Crop and Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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Lewis County CES

Title:
Crop and Livestock Production
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley, Mandi Broderick
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Food Preservation
Situation:

Lewis County is home to 676 farms operating on 117,955 acres with the average farm size being 174 acres. The County Extension Council and the Agriculture Advisory Committee identified crop and livestock production as major components of Lewis County agriculture production. To increase profits it is important for farms to be efficient and increase yield as well as diversify. Youth need to recognize the impact that agriculture has on our daily lives as well as agriculture in the commonwealth.  It is also important that farm families are able to save money and add value to their products and utilizing food preservation  techniques allow them to do that.


Long-Term Outcomes:

Profits will be sustained during tough economic times and increased during strong markets. Producers will get a premium price for their products.


Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.


Lewis Countians will be able to market/sell locally produced garden products that have been safely preserved.



Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth and farmers will improve cow/calf operations by using better genetics, improved feed efficiencies, record keeping, and animal health.


Youth and adults will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food in the areas of animal science.


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


Lewis Countians will safely preserve fresh, locally grown food products.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and sustainable food systems in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.



Youth will learn valuable skills including decision making, record-keeping and leadership skills.


Lewis Countians will learn to safely and properly preserve food products.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Knowledge and skills will be gained in the area of food production.

Method: Self Reporting and Project books

Timeline: Fall 2019


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Youth will turn in record books and be able to offer reasons during showmanship.

Method:Observation

Timeline: Fall 2019


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Lewis Countians learn to safely preserve fresh, local food products.

Method:  Observation

Timeline:  Fall 2019


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Change in data collected before and after East Ky Beef IRM Project.

Method: Data from Eastern Kentucky Beef IRM Project

Timeline: Fall 2020


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Youth Livestock Club participants will explain role of agriculture to 5th graders during Field Day.

Method: Observation

Timeline: Fall 2019


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator:  There are fewer disqualified preserved items at the county fair due to improper techniques used.


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Profits are sustained or increased during tough economic times.

Method: Agent interviews and number of farms are maintained in the county.

Timeline: Winter 2020


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:  Profits are obtained by selling canned goods at the Farmers Market and other eligible venues.

Method:  Self reporting and observation

Timeline:  Summer 2021

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cow/Calf Operators

Project or Activity: East Ky. Beef IRM

Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum on beef production

Inputs: agent time, UK specialist time, and Ky. Beef Network

Date: Winter 2019


Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Fencing School

Content or Curriculum: Laws regarding fencing, properly building a permanent fence, and benefits of electric fences.

Inputs: Local farm stores, Ky Dept. of Agriculture, UK Extension agent, Fencing manufacturers.

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Women Farm Managers

Project or Activity: Farm School for Women

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum and USDA

Inputs: Ag. Agent time, USDA office time, local farm businesses

Date: Fall 2018


Audience: Youth Livestock participants

Project or Activity: Livestock Projects, feeder calf, hogs, lambs, and goats

Content or Curriculum: 4-H approved core curriculum for livestock

Inputs: 4-H curriculum, club leader volunteer, volunteer time, 4-H agent time, program assistant time, ag. agent time.

Date: Fall 2018


Audience: Lewis County 5th graders

Project or Activity: Youth Field Day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Kit and curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent time, Ag. Agent time, Program Assistant Time, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Woodmen of the World, Local farmers, Livestock project participants.

Date: Fall 2018


Audience:  Lewis County Citizens

Project or Activity:  Food Preservation workshop and Micro-processing workshop

Content or Curriculum:  Extension Food Preservation curriculum

Inputs:  FCS Agent time, UK Specialist, Preservation equipment and supplies, UK curriculum

Date: Summer 2019



Success Stories

Farm to Plate Youth Field Day

Author: Glenna Bentley

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

In order to make youth more aware of where their food actually comes from the Lewis County Agents teamed up to host a farm field day for 5th grade youth. This was the third year the program was presented and the first year that we were able to secure a sponsor to cover the cost of lunch for participants.  Lewis County Extension Office agents, Lewis County staff, Mason County Horticulture agent, Mason County Program Assistant, Lewis County and Greenup County Farm Bureau, and Rip’s Farm

Full Story

Accesses to fresh fruits for small producers and commercial growers

Author: Philip Konopka

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Seven Ag and Horticulture agents saw a need to help local farmers and home owners grow either grow their own fruit or help the farmers become more efficient at grow fruit to sell. So regional work shop orchard was held at the Fleming County Extension office in March with over 40 participants attending from 7 counties, including 4 Lewis County residents.  Classes were offered for both the small home grower and the commercial grower on wildlife control, tree management, disease management, an

Full Story

Kentucky Master Logger WebTV- Live Program Provides Training Closer to Home

Author: Philip Konopka

Major Program: Logging Training and Professional Education

On February 6th, 2018 UK Forestry Extension broadcast a live Logger Web TV Program to 25 counties strategically distributed around the state, from the Webcast studio in the Forestry Extension Office. Assistance from the county agents and supporting staff was critical to the success of this program. Counties opened their offices up, assisted with registration, answering and conveying questions, and much more. By hosting this Logger TV program from our webcast studio in the format that we did, we

Full Story

Master Hay Maker

Author: Philip Konopka

Major Program: Forages

With the Buffalo Trace counties representing a large portion of rural area, forage production plays a vital role for agriculture across the five counties. With one of the largest alfalfa producing counties in the state along with high ranking grass hay production, offering a program to focus on improving forage quality would benefit local producers and agriculture operations in the Buffalo Trace Counties. The area Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents worked with specialist, agents, and local

Full Story
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