Agricultural Production 2Plan of Work

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Shelby County CES

Title:
Agricultural Production 2
MAP:
Production & Profitability
Agents Involved:
Corinne Belton, Regina Browning
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Bees/Beekeeping
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
4-H Volunteer Programming
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forestry Industry Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Tobacco
Situation:

While Kentucky's population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the Commonwealth. Shelby Countians are faced with maintaining a balance between industrial development, community growth and preserving the rural landscape. In order to increase sustainability and profitability, producers must take advantage of local markets as well as our close proximity to the large population centers of Lexington and Louisville. Diversification of agriculture operations is key to long-term viability. Producers must engage in practices that ensure the preservation and availability of natural resources for future generations.


Although Kentucky livestock producers have enjoyed relatively high prices for their stock over the past few years, it is important to continue to educate producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. Extension educational programs are targeted to provide Kentucky livestock producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.


Grain crop production is facing downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future. Extension educational programs are targeted to provide Kentucky crop producers with the tools necessary to remain sustainable through this bearish market.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.

*Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life-skill development through 4-H.

*Youth will be advocates for agriculture and health and sustainable food systems.

*Long term viability

*Producers save money by making informed selection decisions

*Minimize use of pesticides affecting bee popluation

*Maximize profits for commercial ag producer

*Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

*Improve sustainability of intensively managed wood production systems

*Improve sustainability of intensively managed tobacco production systems

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animals sciences.

*Youth will adopt and practice skills that apply to employability

*Youth can explain the role of agriculture to others in their daily lives.

*Youth will set a goal and accomplish it

*Youth can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.

*Adopt usage of new technology for woodland management and tree production

*Adopt new technology and management procedures for tobacco production

*Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds

*Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations


Initial Outcomes:

*Youth will gain knowledge and skills and knowledge in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animals sciences.

*Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.

*Youth will develop valuable life skills including decision making, communications, record keeping, leadership and service.

*Gain knowledge of beekeeping and tools to succeed in honey production

*Gain knowledge of woodland management and tools to succeed in tree management and production

*Describe the best management practices for healthy woodlands.

*Describe the best management practices for pesticide management relative to the honey bee population

*Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.

*Awareness of current land grant research concerning tobacco production

*Identification of IPM practices for tobacco production

*Increase understanding of production regulations

*Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production

*Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production

*Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth and adults increase KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices

Indicator: Increased KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices

Method: Post-training evaluations, observation

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults implement production management practices such as: evaluation, variety selection, pesticide management, marketing

Indicator: Improved management practices in evaluation, variety selection, pesticide management, marketing

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Yearly


Long-term Outcome: Increased agriculture production and profitability

Indicator: Higher production and increased profits

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Year-to-year over the next decade

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Club Meetings

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag. Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, certified leaders

Date: monthly


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Dairy Club Meetings

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag. Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, certified leaders

Date: monthly


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Horse Club Meetings

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag. Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, certified leaders

Date: monthly


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Rabbit and Poultry Club meetings

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag. Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, certified leaders

Date: monthly


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Livestock, Dairy and Horse Judging

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag. Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, certified leaders

Date: March - June 2020


Audience: 4-H Members and Adults

Project or Activity: Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: Ag. Core Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, curing supplies

Date: January - August 2020


Audience: Bee Keepers

Project or Activity: Shelby County Beekeepers Association

Content or Curriculum: State Beekeeper, KSU Beekeeping pubs

Inputs: Local beekeepers, KSU pubs

Date: Monthly


Audience: Tobacco Farmers

Project or Activity: Tobacco Production Update and GAP Training

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists, GAPConnections employees, USDA, GAP materials

Inputs: UK Specialists, GAPconnections employees, USDA, GAP materials

Date: January 2020


Audience: Adults interested in Hemp Production

Project or Activity: Hemp Production Update

Content or Curriculum: KDA and UK Specialists

Inputs: Depart of Ag and UK Specialists 

Date: September/October 2019

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