Garrard County CES

Title:

Improving Agricultural Income

MAP:

Agriculture Production, Diversity, and Marketing

Agents Involved:

Hettmansperger, Comley, FCS

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Tobacco

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Beekeeping

Situation:

Garrard County farmers have experienced a large decline in their dependence upon tobacco as their main income source. Farmers have increased their beef cow herds to try and make up the short fall. Cattle prices continue to fluctuate, narrowing profit margins and farmers need to become more efficient in forage and feed production. They will explore non-traditional ways of farming to remain profitable. Interest in hemp production has decreased greatly. Through surveys and conversations with farmers,they have put an importance on new forage and beef production methods. Youth livestock programs can teach young farmers best management practices and give them the chance to continue the family farm.

Being healthy has generated interest in Beekeeping and honey production. Local beekeepers have seen an increase in honey sales. The ANR agent has set up two beehives at the office for educational programming.

Gardening has become very popular because consumers want to know where their food comes from and feel safe eating it.  FCS and ANR agents will team up to present some programs on gardening and food preservation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers will become more efficient and profitable through adopting new methods learned from Extension programs. More youth will return to the family farm.

We will see more beekeepers in the county and form a county wide group.

More consumers will can and freeze garden products.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers will become better forage producers and will look at alternatives to traditional ways of feeding their livestock. They will become better marketers by utilizing CPH-45 calf sales and other forms of value added marketing. Grain producers will chose yield increasing hybrids from test plots. Farmers will become efficient at growing hemp. Youth will choose careers in agriculture.

More people will put in hives and increase the bee numbers.

The Extension office will see an increase in interest in gardening and food preservation.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers will use new and improved varieties of forages to increase production. Beef producers will adopt new practices such as rotational grazing and controlled calving seasons to increase production. Farmers will utilize new marketing strategies for their calves through CPH-45 and direct marketing. Farmers will gain knowledge on hemp production.

Youth will increase their knowledge of new farming practices and choose careers in Agriculture.

More people will start their own beehives and become more familiar with beekeeping.

Consumers will increase their knowledge of gardening and preservation practices.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Farmer adoption of new practices

Indicator: Personal contacts and surveys. Youth choosing Ag careers.

Method: Farm visits and observations. Monitor participation in educational meetings and special Extension programs.

Timeline: Throughout the year and do surveys during winter farmer meetings

Outcome: More beekeepers in the community.

Indicator: Number of people attending classes.

Method: Observations and surveys. Local Hardware store beekeeping equipment sales.

Timeline: Throughout the year.

Outcome: Consumers increase knowledge of gardening and preservation.

Indicator: Increase in seed and plant sales at the local hardware store.

Method: Hardware store owner sharing sale results.

Timeline: Spring and summer.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Garrard County Farmers and other interested parties. 

Project or Activity: Phase – 1 Educational programs 

Content or Curriculum: Programs and videos to cover cost share programs (hay storage, forages, etc.)

Inputs: UK specialist and ANR agents. Prerecorded videos

Dates: Year around

Audience: Local cattle producers

Project or Activity: BQA, CPH-45, Forage production, Beef nutrition and health.

Content or Curriculum: UK research data, BQA training video, CPH-45 calf sales, Winter producer meetings.

Inputs: UK specialist, ANR agents, Videos and field days

Dates: Fall and winter

Audience: Local Beekeepers and interested parties

Project or Activity: Beekeeping programs and Honey production

Content or Curriculum: Proper Beekeeping, Mite control and Honey extraction

Inputs: UK specialist, State Apiarist, Local experts and ANR agents

Dates: Year around

Audience: Local Farmers and Homeowners interested in gardening

Project or Activity: Gardening and Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Gardening in Small Spaces, Raised Gardening, Fall Gardening, Canning and Freezing, Master Gardener, UK publications and info.

Inputs: ANR and FCS agent joint programs.

Dates: Spring, Summer and Fall

Audience: High School Youth enrolled in Agriculture classes

Project or Activity: Beef Programs at the High School

Content or Curriculum: Cattle vaccinations, Artificial Breeding, Pregnancy check, Nutrition.

Inputs: Local veterinarians, UK specialist, High school Ag teacher, ANR agnet

Dates: During school year. 

Success Stories