Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture practice Plan of Work

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Anderson County CES

Title:
Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture practice
MAP:
Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Agents Involved:
Alex Butler and Susan Campbell
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Situation:

The Anderson County Agriculture Economy has undergone significant changes in recent years. As a result farmers are seeking new opportunities to generate on farm income. Local leadership have identified a need to improve agriculture productivity and assist beginning farmers. Producers need to implement best management practices that will promote profitable operations while responsibly utilizing natural resources. 


Long-Term Outcomes:

Agricultural producers use best management practices and at the same time sustaining the farm family competitiveness of their farm operation

Vegetable and Fruit producers will decrease the amount of chemicals used on farm.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Agricultural producers adopt and utilize technology and production practices in beef, dairy, crops, forages and horticulture.

Farmers minimize the cost of production while maximizing the competitiveness.

Youth can apply their knowledge of animal care and/or agriculture related endeavors

Vegetable and Fruit producers will apply IPM principles to their farming practice.

Initial Outcomes:

Agricultural producers gain skills in management of farming operations.


Youth understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to individual health and financial well-being

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Livestock producers will increase efficiency through utilization of extended grazing, reduced feed costs, better reproductive management. 

Indicator: Percentage increase in value added sales. Increased utilization of estrus synchronization products. Adoption of alternative forage systems such as summer annual forages, extended grazing and native warm season grasses. 

Method: Surveys and evaluations of workshops, sales and programs 

Timeline: Throughout Year 

Intermediate Outcome:Producers will utilize the Anderson County Cooperative Extension Service to make research based decisions. 

Indicator:  Increased number of farmers and producers use the diagnostic services of the extension office. 

Method:  Keep records of the number of producers who use the diagnostic services at the extension service 

Timeline: Throughout Year

Initial Outcome: Producers will develop more knowledge of marketing opportunities and learn to use risk management to protect their investments

Indicator: Number of producers reporting change and new knowledge

Method: Face-to-face interviews.

Timeline: Throughout the year

Long-Term Outcome: Farmers implement practices learned in Master Series Programming

Indicator: Practices adopted to improve farm profitability

Method: Surveys, oral feedback and on-farm demonstrations

Timeline: All year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Livestock Club members; 4-H Horse Club members

Project or Activity: Livestock and Horse club meetings and competitions

Content or Curriculum: 4-H project materials

Inputs: Club meetings, competitions, training, field days

Method: Judging competitions, oral reasons, quiz and other events

Date: Sept. - August.

Audience: Local farmers, beef producers, Cattleman's Association

Project or Activity: Farmers will be made aware of opportunities available through the Ky Beef Network throughout the year

Content or Curriculum: Research based approved publications

Inputs: Publications, UK agriculture specialists, guest speakers

Date: All year

Audience: Anderson County Residents 

Project or Activity: Diagnostic Services included but limited to soil samples, plant diseases and identification, insect identification, manure and water samples, livestock feed testing, hay testing 

Content or Curriculum:  UK Extension Resources 

Inputs: ANR agent, UK Extension Specialists, Diagnostic Labs and Resources 

Date: Throughout Year 

Audience: Anderson County Residents 

Project or Activity: Classes & Programs 

Content or Curriculum: UK and other Land Grant institutions 

Inputs: ANR , UK Extension Specialists,  

Date: Throughout the Year 







Success Stories

Bale Grazing Field Day

Author: Alex Butler

Major Program: Forages

Bale Grazing Success StoryThe USDA Census reports that Anderson County has 458 Forage Operations on 20,764 acres producing 37,060 tons of dry equivalent. Combining county forage operations with the 380 Cow-calf operations with 15,880 head and 340 Beef Cattle Operations with 8,263 head, one can discern that efficient forage utilization is key to the success of cattle operators. Efforts put forth by the Extension Agent with the guidance of Extension Specialists in forage production and economics p

Full Story
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