Production AgriculturePlan of Work

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Caldwell County CES

Title:
Production Agriculture
MAP:
Advancing Sustainable Crop Production Systems Big and Small
Agents Involved:
Shane Bogle, Rhonda Jewell, Ashley Board
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Tobacco
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

Change is a constant in everything but it especially rings true for production agriculture. The last couple of years have seen a grain production profits reduced.  As commodity prices have lowered sharply in the last few years even producers that were prepared and have felt the crunch. Lease rates are still slow to follow this downward trend as landowners have grown accustomed to being paid more for their ground. Specialty crops such as hemp and hort crops are a more common sight. Many tobacco producers that have transitioned away from tobacco are still looking for ways to replace that income. A flurry of high tunnel greenhouses have started in Caldwell County helping with this and participation in the Caldwell On-line and traditional farmers market. Phase I and USDA state cost shares have helped this along.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Producers will improve quality of life by increasing revenue in production agriculture.

*Producers will implement environmentally safe practices for pesticide and fertilizer applications.

*Producers will utilize rinse and return programs to improve the environment.

*Producers will gain a better understanding of grain marketing and futures contracts.

*Producers will explore new crop opportunities.

*Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.

*Build a new permanent farmers market.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Producers will implement policy changes learned at educational meetings.

*Producers will understand the opportunity to produce alternate crops.

*Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources.

*Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.

Initial Outcomes:

*Producers will utilize up-to-date decision making information concerning the field of production agriculture

*Producers will utilize the tools to make important production decisions concerning economics and safe agronomic practices and adoption of new crop enterprises.

*Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

*Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producers will utilize up-to-date decision making information concerning the field of production agriculture.

Indicator: number of producers reporting using up-to-date decision making information

Method: observation, farm visits, success stories

Timeline: ongoing


Intermediate Outcome: Producers will implement policy changes learned at educational meetings

Indicator: number of policy changes implemented by producers

Method: observation, farm visits, success stories

Timeline: ongoing


Long-term Outcome: Producers will improve quality of life by increasing revenue in production agriculture

Indicator: number of producers reporting increased revenue

Method: observation, farm visits, success stories

Timeline: ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Producers

Project or Activity: Rinse and Return Program

Content or Curriculum: KDA

Inputs: KDA, Extension

Date: 2022-2023


Audience: Producers, General Public

Project or Activity:Pesticide Applicator Training

Content or Curriculum: PAT-1

Inputs: Agent

Date: Fall, Winter


Audience: Producers, Lenders

Project or Activity: County grain meeting

Content or Curriculum: UK specialists

Inputs: Agent, specialist

Date: Winter each year


Audience: Producers, Lenders ect.

Project or Activity: Tobacco production update

Content or Curriculum: UK/UT Specialist

Inputs: Agent specialists

Date: Winter each year


Audience: Farmers Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Production meeting/PBPT training

Content or Curriculum: UK/KDA / Public Health

Inputs: Agent, KDA, UK, Public Health

Date: Spring each year


Audience: Students in Caldwell County Schools

Project or Activity: Trash Sculpture

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: Youth, Agent, CCS Natural Resources Curriculum

Date: November 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Farm, Food, and Fitness

Content or Curriculum: My Plate

Inputs:County Extension  Agents

Date: Summer 2023


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Jr. Sr. Forestry Field Day

Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Forestry Dept.

Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, KY Division of Forestry, Land Bewteen the Lakes

Date: Fall 2022  and Spring 2023


Audience: Caldwell County Elementary 3rd grade students

Project or Activity:Food For America

Content or Curriculum: Caldwell County FFA, local farmers, Ag related businesses

Inputs: Agents, community, farmers,

Date: Fall 2022


Audience: Caldwell County Teens

Project or Activity: State Forestry Contest

Content or Curriculum: National Forestry Contest 

Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, Bernheim National Forest

Date: April 2023





Success Stories

Private Applicators See Change

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Chemical Management

2023 saw the first major changes in private pesticide applicator regulation and education in over 20 years.  Extension remains the main resource for pesticide use education and certification in Kentucky.  When Changes were announced by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in the fall of 2022, the agent in Caldwell County worked to incorporate the changes into Private Pesticide Applicator Trainings for 2023.  Through the winter months 7 trainings were offered at different times a

Full Story

Pastures Please

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Equine

Horses are natural grazers and the availability of high quality forage can provide almost year round nutrition of most horses in Kentucky if managed correctly.  Equine producers in Western Kentucky experienced an extended drought in 2022 that left pastures in a sad state of repair.  Agents in the Pennyrile and Purchase collaborated to host the popular Eastern Kentucky, "Pastures Please" program.  This popular program has been offered to equine operations to better equip

Full Story

Home Horticulture Services: Call Your County Extension Agent

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Homeowners have limited access to unbiased information when problems with landscapes, lawns, and gardens arise.  Many turn to the internet or local box store businesses that are inclined to sell unnecessary products along with the “free” advice. Needless and often excess chemicals are applied to perceived issues without thought of environmental or legal concerns.  The Caldwell County Extension Office offers free research-based education, and diagnostic services to help home

Full Story
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