Jessamine County CES

Title:

Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture

MAP:

Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Steve Musen, Karli Giles, Cathy Weaver

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Small Farm Diversification

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture

Situation:

Due to declining world-wide demand for tobacco products, tobacco sales have fallen from a high of over 60%, to a current value of 22% of the total value of agriculture crops sold in Jessamine County. House Bill 611 and the implementation of the Governor’s Office of Ag. Policy’s (GOAP) Agriculture Development Fund and the County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) has allowed for the allocation over $3.1 million, over a 16-year period. These funds have been used to assist in the restructuring of Jessamine County Agriculture, helping to alleviate financial challenges caused by the loss of tobacco income and diversify the agriculture production base.

Much of Jessamine County contains rolling topography which is best suited to the production of livestock and forages.  With 62,414 acres in pastureland and 29,012 acres in forage production (69.3% of total cropland), Jessamine County has the potential of supporting more than the current 20,500 total head of cattle (beef and dairy) with improved pasture efficiency through more careful management and intensive grazing. Growing Forages for livestock grazing and hay production is one of Jessamine County’s most important agronomic enterprises. The Bluegrass Region, with its deep, fertile soils and gently rolling hillsides, is uniquely suited to producing some of the fastest racehorses and most productive livestock operations in the world.

Beef cattle still plays a major role, generating the majority of farm income in the county. Farmers here are also looking at alternative enterprises to generate income. Hemp has generated a tremendous amount of interest along with goats, sheep, fruit and flower production. There are also a number of small vegetable producers and several organizations working with community based gardens. Land prices still remain one of the most limiting factors for individuals wanting to get in to production agriculture. Farm land in this community goes from a low of around $4,000/acre to well over $10,000/acre. If there is a high level of development potential, land prices are near $30,000/acre.

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life

Long-Term Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will be profitable, safe and sustainable.

• Producers will utilize new technologies to diversify and ehance farming operations to respond to changing markets and consumer demands.
• Producers will use best Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize environmental impact.
• Producers will use safe handling procedures and proper use of PPEs when using pesticides.
• Producers will utilize enterprise budgets, marketing and value-added strategies to maximize profitability.
• Producers will ensure the availability of safe, nutritious, locally grown food products for local consumers.
• Producer will establish succession plans to ensure a smooth transition of the farming enterprise to the next generation.

•    Youth will be agriculturally literate.

•    Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services. 

•    Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production

Intermediate Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will begin to implement strategies to ensure that their enterprises are profitable, safe and sustainable.

• Producers will have the skills to utilize new technologies to diversify and enhance farming operations to respond to changing markets and consumer demands.
• Producers will demonstrate the skills of best Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize environmental impact.
• Producers will demonstrate the skills of safe handling procedures and proper use of PPEs when using pesticides.
• Producers will demonstrate the skills of developing enterprise budgets, marketing and value-added strategies to maximize profitability.
• Producers will be working to ensure the availability of safe, nutritious, locally grown food products for local consumers.
• Producer will be working to develop succession plans to ensure a smooth transition of the farming enterprise to the next generation.

•    Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.

•    Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations. 

Initial Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will attend various training opportunities to gain the skills and knowledge to ensure their operations are profitable, safe and sustainable.

• Producers will learn new technologies to diversify and enhance farming operations to respond to changing markets and consumer demands.
• Producers will learn best Best Management Practices (BMPs) to gain knowledge on how to minimize environmental impact.
• Producers will gain knowledge on the safe handling procedures and proper use of PPEs when using pesticides.
• Producers will gain knowledge on how to utilize enterprise budgets, marketing and value-added strategies to maximize profitability.
• Producers will gain knowledge on how to ensure the availability of safe, nutritious, locally grown food products for local consumers.
• Producer gain knowledge on how to establish succession plans to ensure a smooth transition of the farming enterprise to the next generation.

•    Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science. 

•    Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems. 

•    Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome:

• More diversification of farming enterprises, Adoption of new marketing techniques and improved production practices and continued use of these new practices.
• These changes are expected to occur over time as more producers become familiar with these opportunities.
• Success may be determined through increase agriculture revenue at the farm level and through personal observations.

Intermediate Outcome:

• The adoption of new technologies and practices that have been presented to them through extension programming.
• The adoption of techniques and technologies within a few months after being exposed to these improved management techniques in an indication of acceptance by participants.
• Evaluation may be done through followup visits or surveys to participants of educational programs

Initial Outcome:

• Attendance at various educational programs, questions and participation in the program and followup questions from participants in the office are good indicators of the need for the program and the initial impact of the program
• The impact of a program may be know immediately or within a few days of the completion of the program. Surveys and evaluations may also be used to gauge the success of a program.

Outcome to be Evaluated

• Youth plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.)

Indicator of Success for Outcome

• Youth complete an agricultural project.

Method of Evaluation

• 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
• Program Indicators
  • Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming (PRACTICE)  
  • Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)  
  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)

Learning Opportunities:

* Project or Activity: BQCA Certification Training

• Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Safe, Humane and Sustainable Cattle Handling
• Inputs: U.K. Beef Specialists and KBN resources
• Date: Fall

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Certifications Training

• Audience: Commercial Producers who use restricted-use pesticides
• Content or Curriculum: Safe and proper use of pesticides, Worker Protection Standards and PPEs
• Inputs: U.K. Specialists and KDA
• Date: Winter

Project or Activity: Ag Financial Planning and Marketing

• Audience: Commercial Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Enterprise budgets and marketing strategies
• Inputs: U.K. Specialists and resources
• Date: Winter

Project or Activity: Forage Production Training

• Audience: Beef Cattle, Small Ruminant and Equine Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Sustainable and Productive Forage Production
• Inputs: U.K. Forage Specialists
• Date: Early Fall

Project or Activity: Educational Farm Tour

• Audience: Agriculture Producers and interested members of the public
• Content or Curriculum: Overview of the various agriculture enterprises in Jessamine County
• Inputs: Jessamine County Ag. Advisory Council
• Date: Fall

Project or Activity: Winter Feeding Strategies

• Audience: Beef Cattle, Small Ruminant and Equine Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Sustainable forage production
• Inputs: U.K. Forage Specialists
• Date: Late Fall

Project or Activity: Producer Best Practice - Food Safety Training

• Audience: Commercial Horticulture and Farmers Market Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Safe food production and handling
• Inputs: U.K. Specialists
• Date: Spring

Project or Activity: Equine Forage and Facilities Expo

• Audience: Equine Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Equine technologies, equipment and forage production
• Inputs: U.K. Forage and Equine Specialists
• Date: Summer

Project or Activity: Pastures Please!

• Audience: Equine Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Equine forage production
• Inputs: U.K. Forage and Equine Specialists
• Date: Spring

Project or Activity: Kentucky Beef Conference

• Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Cattle Marketing, Nutrition and Health
• Inputs: U.K. Beef and Ag. Econ. Specialists
• Date: Fall

Project or Activity: Kentucky Stocker Conference

• Audience: Beef Stocker Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Cattle Marketing, Nutrition and Health
• Inputs: U.K. Beef and Ag. Econ. Specialists
• Date: Spring

Project or Activity: Ag Lenders Conference

• Audience: Bankers and Ag. Lenders
• Content or Curriculum: Farm Tax Laws and Ag. Econ.
• Inputs: U.K. Ag. Econ. Specialists
• Date: Winter/Spring

Project or Activity: Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

• Audience: Beef Cattle, Small Ruminant and Equine Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Forage and Hay Production and Storage
• Inputs: U.K. Forage Specialists
• Date: Spring

Project or Activity: Tobacco Production Update

• Audience: Tobacco Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Tobacco Production Update and GAP Training
• Inputs: U.K. Tobacco Specialists
• Date: Winter

Project or Activity: Hemp Production Update

• Audience: Hemp Producers
• Content or Curriculum: Hemp Production Update
• Inputs: U.K. Hemp Specialists
• Date: Spring

4-H Livestock Program

• Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book
• Training: Livestock Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services

4-H Horse Program

• Curriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4; Horse Safety Guidelines; Horse Smarts: Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit
• Training: Horse Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services

4-H Country Ham Program

• Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video
• Training: Agent In-services

4-H Horticulture Program

• Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curricula; 4-H Gardening Levels A, B, C, D, and Helper’s Guide
• Training: Agent In-services

4-H Rabbit Program

• Curriculum: 4-H Rabbit 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Rabbit Learning Lab Kit
• Training: Agent In-services

4-H Dog Program

• Curriculum: 4-H Dog 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dog Project and Record Book; Dog Resource Handbook; Dog Learning Lab Kit
• Training: Dog Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services

Success Stories