Extension
It Starts With Us
Farm Profitablity
Agriculture & Environment
Paul Sizemore
Beef
Forages
Horticulture, Commercial
Owsley County is a small agrarian county located in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Over the last decade tobacco production has decreased more than 90% therefore leaving only about 300,000 pounds county wide. Many producers have diversified their operations by implementing other practices or commodities such as an increased number of livestock and increased acreage for vegetable production for home and commercial Horticulture. Other crops grown in Owsley County include cabbage, pepper, strawberries, corn, brambles, forages and various fruit trees. Animals produced in Owsley County include beef cattle, horses, goats and some small scale swine and poultry operations. Agriculture still remains one of the top ten industries in Owsley County. The Owsley County Extension Council and Agriculture and Natural Resources Council have directed us to address the above issues in terms of diversification into small and large scale production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults. Mainly directed to those individuals involved or with an interest in livestock, crops, fruit and vegetable production both commercially or family based.
Agricultural producers will manage their operations in a more profitable manner as well as increase the quality of the products they are producing.
*An increase in necessary management skills being used.
*An increased understanding of pesticide usage.
*An increase in the diversity of agriculture operations will occur.
*Understanding the importance of diversity in small enterprises.
*Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.
*Knowledge of new and improved management skills for increased profitability.
*Understanding the direct market approach.
Initial Outcome: Number of participants that diversify their agricultural operations
Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.
Method: Observations and surveys
Timeline: Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Intermediate Outcome: Number of participants that utilize new management skills.
Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.
Method: Observations and surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and time for implementation 2021-2022.
Long-term Outcome: Number of participants that increase their farm profitability.
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes.
Method: Observations and surveys
Timeline: Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers.
Project or Activity: Producers Meetings.
Content or Curriculum: Feeding, Reproduction, Forages, Health, Record Keeping and General Management.
Inputs :Agent and Guests Speakers.
Date: Spring and Fall Meetings.
Audience: Interested Consumers
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Curing a Country Ham.
Inputs: Agent Led Program.
Date: Winter 2022
Audience: Farmers/Producers
Project or Activity: Educational Programs for The Agriculture Development Program.
Content or Curriculum: Hay Storage, Equipment Storage, Beef Quality Assurance
Inputs: Agent Led
Date: Throughout the year 2021-2022
Audience: Farmers and Producers
Project or Activity: Agriculture Production Programs.
Content or Curriculum: Various Agriculture and Economic Related Issues and Sustainable Agriculture.
Inputs: Agent and Specialist.
Date: Throughout the year 2021-2022 as Needed.
Audience: Farmers, Producers and Landowners.
Project or Activity: Conservation Programs.
Content or Curriculum: Soil Sampling, Cost Share Programs and Related Issues.
Inputs: Agent and Guest Speakers.
Date: Spring and Fall 2021-2022.
Audience: Farmers, Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Registration, Training for Market Programs FARMACY, Senior Vouchers and Wic. Marketing and Marketing Techniques.
Inputs: Agent, Specialist and Guest Speakers
Date: Summer 2021
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
Farm diversification has become a must to compete in the ever changing market place of agriculture. Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service conducted multiple workshops to help farmers diversify their operations and find resources to assist in developing infrastructure at their operations. Owsley County Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Kentucky State Small Farm Program worked with farmers to obtain High Tunnels and other Projects that would help them to Diver
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Beef
Much of the Hay produced in the area is stored outside resulting in a great deal of waste, low nutrient levels and low digestibility. This can lead to many issues in the herd when the winter weather comes barreling in. To address the need for improved forage quality and to increase farmer understanding of the economics of hay production, many producers asked for more information on feeding systems. A workshop was held in Owsley County with Dr. Steve Higgins speaking on Fence Line Feeding systems
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Growing fruit trees and producing fruit at home has not only been a hobby of many locals in this region for many years but is also provides healthy and nutritious food in the long run. Fruit trees bought can range in price from $30 to $50 each plus shipping and handling charges. Growers can graft fruit trees onto roots that are better adapted to this area for as little as $1 to $2 per tree. The Owsley County Extension Office has provided fruit tree grafting workshops for years. In 2022, 55 parti
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
Tobacco was the primary income for farmers in this area for many years and since the buyout from the Tobacco Companies in 2001 it has been a struggle for farmers to replace it. Farmers quickly realized that they had to start producing something else to sustain their operations and for many the answer was Vegetable Production. It was obvious that the farmers had a good grasp on production but the problem seem to be in Marketing because that was something they had not had to do in Tobacco Producti
