McCracken County Commercial Agricultural Enterprises
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education
Anderson
Grains
Horticulture, Commercial
Hemp
Plant Disease ID
Situation 1: Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future.
Situation 2: Consumers and Producers lack accurate knowledge in status of their soil nutrients and pH.
Situation 3: Producers need information or production of forages.
Situation 4: Producers need information on production of hemp.
- Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
- Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
- Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
- Significant percentage of consumers and producers implementing IPM practices
- Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
- Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
- Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
- Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
- Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
- Implementation of on-farm trials
- Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
- Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
- Increase understanding of production regulations
- Understanding BioTech traits
- Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials
- Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production
- Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
- Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
- Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
- Knowledge of UK Soil Test program
Initial Outcome: Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
Indicator: Number of producers reporting an understanding of IPM practices increase.
Method: survey, formative assessment
Timeline: ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
Indicator: Producers report using at least one new use of technology in their operation.
Method: survey, formative assessment
Timeline: ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
Indicator: Number of producers report an increase in profit margin
Method: survey, formative assessment
Timeline: ongoing
Audience: Home owners, farmers, Paducah/McCracken County Schools (non-commercial)
Project or Activity: “Cheaper than Dirt” program and soil test program, including soil testing coupons
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Demonstrations, Soil Analysis reports
Inputs: Agents, UK/KSU Specialists, Soil sampling coupons, soil sample analysis, UK/KSU publications, UK/KSU Specialists,UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals (agents, specialists, Publications Research Information, Diagnostic Centers, UK Weather Center Commodity Associations, (ex: Soybean Board, Corn Growers, Small Grain Growers),State and Federal Agencies(ex: KDA, NRCS, EPA), Ag Advisory Councils, Farmers/Producers
Date: Ongoing
Audience: residents
Project or Activity: Commodity Breakfast
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers, agents
Date: fall
Audience: Producers and landlords
Project or Activity: Lease Agreement program
Content or Curriculum: publications, lease agreements
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers, agents
Date: ongoing
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
During the Small Diversified Farm Series, participants indicated a desire to tour a successful diversified farming operation. The host agents made this a reality. Agents form Marshall, Livingston, Calloway, Crittenden, McCracken, Trigg and Caldwell counties collaborated to host the first ever "Small Diversified Farm Field Day."The field day was hosted by Trimble Farms in Caldwell County. The Trimble's Farm operation is very diverse. The family has experience selling fruits, vegetab