Extension
It Starts With Us
Marketing, Diversifying, and Managing Local Agriculture
Local Foods and Sustainable Agriculture
Eric Baker, 4-H agent
Local Food Systems
Small Farm Management
Beef
Forages
Due to lower commodity prices and higher input prices, farms need to diversify and become more efficient in order to insulate against prolonged suppressed pricing.
Stabilize farm incomes using improved marketing techniques, development of a robust local food economy, and diversified enterprises.
Farmers and community members will adopt new technologies and practices based on research by land grant universities that encourage the use of local products, local marketing, practical risk management plans, and smart diversification.
Increase knowledge, and skills in production techniques, and marketing tools.
Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge, and skills in production techniques, and marketing tools.
Indicator: Use of marketing tools
Method: Inverviews
Timeline: Fall 2020
Intermediate Outcome: The adoption of new technologies to encourage local marketing.
Indicator: Increased awareness of local food systems in the local community
Method: Increased use of local food market
Timeline: Summer 2021
Long-term Outcome: Development of a robust local food economy
Indicator: stable, diverse local food market
Method: frequency of Farmers Market days and number of vendors
Timeline: Fall 2024
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Crop Production Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: Winter
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Livestock Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All year
Audience: Community members/ youth
Project or Activity: Horticulture Meetings
Content or Curriculum:
Date: Winter/Spring
Audience: Youth/Farmers
Project or Activity: Farm Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: Summer/Fall
Audience: Community members/ youth
Project or Activity: Vocational Technology Center Cooperation
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All Year
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Forage Management
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: Winter/Spring
Audience: youth
Project or Activity: Animal Science Project Group/Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: September-May
Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: C.A.I.P Cost Share Program
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All Year
Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Farmer's Market
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All Year
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Agriculture Marketing
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All year
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: BQCA Training
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All Year
Audience: Community members/ youth
Project or Activity: Forest Management
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All Year
Audience: Farmers/ Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Tours/ Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All Year
Audience: Farmers/ Youth
Project or Activity: Small Farm Management
Content or Curriculum: Education
Date: All Year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Gardening Options for Everyone
Content or Curriculum: Homemakers
Inputs: Agents
Date: August
Author: Eric Baker
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
After three major winter storms in late February and heavy rains through March 1st, Estill County experienced historic flooding along the Kentucky River and tributaries. Flood stage topped 41.1 feet which shattered the longstanding 1939 record of 39.4 feet. Access to the City of Irvine was lost due to flooded roads. At least 200 homes sustained damage and hundreds of acres of farms were flooded. Farm losses included livestock, equipment, vehicles, hay, fences, and other farm supplies. In additio
Author: Eric Baker
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Eastern Kentucky has limited availability for locally grown fruit plants at an economical price. Each year, Estill County horticulture enthusiasts are very interested in growing berries for home use and marketing. In response, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service of Estill County joined other county offices to order berry plants and asparagus. County Extension Agents of 22 counties and Wise County Virginia collaborate to make a bulk order of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blu
Author: Eric Baker
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Restrictions of the COVID19 pandemic gave many people more time at home and renewed interest in growing home vegetables for their family. With increased questions about growing a garden, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Estill County ANR agent developed a Fall Victory Garden Grab-n-Go event. With assistance from the SNAP-Ed assistant, a SNAP farmer’s market mesh bag was assembled with gardening information and related incentive items to distribute to citizens first-come-fir
