CropsPlan of Work

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Metcalfe County CES

Title:
Crops
MAP:
Ag Awareness, Production and Marketing
Agents Involved:
Bell, Blankenship, Branstetter
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Tobacco
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
Situation:

Although tobacco production had declined in recent years, it is still a major source of income for many farm families. With its decline, many producers have increased forage production.  It is marketed through local sales and the Tri County Hay and Straw Auction.   Many forage producers utilize their products to feed their own livestock herds as well.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Tobacco and Forage producers will be able to sustain their operations because of increased profitability. This profitability is a result of increased yields, decreased input costs and successful marketing.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Tobacco and Forage producers will implement practices that will allow them to increase yields, manage input costs and market their product in a manner that will allow them to remain profitable.

Initial Outcomes:

Tobacco and Forage producers will increase their knowledge about production, cost management and marketing that will allow them to implement changes that will lead to long term profitability.

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Initial

Indicator:  Knowledge Gained

Method:  Survey

Timeline: Winter/Spring   


Outcome: Intermediate 

Indicator: Practices Changed

Method:  Survey

Timeline: Spring Summer


Outcome:  Long Term

Indicator:  Sales and Profitability

Method:  Survey

Timeline:  Winter

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Tobacco Producers


Project or Activity:  Tobacco Gap Trainings 

Content or Curriculum: UK, GAP Connections

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, GAP Connections

Date: Winter/Spring


Audience: Livestock and Forage Producers


Project or Activity:  Tri County Hay and Straw Auction

Content or Curriculum: UK Pubs, KDA Hay Testing

Inputs: ANR and 4-H Agents, KDA Employees, Volunteers

Date: January




Success Stories

Tobacco GAP

Author: Gary Bell

Major Program: Tobacco

The Mammoth Cave Area has historically been at the top in tobacco production in KY.  Agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe and Monroe Counties cooperated to host a regional Tobacco GAP Training.  Tobacco GAP trainings are mandatory yearly trainings required by the major tobacco purchasing companies.  Extension is charged with hosting and facilitating these very important trainings.  Growers who do not receive the annual training run the risk of not being able to market th

Full Story

Tri County Hay and Straw Auction

Author: Gary Bell

Major Program: Forages

Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2021 Tri-County Hay & Straw Auction.  The auction returned in 2022, and to the delight of all those involved, the event picked right up where it had left off.  Buyers and sellers alike were glad to see the event bring together forage producers with forage buyers.     Even in early 2022, producers began to see that the cost of production in the upcoming growing season was going to be significantly higher than 2021.  Cost savvy l

Full Story
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