Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, AgriculturePlan of Work

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Clark County CES

Title:
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture Advancement
Agents Involved:
Shannon Farrell, Clay Stamm, Shonda Johnston, Horticulture Agent (Vacant)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:

Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for largest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. Sales of agriculture crops and livestock in Clark County exceed $34 million. There are 871 farms in Clark County with farm size averaging 164 acres. Horticulture crops, Agri-tourism, beekeeping, and custom hay production are growing farming industries in the county. With recent legislative developments industrial hemp production is emerging as a crop of importance. In addition to the educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of traditional Clark County agricultural production (corn, soybeans, livestock, and forages), leaders in the agricultural community have identified educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of industrial hemp and other new opportunistic crops.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops

Increase in revenues for farm families

Increase number of new younger farmers into the agriculture industry.

Greater diversification of farming operations..

Individuals will engage in entreprenuerial enterprises.

Individuals will gain and maintain employment thru lifeskill development.

Individuals will be advecates for agriculture, healthy and sustainable food systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Investment in the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques

Adoption of best mangement production practices

Individuals will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Individuals can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

Individuals can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.

Initial Outcomes:

Learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities.

Gained knowlege of agricultural production

Gained knowlege of the most up to date production practices

Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

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

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Indicator: Increased knowledge and continued practice of agriculture production.

Method: Post Survey of Program/Project

Timeline: Completion of project/program


Initial Outcome: Youth will use and apply the skills gained from Livestock programs, demonstrate and share new abilities related to livestock with others, and practice the principals of livestock production

Indicator: Continued involvement in the livestock program

Method: Post Survey of Program

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Produers will learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities

Indicator: Program Particpation/Supporting Survey Response

Method: Post Survey

Timeline: Each event


Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowlege of up to date production practices

Indicator: Program Participation/Supporting Survey Response

Method: Post Survey

Timeline: Each Event


Intermediate Outcome: Producer Investment into the the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques

Indicator: Dollars Invested

Method: NASS, CAIP Producer Reports, Agricultural Statistics

Timeline: Annually, Biannually, 10 yrs


Intermediate Outcome: Adoption of best management production practices

Indicator: Changed Production Practices

Method: Survey

Timeline: Annually


Long-term Outcome: Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops

Indicator: Agricultural Business creation/expansion, Increased farm income

Method: Census of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Survey

Timeline: Once every 10 years, Annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 5-18 yr old youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content, local tours

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders

Date: Monthly


Audience: 4-H Age Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders

Date: Monthly


Audience: 3rd Grade

Project or Activity:  4-H Chick Incubation

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, School Staff, UK poultry unit

Date: Spring


Audience: 4-H Age Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Extension Facilities

Date: January - August


Audience: 3rd Grade Students

Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Day

Content or Curriculum: Industry Speakers, Ag Literacy Education Materials, 4-H Core Content

Inputs: Extension Staff, Industry Speakers, Gilkison Farm

Date: Spring


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen/Master Marketer/Cattleman's Quarterly meetings

Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen Curriculum, Extension Publications

Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension staff, Agricultural Leaders, Community Sponsors

Date: Spring/Fall/Winter


Audience: Clark County Residents

Project or Activity: Winter School

Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Updates

Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Publications, Extension Staff, Clark Ag Advisory Council, Community Sponsors

Date: January/February 


Audience: Clark County Residents

Project or Activity: Gardening Classes

Content or Curriculum: Gardening Topics

Inputs: UK Publications, Extension Staff, Master Gardener Volunteers, Community Partners

Date: Spring/Summer 


Audience: Farmers/Farm Families

Project or Activity: Clark County Extension Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resource Demonstrations

Inputs: Producer Volunteer(s), UK Specialists, Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Extension Staff,

Date: Summer 


Audience: Farmers/Farm Families

Project or Activity: Production Update Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Ongoing agricultural issues/updates

Inputs: Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Collaborative Agricultural Groups (Clark County Cattlemen, C.C. Farm Bureau, etc.), UK Specialists, Extension Staff, other Agri-businesses and agricultural professionals

Date: As needed


Audience: Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Beekeepers Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping

Inputs: UK Specialist, KY State Apiarist, Specialists, Ag leaders

Date: Third Monday of each Month


Audience: Landowners and Outdoor Enthusiast

Project or Activity: Wildlife Program

Content or Curriculum: Wildlife Management

Inputs: ANR Extension Agent, UK Specialist, Ky Dept of Fish and Wildlife

Date: Fall/Winter



Success Stories

Kentucky Beef Conference Keeps Producers Informed Despite Pandemic

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Beef

In order to prepare producers to be efficient and profitable, Central Kentucky County Extension Agents for Agriculture & Natural Resources have collaborated with Beef and Agricultural Economic Extension Specialists to present the Kentucky Beef Conference annually for over 20 years. Many avenues of scheduling, advertising, and networking must take place for this to be a success. The assistance of long-time business community sponsors has allowed producers to hear from nationally known experts

Full Story

Soil and Pasture Health

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Forages

During the quarantine of 2020, many folks were bound to their homes without the chance to travel and participate in the summer activities that they normally would partake in. Many landowners took this time to notice things on their properties that they could improve, projects that they had been meaning to get to but just had not had the time in previous years. Here at the Clark County Extension Office, I took many of these types of calls through out 2020. Clients would call to learn about lawns,

Full Story

Delivering an Old Program in a New Way

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Beef

“Winter School” is a program that has a lot of history here in Clark County. Original designed over 30 years ago as a weeklong series of classes for local agriculturalist to attend annually, Winter School has adapted during this time to keep up with clientele’s lifestyle changes. Amid the Corona-Virus pandemic in the winter of 2021 it was time again for the Clark County Winter School program to adapt to the times and continue as a staple for the county’s agriculture commu

Full Story

Gardening Series

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

                As the pandemic restrictions began to lift in early 2021, my self and the Clark County FCS Agent began to brainstorm programing ideas for our first in-person meetings for the post-pandemic world. As we thought through this, one obvious topic came to mind. In an attempt to address food security concerns brought on by the pandemic, we decided to host a gardening series, focusing on growing, processing, and preserving your own vegetables

Full Story

Local Media

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

                Extension professionals unfortunately hear this all the time; “Extension is the best kept secret in our town”. That is horrible news because we try so hard to get the word out about everything we do. One great way to combat this is to have a consistent media outlet to help get the word out about knowledge and programs available. Furthermore, it is even better if you can have multiple media outlets to assist in advertising. The r

Full Story
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