Extension
It Starts With Us
Management, Production & Marketing of Agriculture Products
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Slusher, Patton
Beef
Ag Marketing
Forages
Farm Management
In 2012, Bourbon County had 907 farm operations on 183,764 acres, which represented 99.1% of total county land. Farms in Bourbon County produce $17,048,000 in total income.
With fewer acres of Burley Tobacco being grown every year, new opportunities are needed to support current and upcoming producers. Improved methods of production and marketing are needed for current and future farmers to maximize production thus improving profitability.
Supporting youth education is essential for development of basic skills as the current generation ages. Younger farmers are seeking information and guidance as they transition into ownership and management roles.
Improve the standard of living for farm families by increasing Agricultural profitability.
Improve understanding of agricultural practices by young and new farmers.
1) Attend workshops and seminars.
2) Implement new practices to improve production and marketing techniques or improve upon existing practices.
3) Use and update water quality plan
4) Participation in alternative agricultural demonstrations and projects.
5) Youth will participate in agriculture projects and awareness programs.
6) Become more aware of the importance of water quality and conservation.
7) Learn of the threat of poor air quality in relation to radon and other air pollutant
1) Interest in new or alternative methods.
2) Learn new skills in Ag production and marketing.
3) Become more knowledgeable of innovative agricultural research findings.
4) Increased interest in Agricultural/Animal science 4-H Projects
5) Participate in production and marketing education programs.
6) Develop an agricultural water quality plan.
7) Youth and adults will gain knowledge of the environment, learn the value of recycling and develop a desire to protect the environment.
Long-Term Outcome: Improved standard of living for farm families by increasing Ag profitability
Indicator: Increased farm profits for Bourbon County
Method: Retrieve data
Timeline: 10 years
Intermediate Outcome: Implement new practices to improve production
Indicator: Use of new practice by farmers on farm sites that improve their way of life
Method: working with producers, reduction of time taken, increased profit
Timeline: 5 years
Initial Outcome: Learn new skills in ag production and marketing
Indicator: Producers relay what they have learned
Method: questionnaire, survey
Timeline: 1 year
AUDIENCE: Adults, farm families, Investment Landowners, Small Business Entrepreneurs in agriculture
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Activity: CPH and Elite Heifer Sales
Content or Curriculum: Marketing livestock cooperatively, increase income by improving production methods
Input: Agents, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Date: Spring, Fall
Audience: Beet Cattle Producers & Beef Consumers
Activity: Beef IRM Team
Content or Curriculum: BQA, IRM, youth and consumer education
Input: KCA, Extension
Date: All Year
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: KADF Phase I/Cost-share
Content or Curriculum: Funds utilized to economically support on-farm projects
Input: Fiscal Court, Extension, Specialists, GOAP
Date: All Year, sign-up dates vary, program runs all year
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Master Cattlemen/Master Marketer Program
Content or Curriculum: Marketing, health, Quality, Safe production
Input: Agents, Coordinator, Specialists
Date: Seasonal
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Equipment purchase and use
Content or Curriculum: Use of available soil probes, goat turn-table
Input: Agents
Date: All year
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Regional Marketing Seminars
Content or Curriculum: KY Beef Conference, Futures
& Options Seminar, KY Stocker Conference, Mid-west Stocker Conference
Input: Agents, Specialists
Date: Fall/Winter
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Demo Farms and Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Timely Topics, innovative research to visually show producers new methods
Input: Agents, Specialists, Coordinators, Farmers
Date: as requested/possible
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Grain Seminars
Content or Curriculum: District Ag Agent's & UK grain specialist
Input: Specialists, Agents
Date: As requested
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Elite Heifer Program
Content or Curriculum: Elite Heifer Program
Date: Fall/Spring
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Tobacco GAP
Content or Curriculum: Timely updates, required certification
Input: GAP connections, Specialists, Agents
Date: Winter
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Structuring of Ag Development Council
Content or Curriculum: KY Ag Development Board/County Council
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Soil Fertilizer Recommendations
Content or Curriculum: UK Soil Recommendations
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Forage Testing/Ration Balancing
Content or Curriculum: UK Ration Program, KDA
Input: KDA, Agents, Specialists
Date: Fall/Winter
Audience: Bourbon County Farmers & Farm Owners
Activity: Farm Water Quality Plans
Content or Curriculum: Awareness and Education
Input: NRCS, agents, GOAP
Date: ongoing
Author: Lois Carter
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Livestock and Animal Science projects continue to be the largest, most viable projects offered in Bourbon County 4-H. Even though it may be one of the oldest, most traditional aspects of 4-H, one cannot discount its importance, due to the fact that livestock and livestock products statistically amount to about half of the farm income in Kentucky. Due to that fact, it remains extremely important that youth understand the role of agriculture in their lives along with the importance of livestock, l
