Supporting Local AgriculturePlan of Work

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Rowan County CES

Title:
Supporting Local Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
ANR agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forages
Situation:

Results of a needs assessment survey prioritize Commercial Horticulture, New Crops Opportunities, Community and Economic Development, Hay and Pasture Management, and Beef Cattle Production for extension program efforts. Members of both the ANR program council and Ag Development Council have also stated that promoting agriculture and increasing awareness of ag projects is a long term goal.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Practices adopted by producers will lead to more sustainable (and profitable) farm operations and increased public awareness of agriculture and natural resources impacts in the county.

These changes will result in one or more of the following:

Increases in the number of producers adopting recommended practices.

Increases in public awareness of local agriculture and farmers.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Program participants will adopt recommended practices related to their enterprise such as soil testing, integrated pest management, forage production, hay testing, and animal health care. Producers adopt researched based production and marketing practices known to increase profitability. Public awareness, impact and opportunities associated with agriculture and natural resources will be enhanced.

Initial Outcomes:

Participants gain knowledge about current and emerging crop production practices, livestock and woodland management practices. Council members will practice leadership skills promoting agriculture awareness.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants increase knowledge about aspects of agriculture and recommended practices.

Indicator: # of people adopting one or more recommended practices 

Method: formal and informal surveys

Timeline: on going


Intermediate Outcome: Increased customer base supporting local food enterprises.

Indicator: # of people with increased awareness of agriculture and natural resources

Method: direct observation

Timeline: on going


Long-term Outcome: Program participants reduce costs and/or increase profitability. Participants increase awareness of the impacts of agriculture in the community.

Indicator: positive economic impact of extension programs and enhanced understanding of agriculture in the community

Method: formal and informal survey

Timeline: on going

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers Market customers, general public, WIC participants

Project or Activity: WIC redemption promotion day, Youth/Ag Days

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations, exhibits, healthy eating, health screening, ag exhibits

Inputs: Health Dept, Farmers Market leaders, KSU snap ed person, extension information

Date: Summer 2019


Audience: Turf professionals, people in the county

Project or Activity: bermudagrass demonstration for athletic turf 

Content or Curriculum: demonstration on growing bermudagrass

Inputs: county program support funds, UK specialists, city employees, volunteers

Date: summer 2019


Audience: WIC/Senior FMNP participants

Project or Activity: Double Dollars program

Content or Curriculum: Leverage WIC/Senior vouchers with Double Dollars script

Inputs: Community Farm Alliance/Farmers Market volunteers

Date: Summer 2019


Audience: Beef producers/CAIP recipients

Project or Activity: Required Educational Videos 

Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance and Care, Farm Infrastructure, Farm Fencing and Water, Forage and Grain 

Inputs: Videos and agent developed programming

Date: Summer/Fall 2019

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