Ag Production & Natural Resources Plan of Work

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Knott County CES

Title:
Ag Production & Natural Resources
MAP:
Ag & Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Chad Conway, Dora Centers
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beef
Situation:

According to the CEDIK report, agriculture is one of the emerging Businesses for Knott County. Although, agriculture is not as prevalent in Knott County as in other parts of the state. The county has only 22 full-time farmers but several part-time and small farmers. Most of these producers have very diversified operations with small numbers of livestock and/or acres of pasture and crops. Even though these are smaller operations, they still add financial support to their families and the county. Farm acreage has increased steadily in the last fifteen years, mostly due to the increased use of reclaimed strip mine lands. The major livestock in the county consists of beef cattle, goats, and horses. The major crops consist of hay, corn, ornamentals, bedding plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also, a large number of the people in the county raise a small garden or fruit trees for home use. Forage lands harvested have more than doubled during the last five years, as well as a significant increase in the number of cropland acres harvested due to the use of reclaimed mine land. The County Extension Council and Agriculture & Natural Resources Council have directed us to address the above areas with the necessary emphasis on diversification and small farm production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults—mainly directed to those involved or interested in livestock, crops, fruit, and vegetable production, both commercially and family-based.

 

Forestry is also a significant industry in the county, with 84.7% of the land being forested. Since the decline in mining, logging has increased slowly but continues to increase. According to the latest CEDIK report, Forestry, Agriculture, Fishing, and Hunting are the emerging industries in Knott County. Presently, the county's citizens have become more aware of the importance of, and possible financial gain from, their forested lands. However, education is needed to help improve the forest's quality and improve citizen's forest management knowledge. Another agriculture development area that continues to grow is pasture and hay land or reclaimed mine land.

 

Although, we should use all of the natural resources of the county wisely. Citizens must learn conservation practices in order to protect the valuable ecosystem of the county.

 

Like many other counties in the area, environmental concerns are of great importance to the county, with water quality being the #1 concern. A recent survey conducted by the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service shows that over a third of survey residents are concerned about littering and illegal dumping in the county. The extension can help educate the public about the importance of the environment and about conservation methods that help improve environmental conditions. The County Extension Council, Agriculture & Natural Resources Council, Knott County Creeks & Streams (Pride) Committee, Knott County Soil Conservation, and local leaders agreed that the above issues are significant and must be addressed. Major areas to address are to include Knowledge of better management practices related to the protection of natural resources; Understanding of the environmental concerns in the area, and improving forage quality on reclaimed land.

 

Understanding the importance of good water quality; Knowledge of conservation efforts related to the environment, wildlife, and habitat; Knowledge that managing the forest could benefit the environment; and learn the importance of recycling.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Agricultural producers will manage their farms and resources to receive the most profit or production from their operations. They will develop the knowledge necessary to manage their agricultural operations to wisely use the land and resources for sustainability. Youth and adults of Knott County understand the importance of the wise use of natural resources and strive to improve the environmental conditions in the area.

 

 

Intermediate Outcomes:

An increase in agriculture production with an emphasis on livestock and horticulture.

 

Initial Outcomes:

Knowledge of better management practices and conservation-related to their enterprises.

 

Evaluation:

Observation and the use of pre and post-test results

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Horticulture Producers

Project or Activity: Insect Disease Control Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Research Information & Educational Curriculum UK Horticulture

Inputs: Specialist & Agents

Date: Annually 


Audience: Senior Citizens at Low Income Housing Complex 

Project or Activity: Raised Bed Gardens

Content or Curriculum: Raised Bed & UK Horticulture Curriculum

Inputs: Specialist & Snap-Ed Assistants

Date: Annually 


Audience: Beef Cow/Calf Producers

Project or Activity: East KY Beef IRM Program

Content or Curriculum: Feeding, Reproduction, Forages, Health, & General Management

Inputs: Specialist, Agents

Date: Continual

Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Improve Cattle Production

Content or Curriculum: Disease/Insect Control, & Small Area Production

Inputs: Reproduction Trend AI Equipment

Date: Spring & Fall


Audience: Landowners/Farmers

Project or Activity: Conservation Sustainability 

Content or Curriculum: Soil Samping, Cost-Share Programs, & Related Issues

Inputs: Knott Co Soil Conservation District

Date: Continual 


Audience: Famers, Gardeners, & Horticulturalist

Project or Activity: Knott County Agriculture & Natural Resources Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Address Various Issues at Critical Times and Announcements of Upcoming AGNR Programs. 

Input: UK Specialist, Agents, and Staff

Date: Monthly 


Audience: Bee Enthusiast/Beekeepers 

Project or Activity: Beekeeping 

Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping Club, Annual East KY Beekeeping School, KSU Beekeeping Programs

Inputs: KSU Bee Program & Local Producers Knowledge

Date: Bi-Monthly


Audience: Horticulture/Local Foods 

Project or Activity: Classes, Workshops for Horticulture Production 

Content or Curriculum: Hot Topics/Trends (High Tunnel Production/Berry Production/& Diversity of Local Foods)

Inputs: UK Specialist, Local Classes, USDA Conservation Service, and Knott County Farmers Market Committee

Date: Continual 


Audience: Youth/Adults

Project or Activity: Care of the Environment 

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: Agents

Date: On-Going


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Land Judging

Content or Curriculum: UK Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H agent & teachers

Date: Summer & Fall


Audience: Youth Various Grade Levels

Project or Activity: 4-H Poultry Classroom  Embryology & Life Cycle 

Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Poultry Curriculum 

Inputs: Classroom Teachers & 4-H Agent

Date: Spring 2023


Audience: Youth Ages 9-18 & Cloverbuds

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club 

Content or Curriculum: UK & National Horse Curriculum & Kits

Inputs: Certified Volunteer & 4-H Agent

Date: On-Going


Audience: Youth 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Forestry/Win With Wood 

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum

Inputs: Classroom Teachers & 4-H Agent

Date: On-Going


Audience: Cloverbuds Through 8th Grade

Project or Activity: Environmental Fair Days & Nature Days 

Content or Curriculum: UK & National 4-H Curriculum & PLT Curriuculum

Inputs: Army Core of Engineers, Classroom Teachers, & 4-H Agent

Date: On-Going


Audience: Community Members

Project or Activity: County Wide Clean-Ups

Content or Curriculum: Promotion & Recruitment for Local Cleanup Program of Roadsides & Streams

Inputs: Knott County Creeks & Streams, Community Volunteers, & Agents

Date: Spring/Fall


Audience: Youth/Teachers

Project or Activity: Recycling, Reuse Programs

Content or Curriculum: Cleanup Program in Schools, Recycling Pays, Rinse & Return, Appliance Buy-Back, & School Recycling Program

Inputs: Knott County Creeks & Streams, Community Volunteers, Knott County Soil Conservation, & Agents

Date: Fall 2022


Audience: Landowners/Farmers

Project or Activity: Reclaimed Mine Land Forage Improvement Program

Content or Curriculum: NRCS & UK Resources

Inputs: RCARS Resources, Agents, NRCS, Livestock Producers

Date: Fall 2023


Audience: Community/Tourism Board

Project or Activity: Recreational Tourism Events

Content or Curriculum: Educating Civic & Governmental Leadership on the Benefits of Increased Tourism Through Trai Rides & Other Special Events

Inputs: Agents, Extension Partners, & Community Leaders, Chamber of Commerce, & Knott County Tourism

Date: Year-Round


Audience: Youth/Adults

Project or Activity: Knott County Creeks & Streams (PRIDE) Committee

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Involvement in Natural Resources Programs & Projects

Inputs: Agents, Extension Partners, & Community Leaders

Date: Monthly 


Audience: Woodland Owners

Project or Activity: Profitability for Woodland Owners Webinars

Content or Curriculum: Two Night Sessions on Selling Timber & Management

Inputs: Forester, Extension Personel, & Division of Forestry

Date: As Available From UK Forestry


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Shitake Mushroom Program

Content or Curriculum: Workshop by ANR Agents

Inputs: ANR Agents

Date: November 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Energy Efficiency 

Content or Curriculum: Solar, Energy Awareness & 5 Star Rating, UK Extension, AEP Energy Efficient Program, & Mountain Association 

Inputs: Federal, UK & AEP Programs & Information

Date: Oct 2023, (Two-night sessions on Home Energy Efficiency)


Audience: Downtown Community 

Project or Activity: Hindman Greenscapes Project

Content or Curriculum: Plans & Community Partners in Planting Trees & Flowers for Beautification & Greenspaces in City

Inputs: Community Volunteers/Appalachian Artisan Center

Date: Summer 2023



Success Stories

Knott County agriculture agencies working together to help after the devastating flood

Author: Chadwick Conway

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

 The catastrophic flood of late July left the Knott County Agriculture Agent scrambling to find much-needed resources for his community. One area of need was the demand for grass seed for the increase in multiple slides, silt filled yards,pastures, and stream bank erosion. The grass seed was needed to suppress soil erosion and creek bank stabilization increased. Therefore, the agent reached out to the local soil conservation board of directors to see if they could assist with this need. The

Full Story

Extension Leadership helped over 400 farm families during the catastrophic flood in Eastern Kentucky

Author: Chadwick Conway

Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery

     On the morning of July 28, 2022 eastern Kentucky awoke to find the landscape of this area changed forever from historic flooding. Lives were lost, multiple homes and business were destroyed cars flooded or washed away and many of our farms were damaged or destroyed including livestock losses, structures, and equipment and feed loss.  It’s estimated that in the 4 Counties that had the most severe flooding, Breathitt, Knott, Letcher and Perry, that more than 5000 hom

Full Story

Chick Incubation - 4-H Ag Mini grant

Author: Dora Centers

Major Program: Agriculture

 4-H Chick incubation, embryology and poultry programs have been active in Knott County since 2013. Reaching thousands of youth during that time.  One 4-Her started with the program in middle school, now in college, runs his own KY Proud Poultry Farm. Our goal was to provide new resources for classroom volunteers and our participants.  Through the Kentucky 4-H Foundation's Ag Mini Grant program, we purchased the OSU Poultry Learning Lab Kit.  The kit proved to suppor

Full Story

Gardeners hope to be sucessful with coopertiave extension resources

Author: Chadwick Conway

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, accessing fresh local heirloom produce is very important for so many families. Many of them work hard at gardening in order for them to have fresh produce during the summer and to make sure that they have enough to preserve for the winter months to enjoy. Some even sell some of their produce along the way for an additional source of income when needed to help support their families. In late July of 2022, the historic flood wiped out the majority of gardens a

Full Story

Cooperative Extension collabrates to make sheep production better in the mountains

Author: Chadwick Conway

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Eastern Kentucky has a wealth of reclaimed mine land acreage suitable for grazing livestock.  Although many land owners have taken advantage of this for grazing beef cattle, many small landowners are now seeing an opportunity to get involved in sheep production, on a small scale with much lower input cost than beef cattle.  Also, with a regained interest in lamb as a choice for meat on the dinner table and in restaurants, we have seen an increase raising lambs across Kentucky.  Th

Full Story
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