Agriculture Diversification
Agriculture Profitability & Marketing
Heather Graham
Beef
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Ag Marketing
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)
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)
Residents will start new ventures to diversify their existing operations.
(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)
Residents will gain knowledge about niche market opportunities and how they can succeed.
(Reviewed 04/2017, HG, JM)
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)
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)
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
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