Extension
It Starts With Us
Management and Marketing
Agriculture Profitabililty
Courtney Brock, Rita Stewart
Beef
Chemical Crop Management Tools
4-H Volunteer Programming
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Farmers need to have profitable farming operations to have a sustainable income. The county is dependent on a strong agricultural economy as around 30% of the county’s economy is directly related to agriculture. Farming generates over $35 million of gross receipts annually. Tobacco has been the main income producer for decades, but due to decreased demand, it is now of lesser importance and is grown on about 65 farms. The largest income producing commodity is beef production. It involves over 600 farm operations that have over 26,000 head of cows and over 57,000 head of all cattle and calves The county is one of the state’s largest dairy producing counties with 36 operations. Lincoln is a large alfalfa producer with over 11,000 acres. There is also over 34,000 acres of improved hay crops. There are over 17,000 acres of grain crops for cash and livestock useage. Farmers need to manage their cash crops and forages for the best production results. Farmers need to take advantage of the county’s strong forage base and expand the livestock enterprises. More efficient management of livestock production needs to be worked on to provide better profits. Farmers need to evaluate non-traditional farming enterprises to determine if they can fit into their operations but most importantly, be profitable. Increased production leads to a need for better marketing. Efficient and improved marketing systems can offer better opportunities for greater profits for farmers. The County Agricultural Extension Council and farm organization leadership have worked with the agent to determine program priorities and given input into developing educational and service programs to help farmers improvement management and marketing skills.
Farmers will improve their profitability through better production and marketing management; thus maintaining a strong agricultural economy in the county. Farm profitability is enhanced and farmers obtain sustainability of their agriculture and economic development.
Farmers will adopt Extension recommendation, utilize best management practices and apply new technology to increase agricultural production, enhance marketing efforts and create greater profitability.
Farmers will increase knowledge of improved management systems and learn how to better utilize marketing opportunities for crops and livestock.
Long-Term Outcome: Farmers will improve their profitability through better production and marketing management; thus maintaining a strong agricultural economy in the county. Farm profitability is enhanced and farmers obtain sustainability of their agriculture and economic development.Evidence that farmers have improved profitability through adopting recommended practices leading to better production and marketing management.
Method: Observations and ag statistics
Timeline: All Year
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will adopt Extension recommendation, utilize best management practices and apply new technology to increase agricultural production, enhance marketing efforts and create greater profitability.
Indicator: Producers will implement improved management practices.
Method: Observations, case studies, participation in cost-share programs to adopt recommended practices.
Timeline: All Year, evaluation of cost-share programs at the end of the year.
Initial Outcome: Farmers will increase knowledge of improved management systems and learn how to better utilize marketing opportunities for crops and livestock.
Indicator: Gain evidence through observations and testimonies with producers determining their knowledge of recommended practices and marketing opportunities.
Method: Observations, discussions with farmers, case studies
Timeline: All Year
Audience: 4-H members and leaders
Activity: Incubation and Embryology Programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Demonstration supplies, UK Poultry Farm fertilized eggs, and financial support from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used: Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Schools, UK Poultry Farm
Date: Spring
Audience: 4-H members, leaders, and parents
Activity: 4-H AG Field Day
Content or Curriculum: The Annual 4-H Adventures in Agriculture Field Day helps provide agriculture education to all county 3rd grade students
Inputs: Community Partners include 4-H Council Members, local business owners, county banks, Lincoln County Schools, Lincoln County Cattlemen’s Association, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, and others
Facilities used: Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Lincoln County Schools, etc.
Date: Spring
Audience: 4-H members, leaders and parents
Activity: 4-H County/District Beef, Lamb, Goat, Poultry, Rabbit, Horse, and Dairy Shows
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum & KDA Materials
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities.
Date: Spring and Summer
Audience: 4-H members, leaders and parents
Activity: 4-H Judging and Quiz Bowl Teams
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities.
Date: Spring and Summer
Audience: 4-H members, leaders and parents
Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities.
Date: January-August
Audience: Farmers, Agribusinesses
Activity: Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Forage, Tobacco, Livestock Systems, Horticulture
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities.
Date: All year
Audience: Farmers and Agribusiness
Activity: State Corn Silage Variety Test
Content: Corn silage production management
Inputs: I serve as project leader securing seed corn entries and funding from agribusinesses. Team of agents and Dr. Lee plant and harvest plot and secure quality tests. Dr. Lee, Nick Roy and I prepare research report and farmer bulletin and present information to the media.
Facilities: 3 farms for test plots, Extension Offices, U.K. ag equipment
Date: March-December
Audience-Farmers, Agribusinesses
Activity: Farmer Educational Conferences
Content or Curriculum: Dairy and Forage Topics
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities.
Date: February
Audience: Farmers and agribusiness
Activity: Farmer-Lender-Extension Field Day
Content: Farming updates and management information on crops and livestock
Inputs: Agent and specialist presentations, on farm demo supplies and funding from Extension and agribusiness, operational funding from agricultural lenders, farm families providing host farm and demo and event labor and facilities.
Facilities: host farm for demos, tours, and meal
Date: July/August
Audience: Farmers and Agribusinesses representatives in Lincoln, Boyle, Garrard, Casey and Mercer County
Activity: Crops Conferences
Content or Curriculum: Forage and Grain Topics
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Extension Offices for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities.
Date: January
Audience-Farmers and Agribusiness representatives in Lincoln, Boyle, Garrard, Rockcastle, Pulaski, Casey, Madison and Mercer County
Activity: Tobacco Updates
Content or Curriculum: Tobacco Topics
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days;Extension Offices for meeting facilities.
Date: January
Audience: Farmers and Agribusinesses (Local and or 5 county)
Activity: Beef Update Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Cow Calf Management and Backgrounding Management & Marketing
Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board.
Facilities used:
Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days;Extension Offices for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities.
Date: January & February
Audience: Farmers and agribusiness
Activity: Lincoln County Beef Expo
Content: beef educational demos and updates on production, marketing and promotion, Cattlemen's Annual Meeting, agribusiness trade show.
Facilities: Lincoln County Fairgrounds, agribusiness equipment, Cattlemen's materials and equipment.
Date: September
Audience: Cattlemen's Board and Ag Development Board
Activity: Beef production spring educational tour for LCCA Board and LCADB; fall educational tour for LCCA Board
Content: Spring-1 day tour to Kentucky county with agent and producers showing improved practices. Fall-2 day out of state tour with agents, specialists and producers showing improved practices.
Inputs: Finances provided by Extension Lincoln County Ag Development Board and LCCA and participants.
Facilities: Extension vans, host farms, Extension facilities, agri business facilities.
Date: April & October
Audience: Farmers, agribusiness, general public
Activity: Fairs (county, state, NAILE)
Content: Livestock shows and floral exhibits
Inputs: Financing from fair association and KDA. Agents, assistants and leaders operating the activities.
Facilities: fairgrounds, Extension facilities
Date: July, August, November
Author: Rita Stewart
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Although the position of County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources has been vacant the past year, efforts in this program area have continued. Lincoln County Support Staff, County Extension Agents for 4-H/Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences, and many community leaders have worked to make sure the needs of our clients have been met. Services provided include: 525 soil samples, 20 insect identifications, 15 plant disease diagnoses, 5 weed identifications, an
Author: Tyler Miller
Major Program: Beef
Not long after I started with Extension back in January, the area meetings held between Lincoln, Boyle, Garrard, and Mercer Counties had kicked in full swing. As a new ag agent to the area I had the oppurtunity to see how these meetings where structured with a hands offs pressure off type of feeling. This was very benefical for me because the other more experianced agents filled me in on who the specalist were, what needed signed, and how we split the bill for the food. I was able to conccet wit
Author: Tyler Miller
Major Program: Forages
According to census data our popluation in Lincoln County has decreased just very so slightly. I would not have guess this to be true because it seems like almost weekly I am talking with someone new to the area and wants to know more about how to make their farm productive. I call these folks "First Timers". I love these calls because I know this is my chance to hook them on Extension. I have worked with producers wanting help identifying weeds, to helping them with farm financials, t
Author: Courtney Brock
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Although agriculture is big business in Lincoln County, only 30% of 4-H members live on a farm. This number is even lower for non-members. Even though nearly one-third of the economy is agriculture-based, many youth do not realize the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives. The Annual 4-H Adventures in Agriculture Field Day helps provide agriculture education to more than 300 third graders in the county with over $2,500 in funding from various agriculture-related community businesses an
