Producing & Marketing Agricultural ProductsPlan of Work

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Powell County CES

Title:
Producing & Marketing Agricultural Products
MAP:
Sustaining the Profitability of Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Jason Vaughn, Kendyl Redding
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Small Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

The agricultural landscape of the county has dramatically changed in the past ten years and continues to do so. Tobacco was once the largest cash crop for farmers but now has transitioned to livestock (beef cattle), grains and garden produce. Livestock revenues continue to increase as many beef cattle producers increase herd size and rely on the expansion of their beef cattle enterprise to replace tobacco income. There continues to be a demand from consumers for local produce. Sales from Kentucky food products are expected to increase from $14 million (2014) to $24 million in 2020. Extension has resources to educate producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning and marketing strategies to expand the local food system.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers and youth will continue to learn about new crop and livestock production and marketing opportunities which will enable them to sustain and manage their rural farms.

Farmers will benefit economically by applying best practices in livestock, diversification, crop production and/or marketing recommended by extension.  

Powell County farms will sustain economic and environmental challenges

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers Market vendors increase with amore diverse selection and quantity of produce.

Farmers and youth apply recommendations to market crops and livestock, including special sales and market opportunities.  

Beef cattle producers will utilize new and improved production methods such as rotational grazing, improved forage varieties and higher quality feed for their animals.  

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers discover production practices to improve forage (i.e. cover crops, soil testing, forage testing, pasture management)

Farmers discuss livestock health, genetics, and reproduction.

Farmers discover new produce and/or crop varieties to diversify farm operation.  

Farmers identify farm management practices that can benefit their operation.  

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Are farmers utilizing new crops, methods and markets? Has income increased?

Method: Surveys, questionnaires, general observation

Timeline: Year long


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Has Farmer's Market and beef producer members increased usage and sales of products.

Method: Data to be collected by surveys.

Timeline: Surveys at the end of growing season and year long.


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: The new knowledge that is being obtained to produce and market new crops and livestock.

Method: Surveys used at Farmer's Market, Livestock Association and 4-H livestock club meetings regarding new or improved crop and livestock production.

Timeline: Year long

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Farm Families, General Public

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market Association Customer Appreciation Days and Product Demonstration Days

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Proud, GAP, HB391, WIC, Senior Coupons

Inputs: Extension Staff, KDA Representatives, Local Businesses

Date: Year long


Audience: County/Area Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Livestock Producers Association Meetings and Activities

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists, Local Ag Leaders, Master Cattlemen, KCA, Master Grazer Program, KDA, Advanced Master Cattlemen

Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension Agents, Local Ag Leaders

Date: Year long


Audience: Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Beekeepers Educational Meetings

Content or Curriculum: KDA, Kentucky Beekeepers Association

Inputs: KSU and UK Specialists, KDA Beekeepers, Local Beekeepers

Date: Year long


Audience: Farmers, Farm Owners, Youth, Farm Families, General Public

Project or Activity: Farmer-Banker Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Forages, Grain Production, Beef Production, Phase I announcements

Inputs: Whitaker Bank, UK Specialists, Extension Agents, Soil Conservation, Volunteers

Date: Fall Annually


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Down on the Farm Day, Farm Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: KDA, Farm Statistics, SNAP-ED, Progressive Ag Foundation, 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Powell County FFA, School District, Lions Club, Extension Agents, Volunteers

Date: Spring and Fall Annually


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Environmental Camp

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree

Inputs: Extension Agent, School District, Science & Ecology Club Volunteers, East KY Power, and Clark Energy

Date: Fall Annually


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club Program & Activities

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Natural Resources Curriculum, 4-H Shooting Sports Resources

Inputs: Extension Agent, Volunteers

Date: Year Long


Audience:  Youth

Project or Activity:  4-H Livestock Club & showing

Content or Curriculum:  KDA show rules/regulations, 4-H Ag Curriculum

Inputs:  Extension Staff, KDA

Date:  Year Round




Success Stories

Farmer's Market Training During the Pandemic

Author: Jason Vaughn

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Powell County Farmer’s market is beloved in the community for the direct access to fresh locally grown produce.  The market is also a vital revenue stream for farmers in the community.  The Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainty surrounding the safety of the market threatened to cancel the 2020 market season.  Extension identified the need to educate market vendors, consumers and help guide the implementation of practices to ensure the safety of the community by proper logist

Full Story

Flexibility with Education

Author: Jason Vaughn

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund provide monies to implement the County Ag Investments Program.  The program runs through county councils and provides money directly to farmers allowing for investments in key farming operations.  In Powell County, farmers must complete a qualified educational component to receive the cost shared funds.  Traditionally, applicants would attend one of a couple educational classes offered at the extension office.  Covid 19 prevented the

Full Story

Powell and Clark County Beekeepers Continue On

Author: Jason Vaughn

Major Program: Beekeeping

The Covid 19 pandemic caused many losses.  Many of our social and educational club routines were disrupted.  Prior to the pandemic, the Powell and Clark County Beekeepers association was a group that embodies the ideas of the Cooperative Extension service.   The group is educational and service oriented in its mission.  Knowledge, resources and experience is shared freely among club members.The groups monthly zoom meetings to comply with restrictions were poorly attended. &nb

Full Story
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