Extension
It Starts With Us
McCracken County Commercial Agricultural Enterprises
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education
Anderson
Grains
Horticulture, Commercial
Hemp
Plant Disease ID
Situation 1: Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future.
Situation 2: Consumers and Producers lack accurate knowledge in status of their soil nutrients and pH.
Situation 3: Producers need information or production of forages.
Situation 4: Producers need information on production of hemp.
- Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
- Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
- Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
- Significant percentage of consumers and producers implementing IPM practices
- Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
- Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
- Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
- Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
- Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
- Implementation of on-farm trials
- Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
- Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
- Increase understanding of production regulations
- Understanding BioTech traits
- Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials
- Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production
- Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
- Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
- Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
- Knowledge of UK Soil Test program
Initial Outcome: Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
Indicator: Number of producers reporting an understanding of IPM practices increase.
Method: survey, formative assessment
Timeline: ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
Indicator: Producers report using at least one new use of technology in their operation.
Method: survey, formative assessment
Timeline: ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
Indicator: Number of producers report an increase in profit margin
Method: survey, formative assessment
Timeline: ongoing
Audience: Home owners, farmers, Paducah/McCracken County Schools (non-commercial)
Project or Activity: “Cheaper than Dirt” program and soil test program, including soil testing coupons
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Demonstrations, Soil Analysis reports
Inputs: Agents, UK/KSU Specialists, Soil sampling coupons, soil sample analysis, UK/KSU publications, UK/KSU Specialists,UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals (agents, specialists, Publications Research Information, Diagnostic Centers, UK Weather Center Commodity Associations, (ex: Soybean Board, Corn Growers, Small Grain Growers),State and Federal Agencies(ex: KDA, NRCS, EPA), Ag Advisory Councils, Farmers/Producers
Date: Ongoing
Audience: residents
Project or Activity: Commodity Breakfast
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers, agents
Date: fall
Audience: Producers and landlords
Project or Activity: Lease Agreement program
Content or Curriculum: publications, lease agreements
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers, agents
Date: ongoing
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Grains
The Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests are conducted annually across the Commonwealth. During the 2022 growing season, McCracken County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Samantha Anderson, collaborated with the University of Kentucky Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and local producer, Josh Goodwin, to conduct this high value research in McCracken County. These tests provide an unbiased and objective estimate of the relative performance of soybean varieties commercia
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification shows a favorable market outlook for production of blackberries within the state of Kentucky. Specifically, in relation to producers located near population centers, such as Paducah, an added marketing edge may be realized. Indicated by a 2011 study, Kentucky consumers show willingness to pay a premium for a product designated as locally produced. In response to this burgeoning market opportunity, McCracken County Cooperative Extension S
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
The West KY Small Ruminant Field Day, hosted by the Marshall, McCracken, Graves, and Calloway County Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents. The program, sponsored by the Sheep and Goat Development Check-off, was a jam-packed afternoon teeming with opportunities for producers to learn. Participants were enthralled with the on-farm speeches and demonstrations relating to profitable small ruminant production.There were three sessions which included a presentation on
