Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture Production and Marketing
Improving Agriculture Sustainability
Verlene Congleton, David Coffey
Science, Engineering and Technology 4-H Core Curriculum
Beef
Local Food Systems
Farmer's Markets
Each Fall and Spring, 4-H Classrooms are offered the opportunity to do the 4-H Chick Incubation project from the Science, Engineering and Technology curriculum. Teachers/club leaders wanted youth to learn about life sciences and agriculture and want the youth to get 'hands-on 'experience.
Jackson County's agriculture industry continues to transition from a tobacco-dependent county. Tobacco has become one small fraction of the total farm income. This has led to a need for producers to consider other farm enterprises if the farm family economy is going to be sustained. Funding through the Phase I portion of the Tobacco Settlement has made an impact in helping producers transition into various farm enterprises. The Jackson County AG Development Council continues to provide funding opportunities that will be available to all farmers and farm families. Along with funding, educating producers in these new areas of production and marketing is essential for success.
Producers make creative use of all farm resources to maximize land use for agriculture production. There will be an expansion of agriculture production opportunities into new areas. Producers develop production and marketing skills for new farm enterprises.
Producers practice basic management techniques and learn to incorporate new ones. Producers make transition from tobacco into other agriculture enterprises. Grow quality produce and market locally and regionally as efforts are made to link local producers with local consumers.
Producers learn about innovative production practices and develop responsible and sustainable attitudes in agriculture enterprises Producers will become aware of new marketing opportunities for farm products.
Initial Outcome: Youth learn about the life science of chickens
Indicator: Knowledge of hatching chickens
Method: Incubator
Timeline: Fall/Spring
Intermediate Outcome: Youth learn how to hatch chickens and sell to consumers
Indicator: Number of chickens hatched successfully
Method: Chick incubator/record keeping
Timeline: Fall/Spring
Initial Outcome: Youth learn about different types of soil and drainage needed for specific crops.
Indicator: State 4-H Land Judging Contest Results
Method: Site Test
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Long-Term Outcome: Youth become highly knowledgeable in the adaptation of different soils.
Indicator: National 4-H Land Judging Contest
Method: Site Test
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Long-Term Outcome: Supplemental crop acreages and income opportunities will be available for local producers
Indicator: Increases in crops grown for newly-developed local markets will be noted.
Method: Crop acreage and number of producers participating will be increased.
Timeline: An annual assessment of each crop program will be made.
Audience: 4-H age youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology
Inputs: 4-H Agent and Leaders
Date: Fall/Spring
Audience: High School youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Land Judging Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Land Judging Publication
Resources: Ky 4-H Foundation, and Jackson County FFA program/volunteers.
Inputs: 4-H Leader and Agent
Date: Summer/Fall
Audience: Producers of farm products, tobacco-dependent farmers, 4H’ers
Project or Activity: Continue to conduct all Phase I projects and expand existing activities with local Phase I Committee
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and AG Development Committee
Date: Monthly and as-needed basis
Project or Activity: Promote the Jackson County Regional Food Center
Content or Curriculum: ANR agent, 3AJC Committee and local resource people
Date: Throughout the Year
Project or Activity: Education Programs for utilizing new Multi-Purpose AG Facility
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and 3AJC
Date: Throughout the Year
Project or Activity: Winter meetings with area crop producers
Content or Curriculum: WTA ANR Agents and UK Specialists
Date: February
Project or Activity: On-farm Demonstrations with E KY Beef IRM Program and various crops
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and UK Specialists
Date: Throughout the Year
Project or Activity: Expand Producers Base for Farmers’ Market
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Extension staff
Date: Spring and Summer
Project or Activity: Empowerment Zone Agriculture Projects
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Local Resource People
Date: 5 per year
Project or Activity: Educational Programs
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association implementing programs that benefit all beef producers
Date: Quarterly Meetings
Project or Activity: Plant Distribution Program
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent
Date: Spring
Project or Activity: Conduct Grafting Workshop and Rootstock Distribution
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent
Date: March
Project or Activity: Promote Beekeeping and bee educational programs
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Dark Honey Producers
Date: Monthly Meetings FEB-OCT and a Spring Meeting
Audience: 4-H Age Youth and adults
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Project
Inputs: 4-H Agent/Ag Agent/FCS Agent and Snap-Ed Assistant
Date: Fall/Winter
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Soils
Soil testing is one of the most important management tools for an agriculture operation. It ensures that producers apply the nutrients needed, without wasting money on excess nutrients. Jackson County had only 64 soil test analysis in 2016. With a clear need for more people to utilize this management tool, the Jackson county agriculture agent worked closely with the Jackson County Conservation District and Jackson County Kentucky Farm Bureau again to receive a grant to provide free soil testing
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Farm Management
With help from the Agriculture advisory council, the Jackson County ANR extension agent developed an Interactive Farm Management program. This program had an initial meeting in March where 16 producers were in attendance. Management ideas were given to producers and each producer set a long-term and a short-term goal for their operation during the meeting. The agriculture agent then made routine visits for the remainder of the year to each producer to help them plan and implement their goals. Th
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Woodland Education
Jackson county has an abundance of timber, lying directly in the middle of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Jackson county agriculture and natural resources agent worked with the Kentucky division of forestry and university specialists to host the woodland steward’s webinar series. Jackson county hosted three of the series events and had twelve in attendance each night. Those present consisted of timber land owners and certified Kentucky Master Loggers. 90% of the county’s maste
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Beef
After the Master Tobacco Settlement, many tobacco farmers diversified into beef cattle or increased their herd size. County Agriculture Investment Programs (CAIP) have helped producers purchase bulls and heifers through cost share arrangements. Much work has been done on heifer development; however work on bull selection has lagged. Navigating Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) is difficult and producers usually choose to purchase through visual appraisal alone. A bull will p
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Ag Policy
The County Agriculture Investment Program (CAIP) continues to be a great program for the people of Jackson County. As of July 1st, for the 2018-2019 program, 140 producers were approved for $1440.00 each. Of the 140 producers, $201,189 has been spent on Agriculture improvement projects in Jackson County and were reimbursed for $76,009 through the CAIP program. The Agriculture agent has worked closely with the Agriculture development council and the CAIP program administrator to help producers fo
