Market, Technology, Horticulture, Livestock, Wildlife, Management Development Plan of Work

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Owen County CES

Title:
Market, Technology, Horticulture, Livestock, Wildlife, Management Development
MAP:
Sustainable Production and Marketing of Agriculture Products
Agents Involved:
FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Situation:

Located in the center of the "Golden Triangle," Owen County is within an hour's drive of the major urban markets of Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington. Owen County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the emerging direct marketing, locally sourced food movement. A growing number of vegetable, fruit, berry and cut-flower producers are marketing their products in farmers markets in these urban centers. New technologies are being tested and demonstrated to increase production, improve quality and bring produce to market earlier.

Long-Term Outcomes:

* Successful home and commercial projects will serve as models and teaching tools for others

* Increased home horticulture production will result in family food dollars saved and healthier meals

* Commercial producers will have increased profitability due to improved production and marketing

* Increase home horticulture in and around the home for families

Intermediate Outcomes:

* Participants will begin implements new technologies to increase or enhance harvest

* Participants will begin exploring new marketing outlets

* Participants will begin making changes in practices around the home 

Initial Outcomes:

* Participants will be exposed to a variety of productions methods such as raised beds, plastic mulching, high tunnels, drip irrigation, greenhouses and hydroponics

* Participants will explore various marketing options such as roadside marketing, farmers markets, marketing to wholesalers and internet marketing.

* Participants will explore ways to change their home surrounding

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of improved production technologies and marketing opportunities

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations related to home and commercial horticulture

Method: pre/post-tests, phone conversations

Timeline: April-May  (2020-2024)


Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of new technologies and participation in new marketing opportunities

Indicator: Number of producers utilizing new technologies and marketing opportunities introduced by Extension

Method: Phone calls, Home and farm visits, questionnaires

Timeline: June, (2020-2024)


Long-term Outcome: New horticulture production systems which are profitable serve as teaching tools for others

Indicator: Number of homeowners and producers self-reporting an increase in profits as a result of adopting one or more practices recommended by Extension

Method: Surveys, home, and farm visits

Timeline: Ongoing (2020-2024)

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Current and potential home gardeners

Project or Activity: Home Gardening Class

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: UK Consumer Horticulture Specialist, video presentation,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: March 2020-2024


Audience: Current and potential commercial horticulture producers

Project or Activity: Commercial Greenhouse Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: UK Horticulture Specialists, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: May 2020-2024


Audience: Commercial Horticulture producers

Project or Activity: Sharing new marketing opportunities with producers

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: Newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: Ongoing 2020-2024


Audience:  Home Owners, Woodlot Owners, and Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Beginning and Intermediate Beekeeping Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Research-based information, U.K. publications

Inputs: KDA and State Beekeeping Association Representatives, Newsletters, Direct Mailing, Newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: September 2020-2024


Audience: Landowners with woodlots

Project or Activity: Marketing Forest Products Webinar

Content or Curriculum: Research-based webinar presentations

Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: October 2020-2024


Audience: Landowners with woodlots

Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushroom Production Training

Content or Curriculum: Research-based video presentations

Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: November 2020-2024


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Home Horticulture 

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: Northern KY Horticulture Extension Agents,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: February 2020-2024



Success Stories

The Fence Post

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

The Fence Post

Owen County Kentucky has 157,396 acres of reported farmland. That requires a lot of fences to be installed, maintained, and repaired around the county. Fences may be used to protect or divide property, to improve its appearance, to confine animals, or to exclude animals. Fencing is one of the best long-term investments you’ll make on your farm. A good fence should last anywhere from 25 to 50 years.It would be a safe to say, there has been a generation removed from the farm. A lot of beginn

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Artificial Insemination School

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Beef

Artificial Insemination School

Having the largest number of cattle east of the Mississippi; Kentucky is known for producing good, quality, beef cattle. As with anything else, there is always room for improvement. Genetics are the foundational step for achieving this. The best method in achieving superior genetics is utilizing artificial insemination (AI) in your herd. Artificial insemination allows the producer to identify and use individual sires from around the world to enhance the inadequate desires found in the dam and he

Full Story

Building the bridge with underserved religious populations in rural communities

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health - ANR

Building the bridge with underserved religious populations in rural communities

Owen County Ag Agent Kendal Bowman set out on a mission to increase the diversity and inclusion within his programs by “Building the bridge with underserved religious populations in rural communities- Amish & Mennonite population”. Bowman worked with a local dairy farmer that identifies with the Mennonite faith. They developed a plan to offer a farm tour of their local dairy operation. Bowman partnered with Eastern Kentucky University Agriculture Department to bring their dairy s

Full Story

NKY Cow Calf School Attracts All Levels of Cattle Producers

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Beef

NKY Cow Calf School Attracts All Levels of Cattle Producers

NKY Cow Calf School Attracts All Levels of Cattle Producers According to the USDA nearly 1 in 4 farmers are new to farming. Recently, the Extension service has noticed there are a significant number of individuals relocating into northern Kentucky that have an interest in sustainable homesteading.  Since the topography of northern Kentucky is well suited to produce forage & livestock, many of these individuals seek to add cattle production for their own use.The northern Kentucky Ag

Full Story
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