Extension
It Starts With Us
Farm Profitablity
Agriculture & Environment
Paul Sizemore
Beef
Forages
Horticulture, Commercial
Owsley County is a small agrarian county located in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Over the last decade tobacco production has decreased more than 90% therefore leaving only about 300,000 pounds county wide. Many producers have diversified their operations by implementing other practices or commodities such as an increased number of livestock and increased acreage for vegetable production for home and commercial Horticulture. Other crops grown in Owsley County include cabbage, pepper, strawberries, corn, brambles, forages and various fruit trees. Animals produced in Owsley County include beef cattle, horses, goats and some small scale swine and poultry operations. Agriculture still remains one of the top ten industries in Owsley County. The Owsley County Extension Council and Agriculture and Natural Resources Council have directed us to address the above issues in terms of diversification into small and large scale production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults. Mainly directed to those individuals involved or with an interest in livestock, crops, fruit and vegetable production both commercially or family based.
Agricultural producers will manage their operations in a more profitable manner as well as increase the quality of the products they are producing.
*An increase in necessary management skills being used.
*An increased understanding of pesticide usage.
*An increase in the diversity of agriculture operations will occur.
*Understanding the importance of diversity in small enterprises.
*Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.
*Knowledge of new and improved management skills for increased profitability.
*Understanding the direct market approach.
Initial Outcome: Number of participants that diversify their agricultural operations
Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.
Method: Observations and surveys
Timeline: Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Intermediate Outcome: Number of participants that utilize new management skills.
Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.
Method: Observations and surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and time for implementation 2020-2021.
Long-term Outcome:Number of participants that increase their farm profitability.
Indicator:Percentage of program participants that show changes.
Method:Observations and surveys
Timeline:Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
Audience:Beef Cattle Producers.
Project or Activity:Producers Meetings.
Content or Curriculum:Feeding, Reproduction, Forages, Health, Record Keeping and General Management.
Inputs:Agent and Guests Speakers.
Date:Spring and Fall Meetings.
Audience:Interested Consumers
Project or Activity:Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum:Curing a Country Ham.
Inputs:Agent Led Program.
Date:Winter 2021
Audience:Farmers/Producers
Project or Activity:Educational Programs for The Agriculture Development Program.
Content or Curriculum:Hay Storage, Equipment Storage, Beef Quality Assurance
Inputs:Agent Led
Date:Throughout the year 2020-2021
Audience: Farmers and Producers
Project or Activity: Agriculture Production Programs.
Content or Curriculum: Various Agriculture and Economic Related Issues and Sustainable Agriculture.
Inputs: Agent and Specialist.
Date: Throughout the year 2020-2021 as Needed.
Audience: Farmers, Producers and Landowners.
Project or Activity: Conservation Programs.
Content or Curriculum: Soil Sampling, Cost Share Programs and Related Issues.
Inputs: Agent and Guest Speakers.
Date: Spring and Fall 2020-2021.
Audience: Farmers, Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Registration, Training for Market Programs FARMACY, Senior Vouchers and Wic. Marketing and Marketing Techniques.
Inputs: Agent, Specialist and Guest Speakers
Date: Summer 2020
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Owsley County Farmers Market was in the process of finalizing plans for the 2020 market season, most all vendors had been through the annual training and were tying up any loose ends when all of a sudden a World Pandemic has been declared due to the spread of the Coronavirus. As we waited for instruction and the opening day got closer, the responsible thing to do was arrange a meeting with our local Health Department and our vendors to seek guidance on how to proceed. Vendors were given inst
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Chemical Management
Each fall, the Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service hosts a meeting for commercial pesticide applicators to help them receive Continuing Education Units so that they can keep their licenses from year to year. With COVID 19 disrupting in-person meetings, the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent started searching for a ZOOM meeting for the Owsley County applicators, we were successful in joining as a watch party with Spencer and many other counties in November. Topics for the
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Farm diversification has become a must to compete in the ever changing market place of agriculture. Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service conducted a workshop to help farmers diversify their operations and find resources to assist in developing infrastructure at their operations. Owsley County Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Kentucky Sate Small Farm Program worked with farmers to obtain High Tunnels and other Projects that would help them to Diversify.&nbs
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Eastern Kentucky has very few resources for locally grown fruit plants at a reasonable price. The Extension Agents of 22 counties and Wise County Virginia come together each year to do a bulk order of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, asparagus and candy onion transplants. The combination of that many orders makes it possible for deep discounts to the customer. For example if a customer only wants 50 strawberry plant and orders directly from the nursery the cost is
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
The zoom series began on February 1 and continued through the end of April. Topics were: Small Ruminant Management, Preparing for Spring Gardening, Calving & Calf Health, Farm Management Strategies for Improved Decision Making, Diagnosing Problems in the Home Lawn, Fruit Tree Grafting, Produce Best Practice Training, Marketing at the Farmers Market, Raised Bed Gardening, and Pond Management. Fruit Tree Growers Workshop, Mushrooming & Foraging 101, and Wilderness Safety & First Aid. T
