Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
Agriculture Advancement
David Davis, Jennifer Howard, Heather Cassill, Shannon Farrell, Clay Stamm
Beef
Commercial Horticulture
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
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 Buisness 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
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders
Date: 2016-17
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: 2016-17
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: 2017
Audience: 3rd Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Day
Content or Curriculum: Industry Speakers, Ag Literacy Edcuaction Materials, 4-H Core Content
Inputs: Extension Staff, Industry Speakers, Gilkison Farm
Date: Spring 2017
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 2017, Spring/Fall 2018
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 2016, January/February 2017
Audience: Clark County Residents
Project or Activity: Spring Gardening Classes
Content or Curriculum: Gardening Topics
Inputs: UK Publications, Extension Staff, Master Gardener Volunteers, Community Partners
Date: Spring/Summer 2017
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 2016, Summer 2017
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: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Forages
~~As Extension Agents, we strive to identify programing needs in our community, and address those needs to the best of our ability. During the spring of 2017, we were hearing repeated reports of struggles with Johnson grass control in crop fields, home lawns, and along roadways. As this subject was being brought up in multiple community meetings that we were attending, we decided it was time to act! In an effort to address the rising issue of Johnson grass control in the county, the Exten
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Beef
In Clark County Kentucky along with many regions of the state, livestock farmers produce and feed forages that are harvested on their own farm. The problem is many of these producers just assume by appearance of the forage that it makes great livestock feed; however, that is not always the case. In an attempt to bring light to this issue, the Clark County Cattleman’s Association sponsored a “hay testing week” for Clark County producers. The Clark County Cooperative Extension Of
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Forages
Soil sampling is one of our most fundamental, basic, building blocks for proper agricultural practices. However, many producers still choose not to soil test, even when the test are offered for free through the local extension office. During the spring of 2018, I was approached by a Hispanic farm manager that wanted to increase the quality of the farms soil and forages in order to extend grazing seasons. Through an initial office visit I explain the process of soil sampling to the client and he
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Small, family farms have always been the backbone of agriculture in Clark County. Interest and demand for utilizing and producing locally grown food has also been on the rise. This has been indicated with a growing customer and vendor base at the local farmers market, and the number of requests received from local farmers for information related to growing fruits and vegetables. In the past five years, the Winchester Clark County farmers market has grown from only 6 vendors, to now more than 30
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Interest in farmers’ market production has been on the rise in Clark County and Kentucky. The number of farmer markets in Kentucky has vastly grown in the last decade along with the number of “Kentucky Proud” farmers. As of 2017, there were 160 farmers’ markets in the state of Kentucky, and a total of more than 2,700 farmers’ market vendors. At the Winchester Clark County Farmers’ Market alone, the number of vendors has increased from 6 in 2011, to more than 3
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping
Beekeeping is a great way to further diversify the farm, or homestead. Bees can be used to make a variety of products including honey, wax, and a variety of value added products such as soaps, lotions, and many others. These products can supply additional revenue streams to small farms or homesteads. Bees are also important for their role in pollinating various crops such as vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, and others. Several research studies have also indicated that pollinator insects, includ
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Diversifying the farm with multiple farm enterprises has been very important for Clark County farmers given the volatility of many of the agricultural markets. Vegetable production is one of the market opportunities that some Clark County farmers have been exploring. However, starting a vegetable production enterprise is not without its challenges. Unlike other crops, many of the farming activities have to be completed on a timely basis. Finding the right crop that fits in with the other existin
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Beef
In Clark County and many other parts of the state, beef cattle producers are not managing their herds as well as they could to maximize on-farm profit. In an effort to combat this, the University of Kentucky has created the Beef IRM (Integrated Resource Management) program to assist farmers in beef herd management with a large emphasis on reproduction. For this story, a partnership was formed between a producer, county agent, and UK Beef IRM team to better manage a cow-calf herd of Clark County
Author: Heather Cassill
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky
Author: Heather Cassill
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The life cycle of animals are a part of the science curriculum for a variety of grade levels. The Clark County 4-H program offers the chick incubation project to Preschool through 3rd graders to enhance their classroom curricula while seeing real life examples of the life cycle represented. 4-H Extension Staff provides the curriculum, incubation equipment and in classroom lesson talking about the chicken lifecycle and parts of the egg for the chick project. The chick incubation eggs are obtained
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky
