Improve Crop Production and ManagementPlan of Work

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Rockcastle County CES

Title:
Improve Crop Production and Management
MAP:
Promote Crop Procuction and Management
Agents Involved:
Garrard Coffey
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Chemical Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Hay testing
Situation:

New and improved crop production practices are continually developing. Rockcastle Producers manage 30,000 acres pasture, 20,000 acres hay, 3,000 acres corn 2,500 acres soybeans,150 acres Tobacco along with Home & Commercial Vegetables.Producers need assistance placing practices in use to improve their production and marketing. Local tobacco, forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers assist in program identification and implantation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Tobacco, forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers utilize better management skills through current technology allowing for increased income and economic stability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Tobacco, forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers will seek and implement new management marketing skills.

Initial Outcomes:

Agriculture producers will gain knowledge in current technology and implement practices as it relates to crop and horticulture production, including variety selection, disease management, fertility recommendations, storage, CAIP investments and marketing.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Tobacco and Grain producers utilize area producer meetings, variety trials, soil test, weed management and Extension farm visits.

Indicator: Number utilizing and measure impact.

Method: Survey producers to collect data.

Timeline: Spring through Fall (February-November)


Outcome: Forage producers utilize producer meetings, soil test, County Agriculture Investment Program and hay storage facilities.

Indicator: Number of producers attending meetings, number and results of soil test, participation in CAIP, number and amount hay stored in facilities.

Method: Number in meetings, participation in CAIP, plus analyze data from soil test and completion surveys.

Timeline: Year round


Outcome: Horticulture producers utilize producer meetings, variety selection, soils test, Farmers Market, WIC, and Senior Grants.

Indicator: Number of producers in market and amounts generated.

Method: Survey producers and collect data.

Timeline: March through October

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Forage and Livestock producers

Project or Activity: Hay testing, Soil testing, forage improvement, forage management, farm management, conservation practices, Pesticide applicator trainings

Content or Curriculum: Fertility management, variety selection, forage management, harvesting and storage methods.

Inputs: Agent and Specialist work on variety selection, harvesting, fertility recommendations, cost share for storage programs, Special Circular Material, and personal visits, podcasts, youtube and facebook videos

Date: Year round

Audience: Home and Commercial Horticulture Producers

Project or Activity: Farmers Market planning, Producer Best Practice Training, Senior Voucher and WIC programs, Disease management/prevention, soil testing, plant diagnostics, Pest Management, Pesticide Applicator Trainings

Content or Curriculum: Production methods, fertility recommendations,variety selection, disease management,qualifying for nutrition grants and marketing.

Inputs: Agent, Dept. of Agriculture, Health Department and Senior Center Staff will work with Farmer Market Vendors, podcasts, and instructional videos on facebook and youtube

Date: April-October




Success Stories

Soil Testing

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

In January of 2022 the Rockcastle County Extension Office offer a soil testing class.  This class focused on the taking and preparing the soil sample, reading the soil test results and the importance of soil testing.   The Rockcastle County Extension office partners with the Rockcastle County Conservation district in an environmental grant through soil erosion and water quality cost share program to offer free soil testing for landowners in Rockcastle County.   With the risin

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