Fixating the Focus on the Local Food SupplyPlan of Work

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Grant County CES

Title:
Fixating the Focus on the Local Food Supply
MAP:
Elevating Local Food Systems
Agents Involved:
FCS, 4H agent, Ammerman
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:

Recent community needs assessment coupled with the global pandemic have shifted consumers focus from large chain grocery stores toward locally sourced items to fulfill their need for food staples.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Consumer demand for locally grown and processed foods continues to climb.  Farmers recognize and respond to consumer demand and retaliate by matching with supply.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmer's look toward alternative methods of production and sales of off farm products.  Farm respond quicker to consumer demands.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers acquire knowledge to understand new and emerging markets.  Farmer's also adjust production and marketing practices to reach new consumer populous. 

Evaluation:

Increase in farm gate revenues, More consumers purchase locally raised foods. 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cattle Owners

Project or Activity: Building Better Beef

Content or Curriculum: UK Beef IRM

Inputs: Agent and UK website

Date: monthly throughout the year


Audience: Beef Farmers

Project of Activity: Master Cattlemen

Content or Curriculum: UK Beef IRM and UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Fall 2021


Audience: Goat Producers

Project of Activity: Meat Goat Updates

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications, KSU specialists

Date: March 2022


Audience: Sheep and Goat Farmers

Project of Activity: Small Ruminant Workshop

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications KSU specialists

Date: March 2022


Audience: 4H Livestock Youth

Project of Activity: 4H Youth Livestock Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Getting your Goat, Stepping Out, Showing the Way

Inputs: Dairy Goat Club members and leader

Date: All year Long


Audience: Forage Farmers

Project or Activity: Controlling Weeds in Pastures and Hayfields

Content or Curriculum: UK Agronomy

Inputs: Agent and UK website

Date: March 2022


Audience: Forage Farmers

Project or Activity: Pasture Renovation

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Feb 2022


Audience: County Ag Investment Program Farmers

Project of Activity: Hay Storage to increase profits

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Fall 2021


Audience: Dairy and Beef Farmers

Project of Activity: Silage Production Update

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications,

Date: March 2022


Audience: Grain Farmers

Project of Activity: Early Bird Grain Meeting

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Jan 2022


Audience: Vegetable Farmers

Project of Activity: Extending the Growing Season

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Feb - March 2022


Audience: Vegetable Farmers

Project of Activity: Producers Best Practices Training

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date:  Feb 2022


Audience: Farmer’s Markets

Project of Activity: SNAP-Ed, WIC and Senior Coupons

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: winter 2022 throughout the growing season


Audience: Farmer’s Markets SNAP-Ed

Project of Activity: Sampling

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: ongoing throughout the year


Audience: 6,7, & 8 Graders

Project of Activity: GCMS Garden

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agent and volunteers

Date: March –Sept 2022


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project of Activity: 4-H Horticulture Club

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agents and volunteers

Date: March – Oct 2022



Success Stories

Establishing Consumer Confidence

Author: Chris Ammerman

Major Program: Beef

In recent years traditional livestock husbandry has come under attack by the media and special interest groups.  A few bad actors have further perpetuated a negative mindset of modern livestock practices in the minds of consumers.  Maintain a positive image of cattle farms and farm families in the mind of consumers is paramount for farmers to continue to realize all time market highs.Extension specialists and agents from the University of Kentucky collaborated with farmer leaders from

Full Story

Investments in Agriculture replace lost tobacco income

Author: Chris Ammerman

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The scope of agriculture in Grant County has evolved over the past 20 years.  Burley tobacco production no longer remains the economic driver for farm revenue.  Farmers looked to supplement the loss of tobacco income with more and additional sources for farm revenue.  The Grant County Agriculture Development Council has been proactive in utilizing funds from the Master Settlement Agreement to assist farmers.  These efforts allow farmers to merge their businesses with the late

Full Story
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