Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Livestock Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley, Mandi Broderick
Forages
Beef
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Food Preservation
Lewis County is home to 676 farms operating on 117,955 acres with the average farm size being 174 acres. The County Extension Council and the Agriculture Advisory Committee identified crop and livestock production as major components of Lewis County agriculture production. To increase profits it is important for farms to be efficient and increase yield as well as diversify. Youth need to recognize the impact that agriculture has on our daily lives as well as agriculture in the commonwealth. It is also important that farm families are able to save money and add value to their products and utilize food preservation techniques that allow them to do that.
Profits will be sustained during tough economic times and increased during strong markets. Producers will get a premium price for their products.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Lewis Countians will be able to market/sell locally produced garden products that have been safely preserved.
Youth and farmers will improve cow/calf operations by using better genetics, improved feed efficiencies, record keeping, and animal health.
Youth and adults will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food in the areas of animal science.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Lewis Countians will safely preserve fresh, locally grown food products.
Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and sustainable food systems in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth will learn valuable skills including decision making, record-keeping and leadership skills.
Lewis Countians will learn to safely and properly preserve food products.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Knowledge and skills will be gained in the area of food production.
Method: Self Reporting and Project books
Timeline: Fall 2020
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Youth will turn in record books and be able to offer reasons during showmanship.
Method:Observation
Timeline: Fall 2018
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Lewis Countians learn to safely preserve fresh, local food products.
Method: Observation
Timeline: Fall 2019
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Change in data collected before and after East Ky Beef IRM Project.
Method: Data from Eastern Kentucky Beef IRM Project
Timeline: Fall 2019
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Youth Livestock Club participants will explain role of agriculture to 5th graders during Field Day.
Method: Observation
Timeline: Fall 2019
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: There are fewer disqualified preserved items at the county fair due to improper techniques used.
Method: County fair entry data
Timeline: Fall 2019
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Profits are sustained or increased during tough economic times.
Method: Agent interviews and number of farms are maintained in the county.
Timeline: Winter 2020
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Profits are obtained by selling canned goods at the Farmers Market and other eligible venues.
Method: Self reporting and observation
Timeline: Summer 2020
Audience: Cow/Calf Operators
Project or Activity: East Ky. Beef IRM
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum on beef production
Inputs: agent time, UK specialist time, and Ky. Beef Network
Date: Winter 2019
Audience: Women Farm Managers
Project or Activity: Farm School for Women
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum and USDA
Inputs: Ag. Agent time, USDA office time, local farm businesses
Date: Fall 2018
Audience: Youth Livestock participants
Project or Activity: Livestock Projects, feeder calf, hogs, lambs, and goats
Content or Curriculum: 4-H approved core curriculum for livestock
Inputs: 4-H curriculum, club leader volunteer, volunteer time, 4-H agent time, program assistant time, ag. agent time.
Date: Fall 2019
Audience: Lewis County 5th graders
Project or Activity: Youth Field Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Kit and curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent time, Ag. Agent time, FCS Agent time, Program Assistant Time, SNAP assistant time, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Woodmen of the World, Local farmers, Livestock project participants.
Date: Fall 2019
Audience: Lewis County Citizens
Project or Activity: Food Preservation workshop and Micro-processing workshop
Content or Curriculum: Extension Food Preservation curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent time, UK Specialist, Preservation equipment and supplies, UK curriculum
Date: Summer 2020
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Beef
The Lewis County Agriculture & Natural Resources agent approached the Lewis County Cattlemen’s Association and Rip’s Farm Center with the thought of teaching farmers the proper way to build and utilize electric fence. The three organizations worked in collaboration to set up a hands-on demonstration field day. The demonstration was set up on the George Sparks farm. The ANR agent coordinated with a local fence builder and set post, advertised the event, and worked with Rip&rs
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Lewis County Field Day was set up and planed by the Lewis County Agriculture Council and Lewis County ANR Agent. It was held on a local farm in the county. At the event local farmers learned about Goat as a profitable income, how to properly calibrate their sprayers, how a drone could be used on the farm. Several local businesses set up at the event to let farmers see what is available to them. The local health department and local doctors set up to give farmers free flu shots, blood pressur
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Woodland Education
About the 2019 Getting to Know Your Woodlands Webinar Series: A Primer for BeginnersThe 2019 Getting to Know Your Woodlands Webinar Series: A Primer for Beginners was targeted at Kentucky’s private woodland owners and designed to assist private woodland owners in the management of their woodlands as well as those with an interest in forests and wildlife. It was a partnership of UK Forestry Extension and numerous Forestry Extension Units from other nearby universities and the Southern Regio
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Growing crops on plastic and using drip irrigation is not a common practices used on our farms in the region. Due the planned hemp crop that will be grown using this technology, a plastic culture field day was planned to share information with area growers. Over 100 growers from 11 Kentucky counties and 2 Ohio Counties attended a regional field day in Bracken County that highlighted the requirements, machinery, and methods used for Plastic Culture crop production. Each segment
