm management pertaining to human resources, communication, and organizational leadership. Knowledge of crop insurance policy options, personal property and business liability ins
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in Laurel County is rapidly decreasing. Between the 2012 and 2017 Census reports, there was a 5% decrease. The most recent data shows an additional decrease of 9%. Approximately 98% of the operations are family farms; however, many farm owners are unaware of the proper planning needed to protect the farm as it is passed down through generations.Even farm owners who have prepared a Last Will and Testament may not be awar
Author: Whitney Carman
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The local Breckinridge, Grayson and Hancock County areas have noticed an increase in the number of women taking active roles in the agriculture enterprises recently. Based on US Census of Ag Data, 35% of the primary farm owners in this area are women. This is due to many factors: succession, new residents interested in farming, better resources for women, and general interests, to name a few. This area of Kentucky is also expanding in diverse enterprises ranging from vegetables, grain, ca
Author: Steven Musen
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The Kentucky Ag. Development Fund,s County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) cost-share program has been used to assist in the restructuring of Jessamine County Agriculture, helping to alleviate financial challenges caused by the loss of tobacco income and diversify the agriculture production base.The nine members of the Jessamine County Agriculture Development Board, in cooperation with the Jessamine County Extension ANR Agent, have worked hard to maximize the use of the KADF cost-share funds to ac
Author: Jay Stone
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Crop production is a major part of the agriculture economies in Western Kentucky, with Corn, Soybeans, Wheat and Tobacco being the major crops produced in most counties. To meet the needs of producers, the ANR Agent has worked to to identify the educational needs of Grain and Tobacco producers and develop programs to meet those needs. In addition to the plot work that has been done in the past, agents have worked to provide additional opportunities and delivery methods to help produce
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problem The local Breckinridge, Grayson and Hancock County areas have noticed an increase in the number of women taking active roles in the agriculture enterprises recently. Based on US Census of Ag Data, 35% of the primary farm owners in this area are women. This is due to many factors: succession, new residents interested in farming, better resources for women, and general interests, to name a few. This area of Kentucky is also expanding in diverse enterprises ranging from vege
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the 2022 United States Agriculture Census, Cumberland County has a total of 409 farms occupying 92,797 acres. Within that, 260 farms and 51,057 acres are female operated. This trend was noticed several years ago, with women taking on more of a role on farms. A women in agriculture group started in late 2016 early 2017 in Cumberland County. Since then, this group has hosted educational meetings, field days on farms, and networking meetings. In late winter 2024, the group decided they
Author: Grant Gardner
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
As this is my first success story, which includes a full year on the job, I can say that the lessons I have learned this year are numerous. However, one success that points to my ability to perform in my role stands above the others. Building a national brand is one of the keys to successful extension programming; I have started doing that this year. I regularly write for Southern Ag Today, a consortium of Southern Schools that release popular articles each day regarding the current state of the
Author: Jordan Shockley
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In the Spring of 2021, popular press articles were reporting on the opportunity and benefits of enrolling in pilot carbon programs across the U.S. Touting high payments, low enrollment costs, environmental benefits, and increased yields gained the attention of farmers and landowners. Numerous stakeholders contacted our department asking if we knew about carbon programs, what qualified, and whether they could receive payments for adopting carbon sequestering production practices. Given Kentucky s
Author: John Tucker
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Hickman County is one county that receives very little (less than $5,000/year) Phase I Tobacco Settlement funds that was established by House Bill 611. In 2020 the State Agricultural Development Board voted to give counties who receive very limited Phase I Funds enough money to have $30,000 in their county accounts. This year, Hickman County Ag Development Board and the Graves County Soil Conservation District administered the CAIP or County Ag Investment Program. The CAIP mone
Author: Whitney Carman
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The Farm at Rough River is more than just a small farm; it’s a testament to the resilience and determination of a family committed to stewarding the earth and enriching the lives of those around them. The Nicoali Family moved to Grayson County as military veteran family, looking for land to provide wholesome, locally sourced food to their family, and community. Guided by interest, hard work, and dedication, they were able to transform their small farm into a thriving hub of agricultural pr
Author: Thomas Miller
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
After participating in the KY Ag Matters Podcast last year for the first time, this year I appeared in 2 episodes. The first was a program with Dr. Lloyd Murdcock, Extension Soils Specialist from the Princeton Research Station to talk about his over 50 year career at the station. We delved into the beginnings of no-till production and how it really started in Kentucky. We talked about how the impact of Johnsongrass really slowed the spread of no-till adoption then with successf
Author: Thomas Miller
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
With the extension of the current Farm Bill into the 2024 growing season, producers still needed education and information on which election would be best for their farm in the current growing season. Tom Miller, Ballard County Extension Agent for ANR developed several options for growers and landowners. With FSA personnel discouraged from giving advice, it is a great opportunity for extension to fill the void. Several newsletter articles and updates were produced. A lett
Author: Linda McClanahan
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
As a result of requests for specific programming, the ANR, FCS and HORT agents teamed up to start a homesteading series in the spring. We designed the series such that the classes offered in each program area for the month would complement one another. Thus far the ANR programs have focused on backyard poultry, soils and sheep/goat production. The ANR agent taught the soils class while ANR specialists taught the other 2 programs. Producers who attended the soils course all indicated they planned
Author: Grant Gardner
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
This year, I collaborated with Will Maples at Mississippi State University to write the article “Using Historical Price Movements to Inform Marketing Decisions.” This article was the most-read article for the entire year on “Southern Ag Today,” a consortium of Southern Extension Programs that posts a daily article on agricultural economics for the public. In total, the article was viewed by over 6,000 people. Conservatively estimating the impact: if 50% of the readers cap
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The scope of agriculture in Grant County has evolved over the past 20 years. Burley tobacco production no longer remains the economic driver for farm revenue. Farmers looked to supplement the loss of tobacco income with more and additional sources for farm revenue. The Grant County Agriculture Development Council has been proactive in utilizing funds from the Master Settlement Agreement to assist farmers. These efforts allow farmers to merge their businesses with the late
Author: Brandon Sears
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Madison county continues to be among the top three counties for growth in Kentucky. Many who move here are first time land/farm owners in search of guidance for how to get started and connected to the community. Local farmers and landowners also continue to need assistance and education for their production challenges as well.In an effort to educate and connect producers with one another programs and with input from the Madison County Extension Agriculture Council, Madison County Beef Cattle Ass
Author: Joanna Coles
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Social media presents an incredible marketing opportunity for farmers. The Warren County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Horticulture developed a social media series targeting farmers’ market vendors, agritourism operators, KY Proud partners, and on-farm business owners. Utilizing University of Kentucky resources and industry standards, they created a three-part series that consisted of classroom instruction, hands-on activities, one-on-one coaching, and after-cl
Author: Joanna Coles
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Maximizing the reach of the educational content we create is essential for reaching diverse audiences and being relevant in the social and educational space. YouTube offers a platform to reach a wider audience while increasing awareness of the Cooperative Extension Service by providing weekly educational videos produced in our office. Warren County Agriculture YouTube Channel has 1780 subscribers. The global reach of Warren County Agriculture includes views from 25 other countries be
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problemDuring the cold temperatures experienced during early January 2024 there was a county-wide water outage. Livestock producers that relied on city water as the only source for drinking water was in need of access to water to deliver to their livestock. The educational program responseThe local EMS director contacted the extension office to assist with water for livestock. A plan was developed to stage a large tank at the Extension office, for producers to fill their ta
Author: Ricky Arnett
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Over the past few years of working with the youth in our county and being an adviser to the Ag Alumni Association I came to realize the youth of Green County feels there is nothing for them here after High School. 95% of our Junior and Seniors in Agriculture are looking to support there families outside of Green County and a large portion of those students will live somewhere else as well. I realize Green County don’t have everything the larger city’s have but we still have opportuni
Author: Ricky Arnett
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Phase I funding continues to play an integral part of the agriculture of Green County. The Green County Agricultural Development Board helped to administer over $300,000 to the agriculture producers of Green County.The council funded producers with the C.A.I.P. program that included: genetics, fencing, on farm water development, cattle handling, hay storage, diversification, technology, dairy diversification, and forage improvement. Several different educational offerings included as part of the
Author: Kenneth Burdine
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Regional Cow-calf Profitability ConferencesDuring March of 2024, four Regional Cow-calf Profitability Conferences were held in areas that had a significant number of cow-calf operations and that had not recently hosted a program of this type. These educational programs were very intensive, running from roughly 9am until 4pm, and included multiple presentations by Greg Halich, Jonathan Shepherd, and Kenny Burdine. Topics were specifically selected that were deemed to have the most potential to im
Author: Kenneth Burdine
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Cattle Market Notes WeeklyCattle Market Notes Weekly is a marketing publication / newsletter that is sent out jointly by Extension Livestock Economists from the University of Kentucky, the University of Arkansas, and Mississippi State University. This publication includes a relatively short article focused on a cattle-related marketing or management topic each week, along with related graphics, price tables, and the most recent drought monitor. James Mitchell, Josh Maples, and I write articles o
Author: Levi Berg
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the 2017 Ag Census, Clark County have over 800 farms and around $34,028,000 in agricultural sales with livestock sales equaling 55% of total sales. Also Clark county has 14,576 households according to the 2019 census. With this knowledge, the Clark County Extension Office worked to hold the 2024 Winter School. The purpose of the 2024 Winter School was to hold a three day series covering bull selection, hay storage, pasture fertilization, pond construction, feed and water structures,
Author: Megan Wetenkamp
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
It is a common complaint amongst farmers that grant and cost-share programs are too confusing to apply for. There are many different opportunities available to farmers that they are not even aware of. The concept for the Henry County Ag Funding Workshop was created by Kendall Bowman, Owen County ANR Agent. The program was tweaked to better serve farmers in Henry. To attract more people, the event was aligned with the release of CAIP Applications and CAIP Informational Session. Additionally
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
.Carlisle County has over 36,000 acres of soybeans and 28,000 acres of corn producing over 74 million dollars in sales of grain for the county (2022 Census of Agriculture). Carlisle County ag agent collaborated with other local ag agents from Fulton, Hickman, Graves, McCracken, Calloway, and Marshall Counties as well as three adult ag teachers from WKCTC to provide the annual Winter Ag Conference. This informational meeting was held at Lowry Farms in Pilot Oak, Kentucky. With
Author: Annette Heisdorffer
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Women who want to take a more active role in the farm business side of the operation can be intimidated by a lack of knowledge of the operation and options for their farm business. Annie’s Project is a Farm Management Training Program for women providing a safe and nurturing learning environment. Extension agents in Daviess and Henderson counties graduated 25 women involved in farm business from a 15-hour, six-week instructional course called Annie’s Project, a farm mana
Author: Ivelin Denev
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problemThe educational program responseThe participants/target audienceOther partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response.
Author: Patrick Hardesty
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In 2000, the General Assembly through House Bill 611 allocated 50% of Kentucky’s Master Settlement Agreement. The Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service became administrator of the county Agriculture Development Council to help facilitate the development of short- and long-term plans for agriculture, evaluate and prioritize projects and distribute funds.Through this partnership, projects provided opportunities to increase profitability and promote diversification away from tobac
Author: Gregory Halich
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Programming: Cow-Calf Profitability Conferences Winter 2024 While University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension has had many good programs focused on beef cattle, we felt that these programs have typically be somewhat fragmented and lacked cohesion: Various specialists from different departments would present on their respective topics. While programs like this have been valuable, we wanted a program where all the presentations were tied together and focused on what farmers had the mos
Author: Gregory Halich
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Programming in Bale Grazing 2023-2024 Bale Grazing is a winter feeding practice originally developed in the western Canadian provinces and portions of the northern US. Done correctly, it can reduce equipment and labor (no tractor is required for feeding) and dramatically increase pasture fertility. However, it had to be adapted to work well in the Upper South as our soils aren’t frozen over for months at a time during winter. I started bale grazing on one of my perso
