Crops & Livestock Management & Marketing; Horticulture & Forestry Production, Economics & MarketingPlan of Work

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Ohio County CES

Title:
Crops & Livestock Management & Marketing; Horticulture & Forestry Production, Economics & Marketing
MAP:
Agricultural Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Greg Comer, ANR Agent; Gary Druin, 4-H Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beef
Situation:

Ohio County is one of the largest counties in Kentucky, encompassing nearly 381,000 acres. It is also ranked (in top 10%) as one of the largest farm cash receipts generating counties, with over $98 million in farm receipts, according to 2012 NASS statistics. It still has great potential for expansion, with over 100,000 acres of underutilized forages, 50,000 acres of Class II and III land still unimproved and 180,000 acres of undermanaged timber. However, expansion must be accomplished in a sustainable method using improved grazing management, better forestry management techniques, enhanced marketing skills, diversification of enterprises and other sustainable systematic approaches. There is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from, today's society lacks an understanding regarding agricultural production and processing. It is important that extension communicates the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life.  One of the key initiatives of Extension and 4-H is to increase the public's awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Landowners/producers will adopt integrated production and management systems which are financially and environmentally sustainable.

•Woodland owners will adopt management systems which improve timber/wildlife productivity, while being ecologically sustainable.

•Farmer’s Market vendors will provide safe, nutritious, high quality produce for local consumers.

•Livestock producers will implement livestock marketing avenues which optimize profitability of their operation.

•Youth will use sound animal husbandry practices in maintaining their livestock projects.

*Youth and adults will be agriculturally literate and be able to make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.

* Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Landowners/producers will follow research based recommendations which protect the environment, while optimizing production.

•Producers will analyze market situations and utilize marketing approaches which optimize pricing opportunities.

•Livestock producers will improve handling facilities and animal handing skills to facilitate improved safety for livestock and handlers.

•Landowners/producers will utilize soil/forage testing, diagnostic services, IPM principles and best management practices which make their operations more sustainable.

•Forest landowners will seek professional assistance when marketing timber and use BMP’s which protect natural resources.

•Youth will care for livestock using proper animal husbandry practices.

•Livestock producers will improve forage utilization management, reduce winter feed needs, and adopt technologies/BMP’s which optimize resources.

•Grain producers will adopt use of new technologies for crop production, which improve efficiency.

* Youth will explaing the role of agriculture in their daily life and will utilize and practice life skills in 4-H agricultural projects, clubs and life situations. 

Initial Outcomes:

•Producers will improve awareness of land-grant research in grain crop production, grazing management, and forage/grain variety trials.

•Producers will expand adoption of new technologies which improve efficiency, safety, and profitability of enterprises.

•Woodland owners will understand timber marketing options and utilize professional assistance for marketing and timber stand improvement.

•Livestock producers will improve utilization of forages, forage harvest management, and feeding management to reduce losses.

•Youth will use learn proper livestock management thru livestock projects

•Producers will utilize information from Extension, KDA and USDA to analyze market opportunities

•Increase in sales and vendors at Farmer’s Market

* Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.

*Youth and adults will gain and understanding of sustainable agriculture systems. 

*Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, critical thinking, communication, record keeping, wise use of resources, and leader ship. 

Evaluation:

Evaluation:

Outcome: Landowners/producers utilize testing & diagnostic services, IPM principles and BMP to improve sustainability of agricultural enterprises

Indicator: Number of soil & diagnostic requests. Producers use of IPM & BMP’s

Method: Soil & diagnostics requests. Survey of producers on use of IPM & BMP’s

Timeline: Spring & Summer 2022


Evaluation:

Outcome: Increase in use of Farmer’s Market

Indicator: Vendor sales at Farmer’s Market

Method: Survey of receipts at Farmer’s Market

Timeline: Fall 2021 & Summer 2022


Evaluation:

Outcome:  Increase in Youth Agricultural Projects and agricultural knowledge.

Indicator:  Number of youth developing agricultural projects and strengthening partnerships with Cooperative Extension, 4-H and FFA programs.

Method:  Survey of Youth Agriculture Incentives Program, 4-H Livestock Projects, 4-H Horticulture projects

Time Line:  August 2021-July 2022


Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Ohio County Youth

Project or Activity:  Youth Agricultural Incentives Program

Content or Curriculum:  Kentucky Department of Agriculture Program, 4-H Livestock/Horse curriculum and Extension Publications

Inputs: KDA, Ohio County 4-H, Ohio County FFA, YAIP Committee

Date:  Summer – Fall 2021


Audience: Pesticide users

Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator training

Content or Curriculum: Pesticide safety training curriculum

Inputs: ANR agent

Date: Jan-March 2022


Audience: Landowners/producers

Project or Activity: Ag Development Cost-Share Educational Program

Content or Curriculum: Enterprise management & economics

Inputs: Agent & specialist

Date: March -September 2022


Audience: Beef/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Beef/Forage Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Livestock management, herd health, forage utilization, weed control, etc.

Inputs: Agent, specialist, industry reps, NRCS, O.C. Cattlemen’s Assoc., farm suppliers

Date: Year-round 2021-22


Audience: Landowners & producers

Project or Activity: Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: field trials to demonstrate recommended practices and research

Inputs: agents, producers

Date: Year round 2021-22


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock/Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: Livestock/horse project resources, skill-a-thon/judging, show ring

Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Volunteer Leaders

Date: Year-round


Audience: Vegetable/fruit producers

Project or Activity: Good Agricultural Practices

Content or Curriculum: GAP curriculum

Inputs: Agent

Date: Winter/spring 2021-2022


Audience: Home Gardeners

Project or Activity: Raising Your Own Vegetables

Content or Curriculum: U.K. pubs & recommendations

Inputs: Agent, specialist

Date: Winter 2021-2022


Audience: Beef producers

Project or Activity: BQCA Beef Quality Cattle Handling Assurance Certification

Content or Curriculum: KY BQA Certification curriculum

Inputs: Agent, BQA Manual, Videos

Date: Multiple times thru year 2021-22


Audience: 4th Grade Students in Ohio Co. Schools

Project or Activity: Youth Ag Days

Content or Curriculum: KY Agriculture

Inputs: Agents, program assistants, specialist, Ag leaders, Ohio Co. Schools

Date: September 2021


Audience: Woodland owners

Project or Activity: Forestry Webinar & Woodland Owners Programs

Content or Curriculum: Current woodland management topics

Inputs: Extension specialist, agent, industry experts

Date: Fall/winter 2021-2022


Audience: Master Loggers

Project or Activity: Master Logger Programs & Web TV

Content or Curriculum: Current woodland management topics

Inputs: Extension specialist, agent, industry experts

Date: Year round 2021 & 2022


Audience: 6th Grade students

Project or Activity: Ag Camp

Content or Curriculum: Products from agriculture, careers

Inputs: Agents, NRCS, specialist, industry

Date: April-May 2022


Audience: Grain producers

Project or Activity: Grain Management/Marketing

Content or Curriculum: Grain production, marketing, new technologies, pest control & resistance

Inputs: Specialist, agent, industry personnel, NRCS, FSA, farm suppliers

Date: Winter 2021-2022


Audience: Beef producers

Project or Activity: Beef Management Mtg

Content or Curriculum: Beef management & marketing

Inputs: Area agents, industry personnel, specialist

Date: Winter 2021/22


Audience: Forage producers

Project or Activity: Pasture Walk

Content or Curriculum: Weed ID, Weed Control, Pasture/Hayfield management

Inputs: Agent & Specialist

Date: Spring 2022


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: DNA/Genomics Testing 

Content or Curriculum: DNA Testing Lab

Inputs: Agents

Date: Spring 2022



Success Stories

Improved Cattle Genetics thru DNA Testing

Author: Gregory Comer

Major Program: Beef

         In 2020, Patton Farms participated in a genomic testing program offered by the Ohio, Hancock & Grayson Co. Extension ANR Agents. The goal for this project was to help producers adopt a new tool to utilize when selecting traits using maternal parentage for their commercial herds. In 2020, Patton Farms enrolled 70 replacement heifers from their 700 head cow herd.         Agents collected Tissue Sampling Units (TSUs) and recorded data c

Full Story

Improved Beef Management

Author: Gregory Comer

Major Program: Beef

     The “2016 National Beef Quality Assurance Audit” showed that food safety and how/where cattle are raised are two of the top five concerns of beef consumers. By committing to the “Kentucky Beef Quality Care & Assurance (BQCA)” Program, Ohio County beef producers are implementing the national BQA practices , as well as, adding cattle handling and care components to their beef management skills.      In the last three years, over 8

Full Story

Ag Development Funds Improves Operation Efficiency

Author: Gregory Comer

Major Program: Beef

         Over the last 5 years, over $500,000 have been invested in agricultural improvement /diversification projects in Ohio Co., thru the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP). These funds are balanced by producer investments in these projects, in the amount of about $2.5 million.          The top five areas of improvement by producers are: Cattle handling facilities, water distribution improvement, expansion/improvement of fences

Full Story
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