Extension
It Starts With Us
Building a diverse economy that emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship and small business dev
Strengthening Local Community & Economic Development Health
Lindie Huffman, ANR; Kenna Knight, FCS; Shelley Meyer, 4-H
Farm Management
Agritourism Planning
Securing Financial Stability (general)
Business Retention and Expansion
There are 340,746 small businesses in Kentucky (2014). With 17% of these employing 19 or less, 16% employing 20-99, and 14% employing 100-499 employees There are over 1,000,000 people employed in small and medium sized businesses.
Kentucky Cooperative Extension is often the first place small business owners look for assistance in rural areas.
Small businesses, including farms, are the backbone of communities across America, especially in rural communities of Kentucky. They support many community, school, and youth programs, as research suggests that for every $100 spent at locally owned business, $43 is returned to the community, compared to only $15 spent at large corporate box stores. However, small businesses and farms face a multitude of challenges to keep their doors open from marketing, business planning, limited resource availability, labor management, etc. Entrepreneurs are in need of business training and are continually researching ways to expand and promote their business, sometimes calling for diversification of operations with new economic opportunities.
While small businesses make a community increase the vitality of the community, industry and commercial retailers also create a number of jobs to support communities. When analyzing future locations, companies often take a look at the community organizations, recreational areas, and religious structures. Creating space and place for a residents to not only live, work and play is integral to the health and vitality of the community. Through efforts to strengthen tourism, community leadership, recreation areas, etc. citizens will become more in tune with their individual social capital and devote time to becoming a true citizen of the community. Pendleton County has few places for residents to “play”, though a multitude of opportunity exists for eco and agritourism.
•Economic evaluation confirms that agritourism contributes substantially to the economic viability of farms and rural communities.
•Increase and in sustained locally owned businesses
•Small business enterprises and employment increases
•Small business and farm profitability increases
•Sustained farmer/grower cooperatives and organizations
•Revitalization of Main Street/Downtown
•Key community events intentionally have arts and artisans involved
•A critical mass of leadership/support exist for the arts
•The arts are seen as critical to community development and economic growth by key non-arts leaders
•The arts contribute to local and regional economic viability
•There is viable income for individual artisans
•Increase the number of employees
•Expand products or services
•Increase return customers, sales, and/or profit
•Reinvest in community (i.e. donate or support non-profits, volunteer, mentor new business owners)
•Products and services will be accessible to residents, especially those with limited resources (i.e. transportation)
•Recognize the social and economic benefits from a stronger local economy (i.e. support of youth program, increased property value or tax base)
•Small business development network forms and meets regularly
•Increased number of loans and grants administered to qualified small businesses and farmers
•Groups for arts advocacy and planning are established in communities
•Leadership focuses on collaborations and coalitions with other community groups
•Key community events include arts and artisans
•Arts activities and events are intentionally inclusive of all age and socio-cultural groups
•Informal arts activities are held in various venues
•Track the change in sales on days when local advertising includes or features products or services in your company
•Critique which featured product/service or promotion provided the greatest positive impact on customer traffic, sales, or profits
•Plan and employ a new marketing strategy
•Participate in local marketing campaign to maximize reach of marketing budget
•Increase (by one or more) local businesses where you purchase products or services from prior year
•Choose to continue shopping at a local business due to quality of service, value of services, prices or other
•Recommend a local business to others
•Community has a better understanding of the obstacles to small business development
•Community/elected officials rapidly respond to red flags
•Small business owners and farmers better understand the market for their product
•Small businesses and farms feel more integrated into the community
•Elected officials better understand their role in relation to small business and farm development and expansion
•Basic understanding of community development through the arts
•Basic Community leadership capable of organizing a group of arts supporters
•Community members have a greater sense of place and community history
•Recognize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of strengthening local business
•Observe and review local marketing efforts
•Identify products or services offered that would attract new customers
•Identify local businesses
•Discover variety of products and services available locally
•Recognize the social, economic, and environmental benefits by shopping locally
•Motivated to consider local purchases before shopping outside of the county
•Identify products and services lacking in local community
Intermediate Outcomes:
•Small business development network forms and meets regularly
•Increased number of loans and grants administered to qualified small businesses and farmers
•Groups for arts advocacy and planning are established in communities
•Leadership focuses on collaborations and coalitions with other community groups
•Key community events include arts and artisans
•Arts activities and events are intentionally inclusive of all age and socio-cultural groups
•Informal arts activities are held in various venues
•Increase the number of employees
•Expand products or services
•Increase return customers, sales, and/or profit
•Reinvest in community (i.e. donate or support non-profits, volunteer, mentor new business owners)
•Products and services will be accessible to residents, especially those with limited resources (i.e. transportation)
•Recognize the social and economic benefits from a stronger local economy (i.e. support of youth program, increased property value or tax base)
Indicator: Sustained main street business operations, brick and mortar artisan centers, increase in Chamber of Commerce membership, % change of sales, increase in tourists to area, number of local businesses, number of industry, decreased unemployment rate
Method: observation, shop like a local sales logs, business owners participating in activities, artisans participating in activities, youth participating in activities, reviewing data annually or as new data is released, pre and post surveys of program efforts, community feedback and visual witnessing
Timeline: Throughout the year
Intermediate Outcomes:
•Small business development network forms and meets regularly
•Increased number of loans and grants administered to qualified small businesses and farmers
•Groups for arts advocacy and planning are established in communities
•Leadership focuses on collaborations and coalitions with other community groups
•Key community events include arts and artisans
•Arts activities and events are intentionally inclusive of all age and socio-cultural groups
•Informal arts activities are held in various venues
•Track the change in sales on days when local advertising includes or features products or services in your company
•Critique which featured product/service or promotion provided the greatest positive impact on customer traffic, sales, or profits
•Plan and employ a new marketing strategy
•Participate in local marketing campaign to maximize reach of marketing budget
•Increase (by one or more) local businesses where you purchase products or services from prior year
•Choose to continue shopping at a local business due to quality of service, value of services, prices or other
•Recommend a local business to others
Indicator: Sustained main street business operations, brick and mortar artisan centers, increase in Chamber of Commerce membership, % change of sales, increase in tourists to area, number of local businesses, number of industry, decreased unemployment rate
Method: observation, shop like a local sales logs, business owners participating in activities, artisans participating in activities, youth participating in activities, reviewing data annually or as new data is released, pre and post surveys of program efforts, community feedback and visual witnessing
Timeline: Throughout the year
Initial Outcome:
•Community has a better understanding of the obstacles to small business development
•Community/elected officials rapidly respond to red flags
•Small business owners and farmers better understand the market for their product
•Small businesses and farms feel more integrated into the community
•Elected officials better understand their role in relation to small business and farm development and expansion
•Basic understanding of community development through the arts
•Basic Community leadership capable of organizing a group of arts supporters
•Community members have a greater sense of place and community history
•Recognize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of strengthening local business
•Observe and review local marketing efforts
•Identify products or services offered that would attract new customers
•Identify local businesses
•Discover variety of products and services available locally
•Recognize the social, economic, and environmental benefits by shopping locally
•Motivated to consider local purchases before shopping outside of the county
•Identify products and services lacking in local community
Indicator: Sustained main street business operations, brick and mortar artisan centers, increase in Chamber of Commerce membership, % change of sales, increase in tourists to area, number of local businesses, number of industry, decreased unemployment rate, increased sales, more local shoppers
Method: observation, shop like a local sales logs, business owners participating in activities, artisans participating in activities, youth participating in activities, reviewing data annually or as new data is released, pre and post surveys of program efforts, community feedback and visual witnessing
Timeline: Throughout the year
Audience: Adults, Farm / Land Owners
Project or Activity: Farm Planning
Content or Curriculum: UK resources and publications,
•Farm Taxes – January (ANR)
Inputs:
•Extension Specialist
•Agents
•UK Publications
•Lawyers
•KSP
•County Officials
Date:
Audience: Farmers Market / Horticulture Producers (AG, FCS)
Activity: Develop an organization to allow participants a networking system to enhance production and profitability through various programs and activities.
•Farmers Market – All Year (ANR)
•Farmers Feast – August (ANR, FCS)
•GAP Training – March/April (ANR)
•Home-Based Processing Training – March/April (ANR, FCS)
•KY Proud – February/March (ANR)
•KY Plate it Up Sampling and Demos – All Year (ANR, FCS)
•flAG tours (Familiarizing Locals with Agriculture) – June (ANR)
Ewenique Art Walk (September) FCS, ANR, 4-H
•SR/WIC FMNP – March/April (ANR)
Ag Reality- December (4-H)
Content or Curriculum:
•GAP Training
•Home-Based Processing Training
•KY Proud
•KY Plate it Up
•KY Farmers Market Handbook
•SR/WIC FMNP, USDA Publications
•Extension Publications
Inputs:
•Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists
•County Agricultural Board
•FSA
•local producers and general public
•Certified Volunteers
•KY Plate It UP
•KY Proud
•KDA
Date: All Year, Heavy in Production Season
Audience: Forage / Beef Producers (AG)
Activity: Forage Programs
•Pasture Renovation - Summer (ANR)
*Field Plots - Summer (ANR)
Content or Curriculum:
•Forage Production
•Soil/Fertility
•KDA Hay Testing Mobile Unit
•Forage Reports
•Stock Piling Fescue
•Fall Seeding
•Weed Control and Identification
•IPM
Inputs:
•UK Publications
•Extension and other UK Extension Specialists
•County Agricultural Board
•FSA
•NRCS
•local producers and general public
•Certified Volunteers
Date:
Audience: CAIP Menu Program (AG)
Activity: CAIP Menu Program
•CAIP Informational Meetings – October/November
•Assorted Educational Field Days (as mentioned in various activities)
•Farm Visits – All Year
•Client Consultations – All Year, As needed
Content or Curriculum:
•Educational Program Supporting CAIP
Inputs: KADF Resources, UK Publications, Breed Associations, Conservation District, Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers
Date: All Year
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Activity: Production, Marketing, Networking, and Education Courses
•Master Cattleman - August - October (ANR)
•BQA Certification – February & September (ANR)
•Bull Selection – January/February (ANR)
•Cattle Handling & Care – February (ANR)
•Expected Progeny Differences – February & September (ANR)
•Herd Health Day – April (ANR)
•Shared-Use Equipment Field Day – May/June (ANR)
Content or Curriculum:
•Educational Program Supporting CAIP
Inputs: UK Publications, Breed Associations, Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers, local veterinarians , Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, Farms, Livestock Auctions, UK Meat Lab and Butcher Shop, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers
Date: All Year
Audience: Tobacco Producers (AG)
Activity: Tobacco Programs
•Tobacco GAP – February/March (ANR)
Content or Curriculum:
•Current Tobacco Issues
•Tobacco GAP Training
Inputs: Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers
Date: February and March 2019
Audience: Home Horticulture and Consumers and Youth
Activity: Home Horticulture Programs
•What’s For Dinner Gardening Series – March – May and Aug-Nov (ANR, FCS)
•Kitchen Gardening – April (ANR)
•Planning the Garden that is Right for You – February (ANR, FCS)
•JMG - Summer and school year (FCS, ANR)
•KY Plate it Up Sampling – All Year (ANR, FCS)
•Container Gardening – February (ANR, FCS)
•Utilizing Raised Beds – May (ANR, FCS)
•The Meat of the Matter: Purchasing Local Meats – November (ANR)
•Plant Propagation Series – November (ANR)
•Rain Barrel Workshop – May (ANR)
•Rain Garden Workshop – May (ANR)
*Master Gardener - Fall/Winter (ANR)
•4-H Garden Club- monthly 4-H (4-H, ANR)
Content or Curriculum:
•Lawn and Gardening & Horticulture
•vegetables production
•home fruit production
•landscape design
•landscape management
•beneficial insects
JMG Curriculum
Inputs:
•Extension Community Education Garden
•Monarch Watch Station Grant
•Leader
•Extension and other UK Extension Specialists
•County Agricultural Board
•FSA
•local producers and general public
•Certified Volunteers
Date: All year
Audience: Consumers / Business Owners / Tourism Operations
Project or Activity: Small Business Support
Ewenique Art Walk - Sept. (FCS,ANR,4-H)
•Paint Our Town – Summer (FCS)
•Farmers Market – May – November (ANR)
•Agritourism/Ecotourism Workshops – February (ANR, FCS)
Shakespeare in the Park - August (FCS)
Content or Curriculum:
•CEDIK Community Profiles
•Grant Writing
•Business Plan Workshops
Inputs:
•Local Business Owners
•Billboard
•Shop Like a Local Log Book
•Social Media Platforms
•Yard Signs
•County Government
•Chamber of Commerce
•Tourism Council
•Fiscal Court
•UK Publications
•Community Organizations
•Public Services
•Community Action Council
Date: Listed by program
Audience: Artisans/Crafters
Project or Activity: Arts in the Community
•Holiday Open House – November (FCS)
•Winter Wonderland – November (FCS)
•Chamber of Commerce – Monthly (FCS)
•Farmers Market – All Year (ANR)
•Tourism Council – All Year (ANR, FCS)
•Creative Arts – Four a year (FCS)
•Project Days – April (4-H, ANR, FCS)
•Paint Our Town – Summer (FCS)
Content or Curriculum:
•CEDIK
Inputs:
•Local Business Owners
•Local Artisans
•Billboard
•Social Media Platforms
•County Government
•Chamber of Commerce
•Tourism Council
•Fiscal Court
•UK Publications
•Community Organizations
•Public Services
Date: listed above
Date: All year
Audience: Farmers / Young Farmers / New Farmers / Youth
Project or Activity: Agricultural Diversification Courses
•Hemp: More than a Fiber – February (ANR)
•Hemp Field Day – June/July (ANR)
•Aquaculture: Shrimp Harvest – September (ANR)
•Aquaculture: Diversification Program (ANR)
•Bee Keeping Courses – All Year (ANR)
•Greenhouse/High Tunnel Field Day – September/October (ANR)
•Vineyard Field Days – March & June (ANR)
•Ag Reality- December (4-H, ANR)
Content or Curriculum:
•Hemp Production
•Aquaculture
Inputs:
•USDA Resources
•UK & KSU Extension Publications
•County Agents and Specialists
•Technology (drones, tablets, smart phones, apps, etc.)
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
farmers’ market takes root in communitypcfm is much more than just corn and tomatoes… Pendleton County has long since celebrated its rich agricultural heritage. Farmers have been an integral thread of the fabric that makes up our small town community. The Pendleton County Farmers’ Market (PCFM) is a place for many of those farmers to gather to support the local food economy and support entrepreneurship. Established in the 1980’s the PCFM has seen fluctuation in
Author: Lindie Huffman
Major Program: Farm Management
Every Extension Agent's favorite phone call is "I bought a farm. What can I do with it to make money?"The question is filled with opportunity, worry, aspiration, and many times a hint of fear. As Extension, we are the place to turn to for answers, and to be brought in so early we are poised to serve as a strong ally to help farmers achieve their goals. Since 2018 I have served as a consultant to over 36 farmers. Offering unique and tailor-made farm plans to fit not only their desir
