Agriculture DiversificationPlan of Work

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Wolfe County CES

Title:
Agriculture Diversification
MAP:
Agriculture Profitability & Marketing
Agents Involved:
Heather Graham
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Ag Marketing
Situation:

Wolfe County is not known for large scale production agriculture but it has great potential to diversify agriculture production through niche markets. With the drive for local food and products on the rise, resident of Wolfe County can enter these niche markets and opportunities. There has been an increased interest in our area for fruit/veggie production, honey and honeybees, local soaps/lotions/etc., as well as other products.

There are local artisan fairs that are held in Wolfe County and surrounding areas where products could be showcased and sold.

(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)

Long-Term Outcomes:

Wolfe Countians will gain and utilize new skills needed to move and expand into niche markets while increasing their profits.

(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)

Intermediate Outcomes:

Residents will start new ventures to diversify their existing operations.

(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)

Initial Outcomes:

Residents will gain knowledge about niche market opportunities and how they can succeed.

(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Residents will gain knowledge and interest and look into new (diversified) endeavors

Indicator: Number of residents indicating they will start an new endeavor

Method: Pre & post surveys

Timeline: January 2018


Intermediate Outcome: Residents will seek out opportunities to start new ventures

Indicator: Number of residents making/selling/marketing their products

Method: Observation

Timeline: 2017-2018


Long-term Outcome: Residents will see increased profitability through their niche markets

Indicator: Number of residents indicating that they have increased profits

Method: Pre & post surveys

Timeline: 2017-2020

(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Wolfe County residents and farmers

Date: 2017-2020

Project or Activity:

- Ag. Diversification classes (ie- grape/wine production, honey and honey bees, sheep/goat production, etc.).

- Classes on how to turn something into a marketable/sellable product (ie- making soap out of goat milk)

- Marketing classes (how to market your final product)

(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)



Success Stories

Summer Sausage Workshop

Author: Heather Graham

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Over the past decade, people have taken more interest in where their food comes from and what is in their food.  In Wolfe 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.Two years ago the Wolfe County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent H

Full Story

Seed Saving Workshop

Author: Heather Graham

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Home grown vegetables is one of the the many things to look forward during the summer months. In Eastern Kentucky, there is heritage and tradition surrounding the family garden- what is grown, how it's grown, etc. It is common for people to save their seeds, especially of the heirloom varieties, from one year to the next. This helps to keep the tradition of the family garden alive, and can also help to reduce the input costs of the garden (not having to purchase seeds). Heriloom varities can

Full Story
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