New opportunities for agriculture in Knox CountyPlan of Work

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Knox County CES

Title:
New opportunities for agriculture in Knox County
MAP:
Furthering Agriculture Diversification
Agents Involved:
Wayne Kirby, Renata Farmer, Kelsee Dewees
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves. 

With an uncertain economy, the need for agriculture diversification and niche production is at an all time high. Through educational workshops and hands-on farm visits, Knox County Extension will be able to help local farm families determine the best commodities to be successful. The ANR program council identified the need for educational programs that educate them on new markets, production techniques and ways to increase farm revenue but also the need for youth to be educated on agriculture. As a result, the ANR & 4-H programs will team to strive to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Knox County through positive youth development programs on agriculture & natural resources.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Farmers will increase AG profitability

Indicator: Farmers will expand from traditional methods/crops to diversifying crops/methods to increase profit

Method: Testimonials; observation and pre/post testing.

Timeline: Throughout year  


Intermediate Outcome: Farm families and interested members of the general public will gain a better understanding of animal husbandry and livestock/horse showmanship.

Indicator: Individuals will successfully raise and/or show animals as part of 4-H and/or Ag Extension Programs.

Method: Testimonials; observation and pre/post testing.

Timeline: Throughout program plan year


Initial Outcome: Farmers will gain and utilize new knowledge and skills that will help them increase agricultural profitability.

Indicator:Farmers will attend local workshops and will put new information, methods and techniques into practice.

Method: Testimonials; observation.

Timeline: Throughout program plan


Outcome: Youth will plan & implement an agricultural project

Indicator: Youth will participate in an agricultural project (e.g, rabbit club, country ham project, gardening)

Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey Tool

Timeline: Fall 2022/Fall 2023

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers/ Producers

Activity: Farm Visits

Content/Curriculum: Research based information tailored to needs of the producer

Date: Throughout year 2022-2023


Activity: Ag Producer Meetings

Content/Curriculum: Information on production and management of livestock, forages and commercial crops. Information on promotion and advancement of agri-tourism opportunities.

Date:  Fall/Spring


Activity: Test Plots

Content/Curriculum: Commercial crops and grazing

Date: Fall 2022/Spring 2023


Audience: Youths

Activity Agircultural based lessons/club lessons/special projects

Content/Curriculum: 4-H publications on chick incubation / country ham / Rabbit curricula / gardening

Date: Throughout school year


Audience: Youth

Activity: Gardening kits

Content / Curriculum: 4-H curriculum and NEP curriculum

Date: Summer


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: News and Views

Content or Curriculum: ANR curriculum on area needed (horticulture, spraying, feeding)

Inputs: agent, assistant

Date: monthly


Audience: Families, Producers, Youth

Project or Activity: Farmers Market exhibit & participation booths

Content or Curriculum: ANR, FCS, 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: agents, assistants, volunteers

Date: Spring, Summer Fall 2022


**Activities may be completed in an online/virtual experience (if needed) or in the tradition in-person setting.





Success Stories

Precise Acres

Author: Robert Kirby

Major Program: Forages

With the increase in costs of fertilize, herbicides, and seeds, Knox County Farmers were concerned about total costs of supplies they needed for maximum production in pastures, hayfields, and crop fields.Through training, Knox County Agriculture Agent learned how to use a GPS and measure fields to get precise acres thus decreasing the chance of miscalculations of field acreage and increased costs. By using the GPS to calculate acreage, farmers recognized that they had fields that were overestima

Full Story

Knox County Cattleman's Association

Author: Robert Kirby

Major Program: Beef

The Knox County Cattleman's Association meeting in January 2023 offered a Beef Quality Assurance Training held by the Knox County Ag Agent. In attendance, 15 of the members needed the Beef Quality Assurance Certification to further individual grant opportunities. This certification program is offered in-person through local Extension Offices and offers an online option. The certification fee is waved online however, participants who needed assistance or do not have access to technology resou

Full Story

Recovery Garden

Author: Kelsee Dewees

Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General

According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a person should consume fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy eating pattern to reduce their risk for chronic diseases such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity.  Also, less than 10% of older adults meet the dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake.  Many of those in Knox County were not aware of how to garden to produce fresh fruits and vegetables.      &nbs

Full Story

Cumberland Gap Beef Cattle Conference

Author: Robert Kirby

Major Program: Beef

     Following two years of COVID and still seeing a need for more education for cattle farmers in the tri-state region agents from Harlan, Bell and Knox Counties, Kentucky: Lee, Wise, and Scott Counties, VA: and Claiborne and Hancock Counties, TN held in the fifth Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference.      The goal was to address the needs and to update cattle farmers on economics of fertilizer, feeding byproducts, Theileria and Asian longhorn tick and four hands

Full Story

Area corn meeting

Author: Robert Kirby

Major Program: Grains

     Corn is still a traditional crops several farmers in E3 still grow to sale and be used as feed on the farm. With the cost of production per acre increasing each year higher yields are needed to compensate for the expense. Corn growers need to be educated on new technology and production strategies that are research based and shows successful results. To meet the educational need agents in E3 invited Dr. Chad Lee to come and do an area meeting and present research based findin

Full Story
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