Extension
It Starts With Us
Farm Profitablity
Rural Economic Development & Agriculture Diversification
Paul Sizemore, Jacob Brandenburg
Beef
Forages
Ag Marketing
4-H Volunteer Programming
Owsley County is a small agrarian county located in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Over the last decade tobacco production has decreased more than 90% therefore leaving only about 300,000 pounds county wide. Many producers have diversified their operations by implementing other practices or commodities such as an increased number of livestock and increased acreage for vegetable production for home and commercial Horticulture. Other crops grown in Owsley County include cabbage, pepper, strawberries, corn, brambles, forages and various fruit trees. Animals produced in Owsley County include beef cattle, horses, goats and some small scale swine and poultry operations. Agriculture still remains one of the top ten industries in Owsley County. The Owsley County Extension Council and Agriculture and Natural Resources Council have directed us to address the above issues in terms of diversification into small and large scale production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults. Mainly directed to those individuals involved or with an interest in livestock, crops, fruit and vegetable production both commercially or family based.
Agricultural producers will manage their operations in a more profitable manner as well as increase the quality of the products they are producing.
*An increased utilization of fallow land.
*An increase in necessary management skills being used.
*An increased understanding of pesticide usage.
*An increase in the diversity of agriculture operations will occur.
*Understanding the importance of diversity in small enterprises.
*Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.
*Knowledge of new and improved management skills for increased profitability.
*Understanding the direct market approach.
Initial Outcome: Number of participants that diversify their agricultural operations
Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.
Method: Observations and surveys
Timeline: Fiscal Year 2019-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Number of participants that utilize new management skills.
Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.
Method: Observations and surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and time for implementation 2019-2020.
Long-term Outcome:Number of participants that increase their farm profitability.
Indicator:Percentage of program participants that show changes.
Method:Observations and surveys
Timeline:Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
Audience:Beef Cattle Producers.
Project or Activity:Producers Meetings.
Content or Curriculum:Feeding, Reproduction, Forages, Health, Record Keeping and General Management.
Inputs:Agent and Guests Speakers.
Date:Spring and Fall Meetings.
Audience:Interested Consumers
Project or Activity:Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum:Curing a Country Ham.
Inputs:Agent Led Program.
Date:Winter 2020
Audience:Farmers/Producers
Project or Activity:Educational Programs for The Agriculture Development Program.
Content or Curriculum:Hay Storage, Equipment Storage, Beef Quality Assurance
Inputs:Agent Led
Date:Throughout the year 2019-2020
Audience: Farmers and Producers
Project or Activity: Agriculture Production Programs.
Content or Curriculum: Various Agriculture and Economic Related Issues.
Inputs: Agent and Specialist.
Date: Throughout the year 2019-2020 as Needed.
Audience: Farmers, Producers and Landowners.
Project or Activity: Conservation Programs.
Content or Curriculum: Soil Sampling, Cost Share Programs and Related Issues.
Inputs: Agent and Guest Speakers.
Date: Spring and Fall 2019-2020.
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Garden Project
Content or Curriculum: Ag and 4-H publications
Inputs: 4-H Agent, Ag Agent, FFA teacher
Date: Summer 2019
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Beef
Much of the Hay produced in the area is stored outside resulting in a great deal of waste, low nutrient levels and low digestibility. This can lead to many issues in the herd when the winter weather comes barreling in. To address the need for improved forage quality and to increase farmer understanding of the economics of hay production, many producers asked for more information on feeding systems. A workshop was held in Owsley County with Dr. Steve Higgins speaking on Fence Line Feeding systems
