Ag ProductionPlan of Work

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Knott County CES

Title:
Ag Production
MAP:
Ag Production and Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Chad Conway, Linda Combs, Dora Centers
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Small Farm Management
Situation:

According to the CEDIK report, agriculture is an emerging business for Knott County. Although agriculture is not as prevalent in Knott County as in other parts of the state, the county does have twenty-two full-time farmers, and several part-time farmers, who own small farms. Most of these producers have very diversified operations with small numbers of livestock and/or acres of pasture and crops. Even though these are smaller operations, they still add financial support to their families and to the county. Farm acreage has increased steadily in the last fifteen years, mostly due to increased use of reclaimed strip mine lands. The major livestock in the county consists of beef cattle, goats, and horses. The major crops consist of hay, corn, ornamentals, bedding plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also, a large number of the people in the county raise a garden or fruit crops for home use. Harvested forage lands have more than doubled during the last five years, as well as a large increase in the number of cropland acres that have been harvested due to the use of reclaimed mine land. A recent Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service survey for Knott County showed a need for training in gardening skills, and more market opportunities for farmers. The County Extension Council and Agriculture & Natural Resources Council have directed the extension agent to address the above areas with the necessary emphasis on diversification and small farm production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit of both youth and adults, but mainly directed to those individuals involved in, or with an interest in livestock, forages, fruit, and vegetable production, both commercially and family based.


Long-Term Outcomes:

Agricultural producers will manage their farms and resources to receive the most profit or production from their operations. Agriculture producers will utilize new innovations to be more productive in operations. They will develop the knowledge necessary manage their agricultural operations to wisely use the land and resources for sustainability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

An increase in agriculture production with emphasis in livestock and horticulture.

*Best Management Practices will be used for their agricultural operations

*An increase in the diversity of agriculture operations will occur

*An increase in necessary management skills being used

*An increased utilization of reclaimed mine lands as part of agricultural operations in county

* Vegetable producers will utilize new innovative techniques to increase production and quality of vegetable

*Increase access to public for local fresh fruits and vegetables

Initial Outcomes:

Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.

*Knowledge of new and improved management skills for improved profitability

*Knowledge of new methods to use reclaimed lands.

*Understanding the importance of diversity in small enterprises

* Knowledge of local markets to expand operations

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: increase awareness of gardening resources through extension

Indicator: increase client awareness of success of extension education

Method: individual client consultation and  advertisement of educational classes

Timeline: throughout year

Intermediate Outcome: Individual are capable of increasing growing quality fruit and vegetables

Indicator: increase in client awareness from clients and other individuals

Method: individual consultation and educational classes

Timeline: throughout year


Long-term Outcome:  An increase in quality food grown by individuals to help feed their families

Indicator: less food insecurity in county

Method: research education taught by extension staff

Timeline: throughout year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Horticulture Producers

Activity: Insect and disease control workshop

Content or Curriculum: Research information and educational curriculum UK Horticulture

Inputs: via zoom and social media, and basic gardening class if applicable 

Date: Annually


Audience: Senior Citizens, Adult Training Centers, and Low Income Housing Complexes

Activity:  Raised Bed Gardening education

Content:  Raised Bed & UK Horticulture Curriculum

Date:  Annually


Audience: Cattle Producers

Activity: East Ky Beef IRM Program

Content or Curriculum: feeding, reproduction, forages, health, and general management

Inputs: Research, Specialists, and Agents

Date: Continuous


Activity : Value Added Cattle Producers Meeting

Content: Zoom Meeting and Social Media, and cattle producers meeting

Inputs: Research, Specialists, and Agents

Winter meetings

Activity: Conservation Sustainability

Content or Curriculum: Soil sampling, cost-share programs, and related issues

Inputs: Knott Co Conservation District

Date: Continual


Audience: Gardeners

Activity: Soil Health for Gardeners

Inputs: Research, Curriculum from Land Grant Universities

Inputs: Zoom meeting and Social media 

Date: August 2020


Activity: Knott County Agriculture & Natural Resources newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Addresses various issues at critical time, and announcement of upcoming AGNR programs

Inputs: research based information from land grant universities

Date: Monthly


Activity: Beekeeping

Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping club, annual beekeeping school, KSU beekeeping programs

Inputs: KSU Bee Program, KDA Bee Program, and local producers knowledge

Date: Bi monthly


Audience: Knott County Farmers

Activity:  KADF County Agriculture Investment Program

Content: Opportunity with investment to improve and expand farming operation

Inputs: Educational Assistance with projects

Date: Continually



Success Stories

Benefits of cover crops reaches a record number through virtual class

Author: Chadwick Conway

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Each year the Knott County Agriculture Agent teaches a class in the fall on Cold Crops and Cover Crops.  This class covers various topics, such as, what crops can be grown in the fall and how to extend fresh vegetables later into the season. This class is always an interest to many gardeners who are looking at ways to increase the availability of fresh local foods.  Although, this a great part of the class, it allows the agent to educate the participants on the importance of cover crop

Full Story

UK Extension program improves beef production in Eastern Kentucky

Author: Chadwick Conway

Major Program: Beef

The Eastern Kentucky Integrated Reproduction Management Program was designed by the University of Kentucky Beef Extension Specialist Program to improve beef production in Eastern Kentucky. Knott County has had five different cow/calf farmers participate in the program through the past five years. After these years in the program, all the farm operations now have a controlled calving season. Also, the new opportunities and the concepts they acquired from the program have enabled them to increase

Full Story
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