Lewis County CES

Title:

Sustainability of Family Farms

MAP:

Agriculture-Sustainability of Family Farms

Agents Involved:

Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley, Mandi Broderick

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture

Situation:

In today's society many lack understanding regarding agriculture and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013).  The National Agricultural Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one "who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life" (Spielmaker et. al., 2014 p.2). One key initiative in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young persons awareness of the impact agriculture has on his or her daily life. This can also be expanded to teach adults as well the impact agriculture has on their life.

Production agriculture is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent) for the foreseeable future especially with the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The majority of Kentucky agriculture is produced on small farms and this is true for Lewis County.  Over the past 20 years the College of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Service have contributed to improving access to local, healthier foods by training and certification of farmers, gardeners, and food entrepreneurs.  Food processing can begin with washing produce, home baking or canning, and evolve to commercial production.  The local food movement contributes to the increase of local Farmers Markets.  Food processing continues with Kentucky beef production which ranks the eighth largest beef state in the United States.  It is important to educate local farmers on best management practices to: keep cost down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land, reduce antibiotic use and practice good animal welfare.  These practices will help ensure local food security.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth and adults will be agriculturally literate and make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.  
• Maximize profit for agriculture producers and minimize the environmental impact of air, soil, or living area.
• Increase and maintain accessibility of local produced foods including the amount and variety of locally grown and or processed foods.
• Producers save money, reduce expenses, improve animal welfare, have healthier herds, reduce antibiotic use, and improve marketing opportunities through educational programming. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life
• Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agriculture projects and clubs and life situations.
• Farmers will adopt usage of new technology, use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease, and weeds.
• Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations.
• Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and safety.
• Earn certification to distribute or sell raw and processed foods.

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber 
• Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision making, critical thinking, communications, wise use of resources and leadership.
• Identification of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and understanding of production regulations.
• Identify resistant pest and strategies to overcome these pest.
• Recognize required food safety practices and describe proper food safety handling and processing.
• Increase knowledge of budgeting, record keeping, marketing strategies and economic risk.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber

Indicator:  Survey for Farm to Plate program

Method:  Youth answer yes to understanding of where food comes from on administered survey.

Timeline: Fall 2021 to Fall 2024

Initial Outcome:  Youth plan and implement an animal livestock project

Indicator:  Youth complete livestock project 

Method:  Project is auctioned at Germantown Fair

Timeline:  Winter 2021-Fall 2024

Initial Outcome: Producers will increase knowledge on herd management, animal handling and welfare, and early recognition of calving problems and corrective measures.

Indicator: Farmers will become BQCA certified

Method: BQCA test

Timeline:  Fall 2020- Spring 2024

Initial Outcome:  Lewis Countians Learn to safely preserve fresh, local food products.

Indicator:  Fewer items entered into fair are disqualified.

Method: Fair entry records

Timeline:  Fall 2021-Fall 2024

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agriculture projects, clubs, and life situations.

Indicator:  Youth complete livestock project

Method:  Youth sell livestock project at Germantown fair

Timeline:  Winter 2021-Fall 2021

Intermediate Outcome: Producers use diagnostic services to identify insects, diseases, and weed and utilize soil and forage test to determine nutritional quality.

Indicator:  Number of test and identifications done by the Extension Office.

Method:  Testing of soil and forage and getting proper identification of problem pest.

Timeline:  2020-2024

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

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

Method:  Judging at Tollesaboro Fair

Timeline: Summer 2020-Summer 2024

Long-term Outcome:  Youth become Agriculture literate

Indicator:  Youth demonstrate understanding of Agriculture 

Method:  End of year survey 

Timeline:  Fall 2020=2024

Long-term Outcome:  Farmers implement new technologies.

Indicator: Farmers adopt the usage of new technologies and fertility management recommendations.

Method:  Testimonials and Observation 

Timeline: Fall 2020-Spring 2024

Long-term Outcome: Profits obtained from selling properly preserved foods.

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

Method:  Testimonials

Timeline:  Summer 2020-Summer 2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  5th graders in Lewis County

Project or Activity:  Farm to Plate Field Day

Content or Curriculum:  4-H Livestock curriculum

Inputs:  Extension professionals, volunteers, youth, producers, Lewis County Farm Bureau grant and personnel, Lewis County schools, Mike Setters Farm, RIP's Farm Center, Gertie the milking cow, Dairy Farmers of America, and Kentucky Dairy Development Council.

Date: September 2020

Audience:  Lewis County Youth

Project or Activity:  4-H Livestock project 

Content or Curriculum:  Livestock curriculum 

Inputs:  Agents time, leaders time, UK curriculum, youth, Rip's Farm Center, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Hinton Mills, Local business that support youth at auction, Tollesboro Fair Board, Lewis County Extension Office Meeting facilities, and Lewis County schools.

Date:  Winter 2021-Fall 2014

Audience: Female Farm Managers

Project or Activity:  Farm School For Women

Content or Curriculum:  UK curriculum

Inputs: Extension Agents, UK specialist, Extension Office Meeting facilities, Advisory Councils, UK curriculum

Date: Fall 2020-Fall 2024

Audience:  Lewis County Farmers

Project or Activity:  County Field Day

Content or Curriculum: UK current research on Agriculture production

Inputs: Extension Agents, UK specialist, Local Farm, Advisory Councils, UK curriculum, RIP's Farm Center, Rose Farm Supply, Southern States Cooperative, Ag Pro Supply, WW Industries

Date: Fall 2020-Fall 2024

Audience: Local farm families

Project or Activity:  Micro-processing Workshop, Food Preservation, and Food Dehydrating

Content or Curriculum:  UK Curriculum on Micro-Processing, Food Preservation curriculum from UK

Inputs:  Agents, UK specialist, preservation equipment, demonstration supplies and equipment, 

Date: Fall 2020-Fall 2024

Success Stories