Agriculture Production, Marketing and EducationPlan of Work

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Clay County CES

Title:
Agriculture Production, Marketing and Education
MAP:
Attaining Agriculture Sustainability Through Education
Agents Involved:
Jeff Casada, Alissa Ackerman, Lora Lee Frazier Howard
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

There were 233 farms listed in Clay County in 2017 according to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service.  This is a 46% decline from the 511 farms listed in 1992.  Total farm acres has also declined by 36%, however the average size of a Clay County Farm has increased to 190 acres.  Major crops grown are soybeans, corn, vegetables, hemp and tobacco and sales amounted to almost $4 million.  Animal sales primarily beef cattle were approximately $1.3 million.  Total agricultural receipts in 2017 amounted to $5,219,000 which is a $1.5 million increase over 2007.  Local foods have become popular, especially since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020.  Many households are again growing vegetables, purchasing beef and hogs to have slaughtered for personal use and visiting local farmers’ markets to purchase fresh produce and meat items.  We have two Community Supported Agriculture enterprises that sell in Clay and surrounding counties and one sells local and out of state.  One farm also uses an online buying club to sell their produce and products such as honey, jams and jellies from other farms.  Tobacco is now concentrated in a handful of producers hands and continues to decline with uncertainty and tobacco companies purchase intentions.  Soybean acreage harvested has increased in the last five years as corn prices have decreased.  Hemp acreage has increased each of the past three years, but hemp processors are having a difficult time securing the capital needed to pay producers and sell the crop.  Sheep, goats and rabbits are minor livestock enterprises that fluctuate each year. Natural resources such as timber must be managed or hope for future opportunities will dwindle

Long-Term Outcomes:

Clay County agricultural producers will sustain profitability and optimize efficiency through the use of sound management practices, marketing and the use of current technology in annual crop, horticulture and livestock production.


Clay County agricultural producers will maximize profits, while minimizing impact to air, soil and living area.


Clay County agriculture producers will reduce the amount of pesticides that are introduced into crop and non-crop land.


Clay County agriculture producers will increase the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands and community supported agriculture (CSA).


Clay County agricultural producers will increase their local access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets and other institutions.


Clay County agricultural producers will protect and improve water quality through reducing muddy areas on the farm and improved efficiency of manure handling.


Clay County youth will see economic change by being personally involved in agriculture projects and by organizing community programs for the betterment of the county.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Clay County agricultural producers will use current technology to minimize the cost of production and increase yields. Producers will use practices which are competitive and environmentally safe. Producers will continue to transition from tobacco into other agricultural enterprises; growing quality products that can be marketed locally and regionally as local producers are linked with local consumers.


Clay County agricultural producers will adopt new technology for crop and animal production, use diagnostic services to identify insects, diseases, and weeds.


Clay County agricultural producers will evaluate their chemical storage, handling and disposal practices to ensure that they are in line with best practices. They will ensure that fields are posted after chemicals are applied and that spray materials are selected for re-entry intervals, pre-harvest intervals, pre-slaughter intervals, and milk and meat withdrawals as well materials that will cause the least harm to honey bees and other pollinators.


Clay County beef producers will implement practices such as a controlled breeding season, selecting bulls through EPDs, having a crossbreeding program, and having a complete mineral supplement program that will enhance production efficiency.


Clay County beekeepers will communicate with neighboring pesticide applicators to eliminate accidental killing of honeybees.


Clay County farmer’s market participants will earn certifications for: selling and/or providing samples at farmer’s markets; micro-processing; and USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).


Clay County farmer’s market participants will apply food safety practices and create value added food items.


Clay County agricultural producers will adopt and implement ag water quality plans, nutrient management plans, forest stewardship plans, and other conservation practices appropriate for their farming operation.


Clay County youth will actively engage in agricultural practices/events such as livestock shows, skill-a-thons and field days.

Initial Outcomes:

Clay County Agricultural producers will gain knowledge in current technology and marketing as it relates to beef, forages, tobacco and commercial fruits and vegetables. Producers will gain skill in the management of their farming operations.


Clay County agricultural producers will have awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.


Clay County producers will understand Organic vs Conventional crop production


Clay County producers can identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests


Clay County producers can demonstrate proper use of pesticides and antibiotics


Clay County producers increased awareness of the following practices: reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general herd management, and economics and marketing


Clay County beef participants become KY Master Cattleman


Clay County vegetable producers identify/locate local food producers and processors


Clay County livestock and crop producers will understand the importance of clean water


Clay County agricultural producers will increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality


Clay County youth will gain a better understanding how agriculture affects our society


Clay County youth will understand how the use and misuse of natural resources affect a global society

Evaluation:

Long Term Outcome: Agricultural producers will increase income and improve profits of their farming operations.

Indicator: Amount of dollars earned or saved through improved practices as determined by the net income of livestock sold, pounds of tobacco sold and the value of fruits and vegetables sold.

Method: programs, trainings, information from producers, markets and state statistics.

Timeline: 2020-2024


Intermediate Outcome: Producers adopt new technologies and practices that have been presented through Extension programming.

Method: Follow up farm visits or surveys from educational programs.

Timeline: 2020-2024


Initial Outcomes: Attendance at educational meetings, questions and participation in programs.

Method: Follow up farm visits, surveys and evaluations from meetings to gauge success.

Timeline: 2020-2024


Long Term Outcome: Economic change from youth involvement

Indicator: Money raised from youth participation

Method: Interview and recorded documentation

Timeline: 2020-2024


Intermediate Outcome: Youth are engaged in agriculture and environmental or natural resources practices or activities increase

Indicator: Number of participants involved; projects, activities, or enterprises students are working on themselves

Method: Surveys, follow-ups, interviews

Timeline: 2020-2024


Initial Outcome: Students show increased awareness of how agriculture and natural resources affect our world.

Indicator: Number of students that show change based on what they have learned

Method: Pre and Post Surveys

Timeline: 2020-2024


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Clay County Cattlemen
Project or Activity: Clay County Cattlemens' Association Educational Meetings
Content or curriculum: Educational programs that teach management, health, and marketing skills
Inputs: UK Specialists and publications, Industry, and Association Leadership
Date: Quarterly

 

Audience: Clay County Growers
Project or Activity: Fruit Growers' Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Educational program that updates producers on marketing, disease, insect and pest control strategies and management
Inputs: UK Specialists and UK Publications, Agent
 Date: Spring 2021 


Audience: Vegetable Producers and Consumers
Project or Activity: Clay County Community Farmers' Market
Content or Curriculum: Educational programs that focus on marketing strategies as well as producing safe and high quality produce
Inputs: Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Agent, UK Specialists and Publications
Date: Spring 2021

Audience: Beekeepers in Clay County
Project or Activity: Beekeepers' Association
Content or Curriculum: Educational Programs on insect control, marketing, hive maintenance and processing to package a quality product
Inputs: Agents, KDA, KSU, Industry
 Date: Monthly March-October 

Audience:  Clay Countians

Project or Activity: Grow Appalachia

Content or Curriculum:  Educational programs on gardening

Inputs;  UK Publications, Agent, and Experienced Clay County Producers

Date:  5 per year:   March, April, May, July, August


Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Forestry /Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, Location, 4-H Curriculum, ANR Agent, 4-H Agent
 Date: Fall 2020


Audience: Youth
 Project or Activity: Windowsill gardening 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Publication

Inputs: 4-H Pub, Facilities, Volunteers, Students, Materials, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent 

Date: Annually 


Audience:  Clay County Beef Producers

Project or Activity:  Beef Quality and Care Assurance

Content or Curriculum:  Video

Inputs:  Agent, Beef Quality Assurance Material

Date:  As needed


Audience:  Clay County Farmers, landowners and citizens

Project or Activity:  Woodland Owner Education Program/Woodland Owners Education Series

Content or Curriculum:  UK research material, expertise of specialists/agent

Inputs:  Agent, specialists, NRCS, Producers

Date:  Fall 2020


Audience:  Homeowners

Project or Activity:  Berry Care Project

Content or Curriculum:  UK Berry Care Curriculum

Inputs:  ANR Agent, FCS Agent, UK Specialists

Date:  2021-2022


Audience:  Women & Children

Project or Activity:  Freedom House Raised Garden Project

Content or Curriculum:  UK Home Gardening Materials

Inputs:  ANR Agent, FCS Agent

Date:  2020-2022


Audience:  Youth

Project or Activity:  Embryology in the Classroom

Content or curriculum:  4-H curriculum – Hatching Classroom Projects

Inputs:  4-H agent, teachers

Date:  2020-2021


Audience:  Youth 

Project or Activity:  4-H Natural Resource Academy

Content or curriculum:  4-H curriculum

Inputs:  4-H agent, UK specialists

Date:  2020-2021







Success Stories

Home Gardening Surge

Author: Jeffrey Casada

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

This spring, Covid-19 caused Clay County residents to look at their food sources in a new way.  With grocery stores running out of staples that should have been in abundant supply, Clay Countians took decisive action by planting gardens.  Home vegetable gardening in the past was just part of what you did each spring and summer, however in recent years that knowledge and experience has left many that used to raise gardens and many do not have any knowledge and experience with home garde

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New 4-H Rabbit Club Boosts Confidence

Author: Alissa Ackerman

Major Program: Agriculture

New 4-H Rabbit Club Boosts Confidence

4-H is an organization committed to building strong leaders with marketable skills to be successful in today’s global society. Kentucky 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnering with passionate adults. Without volunteers, 4-H would not be the organization that it is today. For the first time, Clay County 4-H established a 4-H Rabbit Club that is led by volunteers. Through this opportunity, 4-Hers can experience positive youth development in fo

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4-H Farming Program

Author: Alissa Ackerman

Major Program: Agriculture

4-H Farming Program

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a common topic of discussion was the fear of food shortages. This became reality throughout the U.S. and other countries as well, which sparked an interest in farming for many families. Educating youth from an early age is imperative as retirement is on the horizon for many famers across the nation. According to Kentucky by the Numbers, there are 233 farms in Clay County and 14.8% of principal produces are under the age o

Full Story
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