Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting commodities and agriculture awareness
Strengthening Agriculture and Natural Resources
Bryant, Hinton
Beef
Grain Crops
Local Food Systems
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, with 1,305 farms located in Breckinridge County (USDA 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. Breckinridge county continues to have diverse income from livestock, grain and tobacco, with Livestock sales of $45 million, $ 8.1 million in tobacco sales and finally $ 22.9 million in sales of grain and oilseeds(Census of Agriculture, 2012). As we continue to improve the genetics on farms, we look for more opportunities to add on value along the production chain of crops and livestock. As prices for inputs stabilize we need a combined effort to improve the value of both crops and livestock. In our county, we have identified 50 young farm families that are set to improve their family farms and begin the transition of the operation.
Participants will have improved end product quality and food safety, enhanced profit margin, greater enjoyment from farming, long term viability, and improved profitability and efficiency. Farmers market vendors will encourage marketing in other avenues, and search for more ways to please their customer. Participants will have an increased knowledge of the Ag Development Fund Cost Share programs such as CAIP, as well as NRCS Programs such as CSP. Youth participants will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise, gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H, and be an advocate for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Participants will negotiate for better input prices, follow soil test recommendations, and move to more diverse pest control to help reduce the incidence of resistant weeds. Participation in Cost Share programs will give them the opportunity to improve or expand their farming operation. Grain farmers will receive monthly updates on grain markets to increase their knowledge and skill of marketing grains successfully. Farmers Market participants will make small changes in their marketing practices. Youth participants will practice and apply skills and knowledge related to food production, explain the role of agriculture in their daily lives, and adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
During monthly cattle production meetings, participants will gain knowledge of nutrient needs of growing calves, budgeting (including differences between variable and fixed costs), financial programs, and decision making with implications for profitability. Participants will be able to describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being. Tobacco farmers will utilize information and record keeping practices obtained in the mandatory GAP meetings. Farmers Market participants will look for advise on marketing commodities, and try a few changes to their marketing plan. Youth participants will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in areas of plant sciences, horticulture, and animal sciences. Youth will also gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems and develop skills such as decision making, communications, record keeping, leadership, and service.
Initial Outcome: Practices being put in place for increase net farm income
Indicator: Soil Sample numbers, and calls on recommendations on soil samples.. Increase in farm calls for PESTS problems, such as weeds, diseases and insects. Increase in requests for newsletter and to be on the mailing lists. Increase in requests for information and on farm visits. Decrease in problems in certain crops.
Method: numbers from soil database, and increase in number of calls for assistance.
Timeline: 2017-18
Intermediate Outcome: Improved net farm income
Indicator: Surveys returned, Improvement and upgrade of equipment on local farms
Method: Surveys and customer comments
Timeline:2017-2019
Long-term Outcome: Farms learn and use more value added avenues for their crops
Indicator: Increase in Farmers Market value added sales, more information requested for new crops such as Hi Tunnels, more intense labor crops such as HEMP. Increase in participants trained in Micro Processing from our area.
Method: review of the BC Farmers Market, review of producer requests.
Timeline: 2017-2019
Audience: Local 6th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Agriculture Expo
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture Awareness resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, volunteer leadership, community sponsors
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Local Grain Farmers
Project or Activity: Monthly grain crops update meetings
Content or Curriculum: Local grain elevators, UK Specialists.
Inputs: UK Specialists, Local grain elevators, local farmers.
Audience: Local Grain Farmers
Date: Fall and winter 2017/2018
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Jr. Master Gardeners
Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardener curriculum and Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public library, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: Summer 2017 and Summer 2018
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Clubs (Youth Livestock, Poultry, Rabbit, Horse, and Dog Clubs)
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum for Animal Science, Horticulture, and Agriculture
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public library, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2017-2018 program year
Audience: Farm and home owners
Project or Activity: Field day events, winter meetings, monthly meetings for cattle producers and Bee keepers
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by the specific specialists
Inputs: BCCA, State Specialists, Local producers for field events, supporting agencies, SCS and FSA
Date: 2017-2018 program year
Audience: Farm and home owners
Project or Activity: Industry visits, programs by UK Animal Science dept., program by KY Proud coordinator
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by the specific specialists
Inputs: BCCA, State Specialists, Local producers for field events, supporting agencies, BC Farmers Market
Date: 2017-2018 program year
Audience: Farmers Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Bi-Annual Update and weekly visits on how to improve their marketability.
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by KY Proud, present market success
Inputs: local vendors, Extension Agent, consumer surveys
Date: 2017-2018
Audience: Public
Project or Activity: Sweet corn Variety Trial, State Flower Garden Trial
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by State Horticulture Specialists
Input: local market vendors, office staff, Detention Center, Master Gardeners, State Specialists,
Date: 2017-18
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Beef
I have been able to move one of my farmers into the IRM program. He came to me with a few things he needed assistance with in his beef herd and especially his forages, then I knew I had found the perfect candidate for IRM program. We discussed the IRM program, he gathered the needed information, and attended the required 2 (two) ZOOM meetings to become oriented with the program and how it was going to work. We did a farm visit, set target areas to look for on farm trials,
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
According to the USDA, Kentucky has the 4th largest number of farms in the United States with 55% of land designated for agriculture. However, as the global population grows, and demands for agricultural products grow, the need for individuals with agricultural knowledge or careers related to agriculture will continue to grow. In Breckinridge County, few classrooms incorporate agriculture into their curriculum each year and many students have very little understanding of how agriculture impacts
