Planning for the Family and FarmPlan of Work

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Muhlenberg County CES

Title:
Planning for the Family and Farm
MAP:
Improving Production and Management
Agents Involved:
Darrell Simpson
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Situation:

All agricultural commodities are facing an uncertain future in terms of obtaining and sustaining a profit margin. Based on survey results from Kentucky Extension Community Assessment conducted in Muhlenberg County, 20.19% of of the respondents said that sustainability of family farms was a priority.  Lack of profitability could result in unintended consequences on a personal and professional level. Commodity Councils and County Extension Council members provided suggested programming input so as to try and reduce or alleviate potential hardships or economic catastrophes.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Clientele will assess business decisions and gain management and production skills that will help sustain their farm businesses.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Clientele participate in educational programs and utilize information gained.

Initial Outcomes:

Agricultural producers will start a dialogue within their business regarding enhanced production and management practices.


Agricultural producers will adopt production practices.

Evaluation:

One to One visits, phone and or written surveys will be used following educational programs. This will be used throughout the four year plan of work.


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits

Timeline: Annually- 2021-2022



Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Improved planning for production and management will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits and post program surveys will be utilized.

Timeline: After programs and on an annual basis.


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits

Timeline: Annually 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Agricultural Producers

Project or activity: Monthly beef, forage and vegetable production meetings, field trips, and or demonstrations.

Content or curriculum: Educational programs UK specialist and local ANR agent

Inputs: Agent, specialist, and volunteer time, office space

Date: Monthly on an annual basis 


Audience: Agriculture producers and their family members

Project or Activity:  Financial Awareness

Content or Curriculum: CAFE budgets and Farm Analysis reports

Inputs: Specialists, Farm analysis specialists and ANR agents, volunteer time, Program Support funds

Date: Program year 2021-2022




Success Stories

Farmers Market Grows

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Economic Development

The Muhlenberg County Farmers Market Pavilion and Honey Kitchen had its grand opening in 2014. The Kentucky Agriculture Development Board provided some of the funding thus required an annual receipts report for five years. Although that report is no longer required, this agent has continued to utilize a vendor survey to collect that information. Nine vendors responded to the 2021 survey as compared to five responses in 2020.The 2020 combined annual receipts totaled $41,104.19 as compared to the

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