Breckinridge County CES

Title:

Keys to maintaining a successful workforce

MAP:

Preparing Employees for Success in Employment

Agents Involved:

Hinton

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Tobacco

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Farm Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Community Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Master Gardener

Situation:

Breckinridge county continues to have diverse income from livestock, grain and tobacco, with Livestock sales of $45 million, $ 8.1 million in tobacco sales and finally $ 22.9 million in sales of grain and oilseeds(Census of Agriculture, 2012). As we continue to improve the genetics on farms, we look for more opportunities to add value along the production chain of crops and livestock. As prices for inputs stabilize we need a combined effort to improve the value of both crops and livestock. In our county, we have identified 50 young farm families that are set to improve their family farms and begin the transition of the operation.

As families continue to grow so does the farming operation. With farm enterprise expansion always brings with it the need for more trained employees. Breckinridge, Meade and Grayson County becomes the temporary home to over 300 H2A temporary workers. With this influx, the need became evident that many farms need assistance in managing workers. Also as farms begin to expand, so does the need for new technology. Farmers and their employees are looking for assistance in adopting new technologies to increase their net farm income.

As children and grandchildren of farm families graduate from high school and/or college and return to the farm, it is important that they keep Extension in their tool box for a profitable farming operation. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farm will in the long-term remain in the business and this can only be done by decreasing farm inputs, while increasing net farm income. Farms must be able to do some on farm testing of GPS, Drones, and new technologies.  The younger generation will become a valuable asset to the farming operations in the county as they become trained in new technologies. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers will encourage workers to obtain training, farmers work with Farm Business analysis to determine their farm progress. Farmers will bring in their bookkeepers to learn new accounting programs. Workers continue to attend training on learning a new language and then begin to bring friends to events.  Workers will be able to learn the payroll program and assist in filling out the form to help with paperwork. 

Initial Outcomes:

Migrant English class will be promoted on farms by farmers, Ag Agent and Migrant Education program, and the program will increase in location and size. The Payroll program (designed by L. Powers and C. Hinton) will be added to more farms record keeping system. New technology will be introduced onto farms.  Tobacco farms will register and go through their GAP audit.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: increase in numbers at meetings

Indicator: People ask for assistance on Payroll programs

Method: phone roster and CEU sheets at meetings

Timeline: July through June

Intermediate Outcome: New people coming to programs

Indicator: More NEW people ask about Payroll programs, more communities work to add an English class for their local clientele with volunteers

Method: phone roster and CEU sheets on at meetings

Timeline: July through June

Long-term Outcome: Farms see a greater ease with AUDITS, 

Indicator: Less fines levied greater success with Audits.  GAP Audits are passed with a great ease.  

Method: Word of mouth, producer interview, 

Timeline: July through June 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: H2A migrant farm workers

Project or Activity: Migrant English classes

Content or Curriculum: Books and videos provided from UK and/or tobacco companies

Inputs: Agents, Migrant Education program-Glasgow area

Date: July through June

Audience: Farm owners

Project or Activity: Farm Management programs related to record

Content or Curriculum: Timely topics from tax preparers

Inputs: AG Agent, Farm Management Specialists, Trained farmers

Date: July through June

Audience: Local farmers

Project or Activity: Do Drones have a place on farms

Content or Curriculum: Work with local people and UK Bio-systems and Engineering

Inputs: Local CEC and UK specialists

Date: July through June

Audience:  Local Farms

Project or Activity:  GPS and other technology upgrade or additions to the farm.  

Inputs:  UK specialists and Local Dealers

Date:  July through June

Audience:  Area Tobacco Farmers

Project or Activity:  Employee and Employer Training; Common GAP state wide training.    

Content: Programs for Tobacco farmers and the employees to stay up to date on educational requirements according to Common GAP.  

Inputs:  Common GAP, interpreters, local EFNEP assistant, UK Specialists and agents.  

Date:  August 2019

Success Stories