Hart County CES

Title:

Tobacco Production, BQA, Vegetable Production, GAP Training; Forage Production/Stoage, Sm Ruminant,

MAP:

Sustainability of Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Clark, Huffman

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Grain Crops

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Commercial Horticulture

Situation:

Agriculture is a major economic driver in Hart County with cash receipts of over 40 million dollars annually. Future profitability in agriculture depends on the ability of producers to maintain competitiveness in a global economy. The potential for profit hinges on economically efficient production and marketing systems as well as more diversification. Increased competitiveness and profitability will require development and dissemination of new technology and marketing skills. Through a community survey we confer with partnering organizations and with existing advisory groups and other individuals to identify the needs of Extension programming. The Hart County Extension Council and the Hart County Ag Development Council has suggested that we plan educational programs in production management, financial management, and marketing that will be integrated and targeted toward increasing competitiveness and profitability. Advisory groups used a survey to identify current changes in the county’s agriculture industry; fewer producers with larger operations and a sizeable increase in row crop production which creates increased concern about soil and water conservation. Input from stakeholders also identified a need to adopt strategies to deal with change in climate patterns

Long-Term Outcomes:

Growers access and apply knowledge about new cultural practices, innovative technologies, pest control, and organic systems to remain competitive in global markets.
Reduced costs, increased benefits, and production efficiencies from use of water and nutrient budgets, groundwater contamination and human health impacts resulting from improper water management activities will be reduced , improved pest management with environmentally safer pest control tools will be available; environmental quality also will improve with the use of cover crops; and reduced tillage.
Improved profitability resulting from improved management practices such as: early weaning; improved herd or flock health; reduced feed costs and more efficient feed utilization, and other production efficiencies. Value of beef carcasses will improve due to application of Beef Quality Assurance practices. Post-mating nutrition will produce increased weight gain and productivity.
Farms are profitable and stable over the long range.
Farmers will use practices and enterprise mixes that will optimize income while minimizing environmental impact.
Farms that are less vulnerable to risks.
Many farmers will successfully combine farming with off-farm jobs.
Producers will become more sustainable as a result of increased marketing skills.
Producers will make capital investments to their operations with cost share funds from the tobacco 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Tobacco   producers will make informed choices as to the size of their tobacco   enterprise in relation to their resource base.

Producers will have an understanding of how to modify their practices and investments because of changing climate patterns (varieties/planting dates).
Row crop producers will use cover crops and reduced tillage.
Producers will have an understanding of how to optimize their efficiency of production relative to the resources utilized.
Producers will have an understanding of agriculture sustainability and how production decisions relate to resource conservation and environmental protection.
Forage producers will know how to measure hay quality and produce a quality product that will fit the market demands.
Producers will understand programs that are available for economic assistance.
Fruit and vegetable growers will understand product requirements and marketing alternatives.
Students will develop leadership skills, knowledge in management, and marketing essentials for the future of agriculture. 

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will use budgeting to reduce input costs and record keeping to gauge production efficiencies.
Beef producers will utilize non-traditional market opportunities and will implement BQA practices.
Producers will have an understanding of how to optimize their efficiency of production relative to the resources utilized.
Producers will have an understanding of agriculture sustainability and how production decisions relate to resource conservation and environmental protection.
Farmers will hold the view that they may successfully combine farming with an off-farm job.
Clientele will understand economic impact of “non-traditional” production businesses.
Forage producers will know how to measure hay quality and produce a quality product that will fit the market demands.
Producers will understand programs that are available for economic assistance.
Fruit and vegetable growers will understand product requirement and marketing alternatives.
Students will develop leadership skills, knowledge in management, and marketing essentials for the future of agriculture.
Producers will utilize new marketing channels.
Farmers Market will continue to grow

Evaluation:

Outcome: Producers will be aware of climate change and the need to modify practices and investments.
Indicator: Producers will have an awareness of the effects of climate change.
Method: Number of producers receiving climate change information.
Timeline: Throughout the year

Outcome: Producers will increase the use of cover crops and reduce tillage.
Indicator: Number of producers indicating good conservation practices
Method: Producer responses to survey.
Timeline: December 2017

Outcome: Producers will implement Best Management Practices in Beef Production
Indicator: Number of people who have BQA certification.
Method: Producers enrolled in BQA programs.
Timeline: 2017

Outcome: Commercial Vegetable Production increases.
Indicator: Number of producers participating in Vegetable Production
Workshop; Farmers Market; and Vegetable Auction.
Method: Number of producers participating
Timeline: 2017

Outcome: Producers will have active commodity organizations.
Indicator: The community will e involved in the enhancement and promotion of agriculture.
Method: Number of producers enrolled in commodity organizations.
Timeline: December 2017

Outcome: Agriculture will be emphasized in numerous events and activities.
Indicator: Extension presents agriculture information at numerous events and activities.
Method: Review extension’s involvement in programs.
Timeline: Throughout the year 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Commercial Production Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Transplant production; fertilization, marketing and pest control.
Inputs: Extension Specialists; Ag Agent; Vegetable Buyers
Date: February 2017

Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Good Agriculture Practices Training
Content or Curriculum: GAP PowerPoint developed by Ag Agent
Inputs: Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Extension Specialists and Ag. Agent
Date: March 2017

Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Forage Production and Storage Workshop
Content or Curriculum: PowerPoint developed by Ag. Agent
Inputs: Ag. Agent
Date: Spring 2017

Audience: Agriculture Producers; Youth Participating in agriculture projects
Project or Activity: Tobacco Production and Marketing
Content or Curriculum: Transplant Production, Fertilization, Marketing
Inputs: Extension Specialist, Ag Agent, Tobacco Buyers
Date: Winter 2017

Audience: Agriculture Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance Program
Content or Curriculum: BQA Certification
Inputs: Ag Agents; Extension Specialists
Date: Winter 2017

Audience: Agriculture Producers
Activity: Opportunity in Organic Production
Content or Curriculum: Production and Marketing of Organic Vegetables/ Tobacco/Beef/Dairy
Inputs: Specialists; KDA; Ag Agent; Publications
Date: Winter 2017

Success Stories