Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
Agriculture Advancement
David Davis, Brandy Calvert, Shannon Farrell, Clay Stamm, Shonda Johnston
Beef
Commercial Horticulture
Home & Consumer Horticulture
4-H Volunteer Programming
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for largest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. Sales of agriculture crops and livestock in Clark County exceed $32.4 million. There are more than 900 farms in Clark County with farm size averaging 164 acres. Commercial Horticulture, Agri-tourism, beekeeping, and equine are growing farming industries in the county. With recent legislative developments industrial hemp production is emerging as a crop of importance. In addition to the educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of traditional Clark County agricultural production (corn, soybeans, livestock, and forages), leaders in the agricultural community have identified educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of industrial hemp and other new opportunistic crops.
Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops
Increase in revenues for farm families
Increase number of new younger farmers into the agriculture industry.
Greater diversification of farming operations..
Individuals will engage in entreprenuerial enterprises.
Individuals will gain and maintain employment thru lifeskill development.
Individuals will be advecates for agriculture, healthy and sustainable food systems.
Investment in the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques
Adoption of best mangement production practices
Individuals will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Individuals can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Individuals can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities.
Gained knowlege of agricultural production
Gained knowlege of the most up to date production practices
Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Individuals will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
Initial Outcome: Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Indicator: Increased knowledge and continued practice of agriculture production.
Method: Post Survey of Program/Project
Timeline: Completion of project/program
Initial Outcome: Youth will use and apply the skills gained from Livestock programs, demonstrate and share new abilities related to livestock with others, and practice the principals of livestock production
Indicator: Continued involvement in the livestock program
Method: Post Survey of Program
Timeline: Annually
Initial Outcome: Produers will learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities
Indicator: Program Particpation/Supporting Survey Response
Method: Post Survey
Timeline: Each event
Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowlege of up to date production practices
Indicator: Program Participation/Supporting Survey Response
Method: Post Survey
Timeline: Each Event
Intermediate Outcome: Producer Investment into the the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques
Indicator: Dollars Invested
Method: NASS, CAIP Producer Reports, Agricultural Statistics
Timeline: Annually, Biannually, 10 yrs
Intermediate Outcome: Adoption of best management production practices
Indicator: Changed Production Practices
Method: Survey
Timeline: Annually
Long-term Outcome: Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops
Indicator: Agricultural Business creation/expansion, Increased farm income
Method: Census of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Survey
Timeline: Once every 10 years, AnnuallyI
Audience: 5-18 yr old youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Livestock Club, 4H Dog, 4H Chick Incubation, 4H Poultry Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders
Date: 2018-19
Audience: 4-H Age Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders
Date: 2018-19
Audience: 4-H Age Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Extension Facilities
Date: 2018-19
Audience: 3rd Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Day
Content or Curriculum: Industry Speakers, Ag Literacy Education Materials, 4-H Core Content
Inputs: Extension Staff, Industry Speakers, Gilkison Farm
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen/Master Marketer
Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen Curriculum
Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension staff, Agricultural Leaders, Community Sponsors
Date: Spring/Fall 2018, Spring/Fall 2019
Audience: Clark County Residents
Project or Activity: Winter School
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Updates
Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Publications, Extension Staff, Clark Ag Advisory Council, Community Sponsors
Date: January/February 2019
Audience: Clark County Residents
Project or Activity: Gardening Classes
Content or Curriculum: Gardening Topics
Inputs: UK Publications, Extension Staff, Master Gardener Volunteers, Community Partners
Date: Spring/Summer 2018
Audience: Farmers/Farm Families
Project or Activity: Clark County Extension Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Demonstrations
Inputs: Producer Volunteer(s), UK Specialists, Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Extension Staff,
Date: July 2018, Summer 2018
Audience: Farmers/Farm Families
Project or Activity: Production Update Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Ongoing agricultural issues/updates
Inputs: Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Collaborative Agricultural Groups (Clark County Cattlemen, C.C. Farm Bureau, etc.), UK Specialists, Extension Staff, other Agri-businesses and agricultural professionals
Date: As needed
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Beekeepers Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping
Inputs: UK Specialist, KY State Apiarist, Specialists, Ag leaders
Date: Third Monday of each Month
Author: Shannon Farrell
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
While agricultural classes are offered in many high schools across Kentucky, there has been a void of educating and preparing young individuals on in-depth step by step farming endeavors. Furthermore, farming has often been considered a career where only minimal education is needed to take care of animals and/or the land, it has contrarily evolved into a very prestigious occupation that requires countless hours, enormous expenses, and great risks. When managed efficiently, signi
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Beef
During the Fall of 2019 I was contacted by Dr Darrah Bullock, a University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Beef Specialist to host a extension style beef meeting, of course I committed to the offer as soon as I could because I know the quality of programing that the University beef specialist continuously put out. After settling on a date and time and talking with Dr Bullock further I realized that this wasn’t going to be traditional extension meeting. As a matter of fact, none of the sp
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Soils
Soil Sampling. When most people think of an Agriculture Extension Agent this is one of the first services that they associate with the occupation, and rightfully so considering the average Extension Service in Kentucky will evaluate anywhere from 200-1000 soil sample results per year. As simple, and straight forward as these test and results may be for extension agents and longtime Kentucky farmers, interpreting these results presents a roadblock when a language barrier is present.I was able to
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Beef
My beef program is by far my strongest extension program in Clark County. Being one of the largest cow-calf producing counties in the state, Clark County farmers are always anxious to learn how to make their herds production exceed years past. This creates a perfect environment for successful extension programming and the Beef Night of Winter School 2020 proved to be just that!With the ongoing advertisements of many alternative meat options that are being adopted by numerous long standing fast-f
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Beef
Social Media platforms have been an underutilized tool by many Cooperative Extension Offices for some time now. Many offices have had social media pages for several years but because of the time restraints of the job, many have failed to keep these pages up to date with fresh, relevant content for the page’s followers. With the onset of the Corona-virus pandemic, many Extension workers were advised to work from home as much as possible to help avid the spread of the sickness. This order fo
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The spring of 2020 brought about quite a bit of change and turmoil in the Clark County Cooperative Extension Office. The Covid-19 pandemic changed the way we reach our clientele to say the least, and agents were forced to make key changes to their program or be left behind. While this was happening, I had another special set of circumstances I was forced to adapt to. My longtime co-worker and horticulture agent David Davis left Clark County Cooperative Extension to take a job elsewhere. With his
