Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, AgriculturePlan of Work

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Clark County CES

Title:
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture Advancement
Agents Involved:
Madalyn Wells, Clay Stamm, Shonda Johnston, Horticulture Agent (Vacant)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:

Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for largest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. Sales of agriculture crops and livestock in Clark County exceed $34 million. There are 871 farms in Clark County with farm size averaging 164 acres. Horticulture crops, Agri-tourism, beekeeping, and custom hay production are growing farming industries in the county. With recent legislative developments industrial hemp production is emerging as a crop of importance. In addition to the educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of traditional Clark County agricultural production (corn, soybeans, livestock, and forages), leaders in the agricultural community have identified educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of industrial hemp and other new opportunistic crops.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops

Increase in revenues for farm families

Increase number of new younger farmers into the agriculture industry.

Greater diversification of farming operations..

Individuals will engage in entreprenuerial enterprises.

Individuals will gain and maintain employment thru lifeskill development.

Individuals will be advecates for agriculture, healthy and sustainable food systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Investment in the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques

Adoption of best mangement production practices

Individuals will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Individuals can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

Individuals can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.

Initial Outcomes:

Learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities.

Gained knowlege of agricultural production

Gained knowlege of the most up to date production practices

Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Individuals will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Indicator: Increased knowledge and continued practice of agriculture production.

Method: Post Survey of Program/Project

Timeline: Completion of project/program


Initial Outcome: Youth will use and apply the skills gained from Livestock programs, demonstrate and share new abilities related to livestock with others, and practice the principals of livestock production

Indicator: Continued involvement in the livestock program

Method: Post Survey of Program

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Produers will learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities

Indicator: Program Particpation/Supporting Survey Response

Method: Post Survey

Timeline: Each event


Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowlege of up to date production practices

Indicator: Program Participation/Supporting Survey Response

Method: Post Survey

Timeline: Each Event


Intermediate Outcome: Producer Investment into the the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques

Indicator: Dollars Invested

Method: NASS, CAIP Producer Reports, Agricultural Statistics

Timeline: Annually, Biannually, 10 yrs


Intermediate Outcome: Adoption of best management production practices

Indicator: Changed Production Practices

Method: Survey

Timeline: Annually


Long-term Outcome: Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops

Indicator: Agricultural Business creation/expansion, Increased farm income

Method: Census of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Survey

Timeline: Once every 10 years, Annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 5-18 yr old youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content, local tours

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders

Date: Monthly


Audience: 4-H Age Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders

Date: Monthly


Audience: 3rd Grade

Project or Activity:  4-H Chick Incubation

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, School Staff, UK poultry unit

Date: Spring


Audience: 4-H Age Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content

Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Extension Facilities

Date: January - August


Audience: 3rd Grade Students

Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Day

Content or Curriculum: Industry Speakers, Ag Literacy Education Materials, 4-H Core Content

Inputs: Extension Staff, Industry Speakers, Gilkison Farm

Date: Spring


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen/Master Marketer/Cattleman's Quarterly meetings

Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen Curriculum, Extension Publications

Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension staff, Agricultural Leaders, Community Sponsors

Date: Spring/Fall/Winter


Audience: Clark County Residents

Project or Activity: Winter School

Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Updates

Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Publications, Extension Staff, Clark Ag Advisory Council, Community Sponsors

Date: January/February 


Audience: Clark County Residents

Project or Activity: Gardening Classes

Content or Curriculum: Gardening Topics

Inputs: UK Publications, Extension Staff, Master Gardener Volunteers, Community Partners

Date: Spring/Summer 


Audience: Farmers/Farm Families

Project or Activity: Clark County Extension Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resource Demonstrations

Inputs: Producer Volunteer(s), UK Specialists, Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Extension Staff,

Date: Summer 


Audience: Farmers/Farm Families

Project or Activity: Production Update Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Ongoing agricultural issues/updates

Inputs: Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Collaborative Agricultural Groups (Clark County Cattlemen, C.C. Farm Bureau, etc.), UK Specialists, Extension Staff, other Agri-businesses and agricultural professionals

Date: As needed


Audience: Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Beekeepers Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping

Inputs: UK Specialist, KY State Apiarist, Specialists, Ag leaders

Date: Third Monday of each Month


Audience: Landowners and Outdoor Enthusiast

Project or Activity: Wildlife Program

Content or Curriculum: Wildlife Management

Inputs: ANR Extension Agent, UK Specialist, Ky Dept of Fish and Wildlife

Date: Fall/Winter



Success Stories

2022 Winter School

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

According to the 2017 Ag Census, Clark County have over 800 farms and around $34,028,000 in agricultural sales with livestock sales equaling 55% of total sales. Also Clark county has 14,576 households according to the 2019 census. With this knowledge, the Clark County Extension Office worked to hold the 2022 Winter School. The purpose of the 2022 Winter School was to hold a three day series covering beef finishing nutrition, pasture weed control, backyard bramble production, homebased producer r

Full Story

Beginner Beekeeper School

Author: Carrie Spry

Major Program: Pollinators

Clark County has seen rising interest in beekeeping among the landowner population.  Fortunately, the county has a rich history of beekeeping with a wealth of knowledge and expertise among members of the community.   The Powell and Clark County Extension offices partnered to present the Powell/Clark Beginner Beekeeping School.   The program’s target audience were new or just started their beekeeping journey.  In addition to a crash course in beekeeping, the class sought

Full Story

2022 Vegetable Garden Series

Author: Carrie Spry

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

More than 6% of Kentuckians live with limited access to a supermarket or grocery store. Combine that fact with the ever increasing cost of groceries, and more people are not only wanting to grow their own food, but some need to out of necessity. The Clark County Extension Agent for Horticulture held a 2 part class on Vegetable Gardening for Beginners to better enable and equip the counties citizens in how to grow their own food. In a survey of the attendees performed afterwards, 100% of responde

Full Story

Senior Gardening

Author: Carrie Spry

Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy

In February of 2021, a former Clark County Homemaker reached out to the Extension office wanting help with container vegetable gardening. This particular resident had recently moved into a senior living facility and was looking for ways to engage and interact with the other residents. She had grown a vegetable garden her entire life and new the bonding that could happen with neighbors when produce was shared. She had hopes that growing vegetables at this facility would help bring the residents t

Full Story
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