Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2025Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Helping young Farm Entrepreneurs know how Cooperative Extension can help them succeed
Author: Danny Adams
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Describe the Issue or Situation. There are several young men that have no farming experience, because of being raised by families that have no farmland. Several of my fellow farmers and myself are targeting those individuals to help them with the work skills they need to succeed on the farm or other jobs they may get in their life's path.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). When I was growing up there was always a job we could get on the farm w
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Homesteading Series in Russell County: Fostering Self-Sufficiency
Author: Jonathan Oakes
Major Program: Small Farm Management
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in homesteading practices, particularly in rural areas like Russell County. As residents seek sustainable and efficient ways to manage their homes and farms, the demand for practical knowledge has intensified. The need for self-sufficiency has become increasingly pressing, driven by economic challenges and a desire for greater control over food sources. This shift reflects a broader trend towards sustainability, where individuals are motivated t
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Safe Farm Stewards
Author: Owen Watkins
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Anderson County has had over a dozen farm accidents that resulted in serious injury or death over the last 50 years. Farming accidents have become an unfortunate part of the culture here; imbedding themselves and their painful memories into the tightly woven fabric of this community. The fog these accidents have left over the heads of the people here is as dense as any that rise up out of the rivers that water the crops and cattle, and darker than any. It is a problem that has persisted too long
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Kentucky State University Educates Small Farmers on Drone and Agriculture Technology
Author: Jeremy Sandifer
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Small Unmanned Arial Systems (sUAS) or “drones” are increasingly being utilized with the promise of improved efficiencies in agriculture operations that affect farm profit, worker safety, and overall situational awareness. There is an abundant need for continued exposure to drones and in continuing education for informing farmers and adjacent professionals on the benefits of the technology.To provide learning opportunities for farmers and adjacent professionals, members of the Land G
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2024 KSU Small Farmer of the Year
Author: Danny Adams
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Describe the Issue or Situation. KSU awarded Tanya Berry the 2024 Small Farmer of the Year. This is the first time a small farmer has won this award in southern KY. Tanya Berry with her husband farms on two acres of land in Wayne County. Tanya Berry grows vegetables, plants and flowers in greenhouses, high tunnels and outdoors using plastic mulch and drip irrigation. The Berries have a small country store to sell their farm items at, to the community. Tanya also sells her produce and
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KY Fence and Agricultural Law Updates
Author: Kendal Bowman
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable)To address these issues, the Owen County Cooperative Extension Service hosted the KY Fence and Agricultural Law Updates program on October 22, 2024. The program featured an engaging and informative presentation by a legal expert from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Topics included Kentucky’s fence law, liability for escaped livestock, boundary disputes, agreements for fence maintenance, and adverse p
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Hay Testing
Author: Owen Watkins
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Because of the high number of livestock producers in the county, I realized that one of the across the board factors that would be impacting the financial viability of many farmers was hay quality. Hay costs significant money to produce and/or purchase, so much so that it is often one of the primary expenses for livestock producers. If hay is not of sufficient quality then animals will not be able to perform at the height of their potential, and they will eat more hay than they might otherwise.
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Temporary Fencing School
Author: Megan Wetenkamp
Major Program: Small Farm Management
The price of building a permanent fence for livestock has dramatically increased the past few years. To help offset this issue, the Henry County Extension Office provided an in-depth training on temporary and high tensile electric fencing. Both temporary and high tensile fencing are among the most cost-effective options for containing livestock. Both styles have been used for years by farmers in Kentucky. The Temporary Fencing School was modeled after the multi-day Fencing Schools that the
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First Annual Tri-State Homesteading Conference: A Transformative Experience for Homesteaders
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Small Farm Management
The First Annual Tri-State Homesteading Conference, a partnership of The Cooperative Extension Services of the University of Kentucky, The Ohio State University, and Purdue University, was a resounding success. The event brought together 80 homesteaders from across the region and 11 specialists, agents, and experienced farmers as instructors. This groundbreaking conference was the first Extension-led homesteading event of its scale, offering 18 educational sessions on a variety of topics, includ
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Agricultural Entrepreneurs Learn Marketing
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Small Farm Management
While many farm entrepreneurs have great ideas and deep knowledge about the products they would like to grow and sell, finding the right marketing channel can be difficult. Knowing how to access those channels and the best strategy to market products can be even harder. Most farmers get into the business because they understand agricultural systems, not because they are expert marketers, customer service agents, or graphic designers. Through a year-round program for beginning farmers, marke
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Homesteading Series
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Small Farm Management
The Buffalo Trace Homesteading Series is a hands-on educational initiative to empower community members with sustainable agriculture skills. The program focuses on practical techniques in food preservation, gardening, mushroom cultivation, and meat processing. Designed to promote self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship, the series provides participants with the knowledge and confidence to apply these practices in their own homes and farms. With over 75 participants from diverse background
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Having the knowledge to assist cattle farmers with herd problems they have in the winter and spring.
Author: Danny Adams
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Describe the Issue or Situation. Cattle farmers in the winter and spring have issues with nutrition, calving deliveries, magnesium and calcium deficiencies.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). My knowledge of nutrition for the small cattle herds in Wayne County helps them with their herds feed needs along with managing cattle health problems. By having on farm visits with farmers I was able to look and recommend different solutions for
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Broadcasted all over the world with WPBK and WHIR!
Author: Tyler Miller
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Describe the Issue or Situation.I regularly participate in two radio programs. one is hosted on an AM station and i talk everyday once a month. I touch on timely topics for the listeners and give sound, research based information to those whom are listening. This station reaches about 15,000 people. I also record my radio program and send that recording to the station. The station then plays the recording at a later time in the day. this only helps to reach more people make a larger difference i
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Small & Beginning Farmer School
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an uptick in new folks moving from other parts of the United States to rural Kentucky and most notably to Fleming County. Many of the folks moving into the area have little to no farm experience and have numerous questions about basic farming. The former District ANR/Hort agents determined that there was a need to put together an educational programming geared specifically for small and beginning farmers in the east region of Kentucky. &nbs
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Helping Farmers control weeds in their pastures and hay fields.
Author: Danny Adams
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Describe the Issue or Situation. The Wayne County Extension Office has been helping local farmers with their weed control problems in their pasture and hay fields for the last twenty eight years. One of the benefits for Wayne County farmers are the use of two pasture sprayers that they can use free of charge. By being able to identify different weeds and their controls, farmers have used different herbicides that have been recommended for their weed control. The sprayers are used on
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Fifty Dollars of Hope: A Small Voucher Making a Big Difference
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Whitley County, Kentucky, has a population of approximately 36,755 residents, with 5,779 individuals aged 65 and older. The county faces a 25.1% poverty rate, which is significantly higher than the state average. Many seniors in the area live on extremely limited incomes, often below $1,200 per month, making access to fresh, nutritious food a serious concern. With inflation and rising food costs, vulnerable seniors are increasingly at risk of food insecurity and poor nutritio
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Planting Knowledge, Harvesting Hope: Small Farms Rise in the Mountains
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Small and beginning farmers in Eastern Kentucky often face multiple barriers to success, including limited access to agricultural education, high poverty rates, lack of exposure to current technologies, and few networking opportunities with industry professionals. Many of these producers operate in isolated areas and may not be aware of available programs, funding, or technical assistance. As a result, farm profitability, safety, and sustainability can suffer—further im
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Herb Boxes & Power Tools: Sowing Independence One Project at a Time
Author: Miranda Rudolph
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Every day, it becomes clearer that we must begin taking ownership in making sure we have the skills necessary to do things on our own, rather than buying them from someone or hiring someone to do things for us. One of the most common requests for programming at the Graves County Cooperative Extension Office revolves around learning hands-on skills rather than just attending lectures. In order to meet these needs and requests, the Graves County ANR agent has made an effort to incorporate programs
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Beginning and Small Farmer School
Author: Gary Hamilton
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an uptick in new folks moving from other parts of the United States to rural Kentucky and most notably to Montgomery County. Many of the folks moving into the area have little to no farm experience and have numerous questions about basic farming. The former District ANR/Hort agents determined that there was a need to put together an educational programming geared specifically for small and beginning farmers in the east region of Kentucky. &
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Homesteading 101
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Based on recent producer numbers released in the 2022 Census of Agriculture and the population for Simpson County from the U.S. Census Bureau, only 3.35% of Simpson Countians are considered agricultural producers. Due to a growing disconnect from the farm and food production, clientele have expressed a desire to become better educated about becoming more self-sufficient and expanding knowledge about the food production process. As a result, the Simpson County Extension Agent for Agri
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Weed Control Field Day
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Weed management continues to be one of the most persistent challenges facing specialty crop growers in Kentucky. To help address this, the Center for Crop Diversification (CCD) and the Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) partnered to take a group of farmers and Technical Advisors to the 2024 Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day at Purdue University. This regional event brought together manufacturers, researchers, and farmers to showcase mechanical cultivation tools and share hands-on tech
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KY Farm Launch
Author: Ricky Yeargan
Major Program: Small Farm Management
After serving as co-Project Director (PD) on a 3 year Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant and attending an annual PD meeting in Denver, we convened a group to submit another BFRDP proposal. Hands-on projects were very much in favor with the sponsor. Working with Food Connection, Horticulture Department, Sustainable Agriculture, Animal and Food Sciences Department and KY Sheep and Goat Development Office we applied for KY Farm Launch. It is a 9 month c
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Campbell County Farm & Livestock Expo Celebrates AG in Campbell County!
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Campbell County, Kentucky is the most northern county in the state and is experiencing the ripple effect of a growing population. New housing developments are being planned daily and the size of family farms are decreasing and increasing the gap between the urban and rural communities of the county. This causes a lack of knowledge about agriculture for the general population and a lack of resources for the agricultural population. The need arose to educate the non-farm audience while offering ag
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Working Together
Author: Michelle Brock
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Feeding livestock can be an expensive venture and when you have a big pasture that is getting overtaken by weeds its heartbreaking. Of course, there are all sorts of weed killers on the market but spraying acres of pasture can be very expensive and not to mention most local farmers don’t have the money or equipment needed to spray large fields. For example, a 2.5 gallon of weedkiller can cost up to $150.00 and the field can require up to 1-4 quarts per acre depending on the weed conc
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East Kentucky Farmer Conference growth continues with extension support
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Small Farm Management
East Kentucky continues to see a huge growth in the demand for local food; therefore, a resurgence of small part-time farmers has been growing, along with the commodity prices. Also, since COVID, we have seen a tremendous influx of families moving into Eastern Kentucky wanting the homestead lifestyle. With this, the East Kentucky Farmer Conference continues to grow annually. The Knott County ANR agent has served on the planning committee and taught numerous workshops on a variety of topics
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Homesteading 2025
Author: Audrey Wright
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Issue:Residents in the Buffalo Trace area showed strong interest in sustainable living and self-reliance but lacked hands-on skills. Rising food costs, food security concerns, and a desire to reconnect with agriculture created a clear need for education in gardening, food preservation, and small-scale meat processing.Program Description:The Buffalo Trace Homesteading Series was a hands-on educational program promoting self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship. Sessions covered gardening, fo
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