Henry County CES

Title:

A Well Farmed Countryside

MAP:

Sustainable Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Levi Berg

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Sustainable Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forestry Industry Education

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Ag Marketing

Situation:

In brainstorming and futuring sessions groups and individuals both farm and non-farm, identified their desire to see Henry County identified their desire was to see Henry County remain a “well farmed” countryside. Over the past few years, we see a decrease in dependence on tobacco and more emphasis being placed on animal ag, forages, and alternative cropping systems, and farms are looking for more direct to consumer marketing, increased value added enterprises.

Long-Term Outcomes:

There is a diverse number of crops being used. Farm profitability increases due to increased farm production and management techniques. Animal production markets increase with value-added and diverse animal production. Farm numbers increase do to retention and growth.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Animal production increases due to feed efficiency. Producers use more record keeping materials to improve money flow and asses farm inefficiencies. Farmers' market increases vendors and amounts of produce being sold.

Initial Outcomes:

Individuals begin to understand different cropping systems, potential crops, management techniques to conserve farm land,Senior and WIC farmers' market nutrition program coupons are handed out and used, and Farm Service Agency and NRCS increased numbers of individuals looking to utilize their programs.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Individuals understand alternative cropping systems, state and federal programs, and farmers' market vendors increase training to accept senior and WIC coupons

Method: surveys before and after programs. Number of attendees to WIC and Senior Trainings

Timeline: Feb and March 2019

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Increased number of vendors at the farmers' market, Number of farms being retained, increased animal efficiency, and increased record keeping software useage.

Method: surveys six months after programs and use reports from the Henry County Farmers' Market, NCRS and FSA

Timeline: Oct and Nov 2019

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: More diverse crops are being used, and farmers are increasing profit through more efficient practices.

Method: Reports for NRCS, FSA, KDA, and Census Data

Timeline: Dec 2019

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Nutrition program training

Content or Curriculum: KDA information about the programs

Inputs: KDA, Extension Agents, Farmers' Market vendors, and Heath department

Date: Feb 2019

Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Diverse Crop Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Extension Specialist

Inputs: Extension specialist, local marketing experts, and KDA

Date: June 2019

Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Government Funding Programs

Content or Curriculum: KDA, NRCS, and FSA information

Inputs: Local Government, local extension, KDA, NRCS, and FSA,

Date: Jan 2019

Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Forestry Workshop

Content or Curriculum: KDA, UK Extension, and Kentucky Department of Forestry information

Inputs: KDA, Extension Agents, Kentucky Department of Forestry

Date: Feb 2019

Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Pond Nutrient Management Workshop

Content or Curriculum: KDA, UK Extension, and Kentucky Department of Forestry information

Inputs: KDA, Extension Agents, Kentucky Department of Forestry

Date: June 2018

Success Stories