Marketing & ProfitabilityPlan of Work

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Harrison County CES

Title:
Marketing & Profitability
MAP:
Sustainable Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Mike Meyer, Jessica Barnes, Jessica Sayre
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:

Agriculture is in a transitional phase and tobacco production has continued to diminish in Harrison County. However, agriculture production and agri-business remain to be a viable economic opportunity for those who choose to be involved. Therefore, new options and opportunities need to be developed. Proper production practices are important. The need to adopt new and improved methods becomes essential.


Ag Development funds have provided more marketing opportunities in the county. Agri-business opportunities are being developed such as vegetables, new technology, and proper production practices. The farms in Harrison County are small with limited income. Farmers and spouses are now working in off-farm jobs for family income and benefits. Farmers are aging so the need for additional labor is essential.

Long-Term Outcomes:

- Much of the good production land will be converted to corn, soybeans, hay production and horticulture crops.

- A renewed interest in beef cattle has been created by the high demand for production of our cow/calf herds.

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Producers and families will find ways to develop new and better products.

- Ideas will be stimulated on ways to market products more efficiently and utilize new technology.

- Apply for and use Ag Development funds.

Initial Outcomes:

- Individuals will attend demonstrations and meetings.

- Individuals will begin implementing new technology practices.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Number of people adopting new and improved techniques.

Indicator: Returning and new participants, new endeavors started

Method: Observation, personal visits, income increased, verbal comments, increased participation

Timeline: All year


Intermediate Outcome: Number of people selling new products and number adapting to change

Indicator: Returning new participants, new endeavors started. Growth in CPH sales and Farmer's Market participation. Increase of youth livestock participants

Method: Income realized, verbal comments, observation, personal visits, and increased participation.

Timeline: All year


Long-term Outcome: Number of participants in production agriculture has stayed the same or increased, with a greater diversity of production types.

Indicator: Returning and new participants, new endeavors started

Method: Observation, personal visits, increased participation in educational opportunities available

Timeline: All year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: CPH Sales

Content or Curriculum: Marketing livestock cooperatively. Income increased

Inputs: volunteers, stockyards

Date: All year


Audience: Local Farmers

Project or Activity: Phase I

Content or Curriculum: Replication of programs for all producers

Inputs: Ag Development Funds

Date: All Year


Audience: Community members, producers

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market

Content or Curriculum: Merchandising Skills Development, New Sales Facility Improved, Recruiting New Members.

Inputs: Farmer's Market Members

Date: May through October


Audience: Local farmers, community members

Project or Activity: Transitioning crops to grain program

Content or Curriculum: Developing new crops, marketing and added income

Inputs: Local Farmers

Date: All Year


Audience: Local farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Economic Update

Content or Curriculum: Develop marketing strategies

Inputs: University of Kentucky Ag Econ staff

Date: Winter


Audience: Local farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Equipment Rental

Content or Curriculum: Use of improved equipment: 3 livestock headgates, chute and electronic scales, 2 Great Plains and 4 Haybuster No-Till seeders, 2 Vegetable Bed Shapers, Water Wheel Setter and Plastic Lifter, Tree Planter, 4 sets of Livestock Panels, and 2 pull type boomless sprayers, lime spreader, chain drag, brillion seeder.

Inputs: Harrison County Beef Cattle Association

Date: All Year


Audience: Local farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and training to help farmers gain knowledge.

Inputs: University of Kentucky Extension Specialists, volunteers, Harrison County Beef Cattle Association, soil conservation, HC Farm Bureau, FSA

Date: Fall


Audience: Community, producers

Project or Activity: Transition crops (vegetable, flowers, horticulture crops)

Content or Curriculum: Demonstration for adoption of new crops

Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension Agents, Farmer's Market Members

Date: All Year


Audience: Local farmers, producers, contractors, and homeowners

Project or Activity: Soil Tests

Content or Curriculum: Prepare testing, proper nutrient needs and saving money by proper application.

Inputs: paid staff, UK regulatory services

Date: All Year


Audience: Tobacco Farmers

Project or Activity: Tobacco Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Update new techniques and chemicals

Inputs: Extension Specialists and Agents

Date: Jan to March


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Animal Science Projects, Equine Education projects and job opportunities in agriculture. Quality assurance through meats judging through Kentucky 4-H Volunteer leaders certification

Content or Curriculum:KLVCR Certification, Kentucky 4-H Equine Volunteer Certification, Ky 4-H Equine Curriculum, Kentucky 4-H Crop Projects Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H volunteers, specialists, agents

Date: All Year


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Judging Groups; Livestock, Dairy, Land, Meats, Horse and Skillathon Teams

Content or Curriculum: Marketing, production, public speaking and communications, selection and decision making, livestock certification kit, local producers and services, 4-H animal science curriculum.

Inputs: 4-H volunteers, agents

Date: All Year


Audience: 4-H members, community members

Project or Activity: Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: Production, food preservation, marketing, communication, livestock certification kit, UK Extension Specialists

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, paid staff

Date: January to August


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: Education, promotion, marketing, production, economics, Livestock certification kit, local businesses / producers, UK Specialist resources

Inputs: UK Specialists, volunteers

Date: All Year


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: Education, promotion, marketing, production, economics, Livestock certification kit, local businesses / producers, UK Specialist resources

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers

Date: All Year


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Livestock Shows

Content or Curriculum: Selection, ethics, production, marketing, livestock certification kit, competitions, judging/selection, showing professionals

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, KDA

Date: All Year


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Ag Reality

Content or Curriculum: Youth participate in a multi-county, hands-on reality simulation where they learn about financial planning, income, expenses, and budgets.

Inputs: Agents and members from ag industry from Harrison and neighboring counties

Date: Spring



Success Stories

Kentucky Beef Conference Keeps Producers Informed Despite Pandemic

Author: Jessica Barnes

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. The assistance of long time business community sponsors has allowed producers to hear from nationally known experts in cattle marketing. COVID-19 restrictions forced the team to re-evaluate how to continue pr

Full Story

Ag Lenders Conference

Author: Jessica Barnes

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Even though we have not been able to meet in person most of this past year, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents across the state as well as our specialists have worked hard to ensure that we are keeping clientele, stakeholders and other agents well informed about what is going on. An example of this would be the Central Kentucky Ag Lender's Conference that was held back in January for our community partners involved in ag lending to be a part of to get the most up to date informatio

Full Story

Rental Equipment Opens Doors for Farmers

Author: Jessica Barnes

Major Program: Beef

Harrison County has been getting an influx of individuals moving in from non-farm backgrounds, purchasing small to moderate size farms and are needing assistance with learning the ropes of farming and what would be best suited for their new land purchase. Many of the individuals are coming into their new endeavor with little to no equipment to utilize for their beginning operation. The Harrison County Beef Cattle Association and the Harrison County Extension Office have partnered together to hav

Full Story
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