A Well Farmed CountrysidePlan of Work

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Henry County CES

Title:
A Well Farmed Countryside
MAP:
Sustainable Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Levi Berg
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forestry Industry Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Ag Marketing
Situation:
In brainstorming and futuring sessions groups and individuals both farm and non-farm, identified their desire to see Henry County identified their desire was to see Henry County remain a “well farmed” countryside. Over the past few years, we see a decrease in dependence on tobacco and more emphasis being placed on animal ag, forages, and alternative cropping systems, and farms are looking for more direct to consumer marketing, increased value added enterprises.
Long-Term Outcomes:
There is a diverse number of crops being used. Farm profitability increases due to increased farm production and management techniques. Animal production markets increase with value-added and diverse animal production. Farm numbers increase do to retention and growth.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Animal production increases due to feed efficiency. Producers use more record keeping materials to improve money flow and asses farm inefficiencies. Farmers' market increases vendors and amounts of produce being sold.
Initial Outcomes:
Individuals begin to understand different cropping systems, potential crops, management techniques to conserve farm land,Senior and WIC farmers' market nutrition program coupons are handed out and used, and Farm Service Agency and NRCS increased numbers of individuals looking to utilize their programs.
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Individuals understand alternative cropping systems, state and federal programs, and farmers' market vendors increase training to accept senior and WIC coupons

Method: surveys before and after programs. Number of attendees to WIC and Senior Trainings

Timeline: Feb and March 2018


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Increased number of vendors at the farmers' market, Number of farms being retained, increased animal efficiency, and increased record keeping software useage.

Method: surveys six months after programs and use reports from the Henry County Farmers' Market, NCRS and FSA

Timeline: Oct and Nov 2018


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: More diverse crops are being used, and farmers are increasing profit through more efficient practices.

Method: Reports for NRCS, FSA, KDA, and Census Data

Timeline: Dec 2018

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Nutrition program training

Content or Curriculum: KDA information about the programs

Inputs: KDA, Extension Agents, Farmers' Market vendors, and Heath department

Date: Feb 2018


Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Diverse Crop Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Extension Specialist

Inputs: Extension specialist, local marketing experts, and KDA

Date: June 2018


Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Government Funding Programs

Content or Curriculum: KDA, NRCS, and FSA information

Inputs: Local Government, local extension, KDA, NRCS, and FSA,

Date: Jan 2018


Audience: Farmer, Students, Extension Specialist, State agency representatives, commercial representative

Project or Activity: Forestry Workshop

Content or Curriculum: KDA, UK Extension, and Kentucky Department of Forestry information

Inputs: KDA, Extension Agents, Kentucky Department of Forestry

Date: Feb 2018



Success Stories

2017 Regional Beef Field Day

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Beef

Educating local producers is a high priority in Henry County. Showing them some of the many opportunities available to land owners wanting to raise beef cattle is the premise of these field days. Livestock is important to Henry County with pastureland making up 27.2 % of all land in the county and an inventory of 22,770 head of cattle, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Because of the importance and prevalence of cattle production in this area, Agriculture Extension agents in Oldh

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2017 Master Cattlemen's Series

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Beef

According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Henry County has almost $10,000,000 of cattle sales, and a cattle inventory of over 22,000 head. With this being said, cattle production is extremely important to the economic status of Henry Country. With this knowledge, the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service decide to work with the Shelby and Oldham Extension Offices to host the 2017 Master Cattlemen’s Series. The Master Cattlemen’s Series is a ten week beef education series cove

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Master Haymaker

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Forages

Henry County is known for raising superior livestock and forage, due in large part to the county’s success producing beef cattle and forages. Thus, the demand for high quality hay and other stored forages is continually increasing and producers are seeking ways in which to differentiate their end-product, whether that be the forage itself or the animals that consume it.Shelby and Henry counties partnered to host the Master Haymaker series consisting of seven sessions taught by UK specialis

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Lunch and Learn: Gardening Series

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Even though Henry County is heavily steeped in animal production, forage production, and tobacco production, many Henry County residents devote many hours and care to their beloved backyard gardens, and each year, many residents contact the Henry County Extension Office for assistance with gardening questions. With this knowledge, the Henry County Extension Office and the Henry County Public Library joined together to produce a four part gardening series. All session were held at the Henry Count

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