Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, AgriculturePlan of Work

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Clark County CES

Title:
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture Advancement
Agents Involved:
David Davis, Heather Cassill, Shannon Farrell, Clay Stamm, FCS
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:

Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for largest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. Sales of agriculture crops and livestock in Clark County exceed $32.4 million. There are more than 900 farms in Clark County with farm size averaging 164 acres. Commercial Horticulture, Agri-tourism, beekeeping, and equine are growing farming industries in the county. With recent legislative developments industrial hemp production is emerging as a crop of importance. In addition to the educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of traditional Clark County agricultural production (corn, soybeans, livestock, and forages), leaders in the agricultural community have identified educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of industrial hemp and other new opportunistic crops.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops

Increase in revenues for farm families

Increase number of new younger farmers into the agriculture industry.

Greater diversification of farming operations..

Individuals will engage in entreprenuerial enterprises.

Individuals will gain and maintain employment thru lifeskill development.

Individuals will be advecates for agriculture, healthy and sustainable food systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Investment in the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques

Adoption of best mangement production practices

Individuals will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Individuals can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

Individuals can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.

Initial Outcomes:

Learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities.

Gained knowlege of agricultural production

Gained knowlege of the most up to date production practices

Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Individuals will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Indicator: Increased knowledge and continued practice of agriculture production.

Method: Post Survey of Program/Project

Timeline: Completion of project/program


Initial Outcome: Youth will use and apply the skills gained from Livestock programs, demonstrate and share new abilities related to livestock with others, and practice the principals of livestock production

Indicator: Continued involvement in the livestock program

Method: Post Survey of Program

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Produers will learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities

Indicator: Program Particpation/Supporting Survey Response

Method: Post Survey

Timeline: Each event


Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowlege of up to date production practices

Indicator: Program Participation/Supporting Survey Response

Method: Post Survey

Timeline: Each Event


Intermediate Outcome: Producer Investment into the the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques

Indicator: Dollars Invested

Method: NASS, CAIP Producer Reports, Agricultural Statistics

Timeline: Annually, Biannually, 10 yrs


Intermediate Outcome: Adoption of best management production practices

Indicator: Changed Production Practices

Method: Survey

Timeline: Annually


Long-term Outcome: Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops

Indicator: Agricultural Business creation/expansion, Increased farm income

Method: Census of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Survey

Timeline: Once every 10 years, AnnuallyI

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 5-18 yr old youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Livestock Club, 4H Dog, 4H Chick Incubation, 4H Poultry Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders

Date: 2018-19


Audience: 4-H Age Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders

Date: 2018-19


Audience: 4-H Age Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Extension Facilities

Date: 2018-19


Audience: 3rd Grade Students

Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Day

Content or Curriculum: Industry Speakers, Ag Literacy Education Materials, 4-H Core Content

Inputs: Extension Staff, Industry Speakers, Gilkison Farm

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen/Master Marketer

Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen Curriculum

Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension staff, Agricultural Leaders, Community Sponsors

Date: Spring/Fall 2018, Spring/Fall 2019


Audience: Clark County Residents

Project or Activity: Winter School

Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Updates

Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Publications, Extension Staff, Clark Ag Advisory Council, Community Sponsors

Date: January/February 2019


Audience: Clark County Residents

Project or Activity: Gardening Classes

Content or Curriculum: Gardening Topics

Inputs: UK Publications, Extension Staff, Master Gardener Volunteers, Community Partners

Date: Spring/Summer 2018


Audience: Farmers/Farm Families

Project or Activity: Clark County Extension Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Demonstrations

Inputs: Producer Volunteer(s), UK Specialists, Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Extension Staff,

Date: July 2018, Summer 2018


Audience: Farmers/Farm Families

Project or Activity: Production Update Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Ongoing agricultural issues/updates

Inputs: Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Collaborative Agricultural Groups (Clark County Cattlemen, C.C. Farm Bureau, etc.), UK Specialists, Extension Staff, other Agri-businesses and agricultural professionals

Date: As needed


Audience: Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Beekeepers Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping

Inputs: UK Specialist, KY State Apiarist, Specialists, Ag leaders

Date: Third Monday of each Month



Success Stories

Summer School

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Beef

During the late spring of 2018 the Clark County Ag Advisory Council met to discuss past meetings, new membership, and upcoming ANR programing for the year. It was during this meeting that members of the council had the idea to restructure the way annual Clark County Extension Summer Field Day would be conducted. In this brainstorming process it was decided that instead of an all day Saturday program, the field day would be broken up into smaller evening meetings and would be given the name &ldqu

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Prussic Acid Toxicity Awareness

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Forages

The 2018 growing season created a flurry of problems for many farming operations in the area. Persistent wet conditions created delay after delay and many crops became set-back, damaged, or even completely flooded out. These weather conditions lead to a massive crop of Johnson grass in many pastures and hayfields that could not be grazed or cut in a timely manner because it was simply too wet to enter the field with equipment or livestock. The negative issue that this created was that Johnson gr

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Garden to Food Bank in Clark County

Author: David Davis

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Choosing to consume fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best decisions for an individual’s health.  However, fresh fruits and vegetables are relatively expensive, keeping some families in Clark County from being able to choose to purchase them.  This is especially the case for some families that struggle meeting basic living needs because of a limited income.  Many Clark County residents struggle to even provide these basic necessities for their families.  In 2019

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Clark County CES Assistance in Organizing Beekeepers Association Greatly Benefits Producers

Author: David Davis

Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping

In 2017, the Clark County Cooperative Extension Beekeeper Interest Group was established to provide a platform for further educating current beekeepers, and providing the opportunity for others to learn about beekeeping.  In 2018, Clark CES assisted in merging the group with the Powell County Beekeepers Association to become the Clark-Powell Beekeepers Association.  With assistance from Clark CES, this merger has now made it possible for the group to officially be recognized as a Beeke

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Farmer Forum

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Beef

After five years of serving as a Cooperative Extension Agent in two counties I couldn’t help but notice the trend of farmers networking heavily after various extension educational meetings. I would eves drop, and even get in on some of these producer conversations and began to realize that just as much learning was taking place during these peer-to-peer informal conversations than did in the actual planned educational events of the regularly scheduled meeting.  As I gave this further

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Youth Ag Day

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

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Clark County Extension 4-H Ag Day Makes Lasting Impression on Youth

Author: David Davis

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Between 2007 and 2012, the Kentucky has had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which was the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the U.S. during this time period (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky’s population continues to increase, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to

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Clark County Extension 4-H Ag Day Makes Lasting Impression on Youth

Author: Brandy Calvert

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Between 2007 and 2012, the Kentucky has had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which was the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the U.S. during this time period (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky’s population continues to increase, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to

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Clark County Extension 4-H Ag Day Makes Lasting Impression on Youth

Author: Shonda Johnston

Major Program: Farm Management

Between 2007 and 2012, the Kentucky has had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which was the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the U.S. during this time period (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky’s population continues to increase, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to

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Clark County CES Assists in Establishing a Farm to School Program

Author: David Davis

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Over the past 8 years, Clark County Extension Service has implemented various programs to assist fruit and vegetable farmers.  Previous efforts have included various black plastic mulch demonstrations for vegetable and strawberry production, season extension technology demonstrations, a small scale market garden mentor program, various “classroom” course offerings, tours, and more.  In follow up surveys from each of those programs, accessing suitable new small scale wholesa

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