Sustainable AgriculturePlan of Work

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Woodford County CES

Title:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAP:
Agricultural and Environmental
Agents Involved:
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beef
Situation:

Farms are an essential and diverse part of Kentucky’s economy, contributing billions of dollars each year across the State. In Woodford County alone, agriculture and the businesses that support it are responsible for one out of three jobs and $565 million in annual revenue.  The Extension Service continues to work toward a strong agricultural community and local food system.  Educational programs must holistically target farm viability by teaching sustainable production practices including enhancing soil quality and health, economic profitability, and natural resource conservation to ensure the longevity of farms and landscapes within the community. In addition, agricultural awareness in the community must be addressed through educational programs about where and how food and other agricultural products are produced. 




Long-Term Outcomes:

Preservation and improvement of financial health of farms in the community.

Increased interest in agriculture and horticulture production.

Homeowners will save more money on home landscape.

Increased diversification of crops produced in Woodford county.



Intermediate Outcomes:

Clientele implement sound environmental and economic practices.

Initial Outcomes:

Clientele are aware of practices to sustain or improve the well-being of their farms, gardens and landscapes.

Increased interest in local foods




Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Clientele are aware of practices to sustain or improve natural resources on their farms.

Indicator: Observation

Method: Personal Interviews

Timeline: Yearly


Intermediate Outcome: Clientele implement sound environmental and economic practices.

Indicator: Observation

Method: Site visits, personal interviews

Timeline: Yearly


Long-Term Outcome: Enhancement of economic and ecological sustainability for farmers and homeowners within the community.

Indicator: Ag Census, Soil test reports

Method: National Ag Statistics Service, U.K. Regulatory Services

Timeline: Yearly

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers/Landowners

Project or Activity: Educational Programs, Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Sustainable farm management and agricultural production.

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant Time, Specialist Time, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Woodford Co. Conservation District, Woodford County Beef Cattle Association, Farmer Cooperators

Date: Yearly


Audience: Homeowners/Farmers/Landowners

Project or Activity: Soil Testing Service

Content or Curriculum: Soil testing for residents to promote sustainable management decisions

Inputs: Agent Time

Date: Yearly


Audience: Homeowners/Farmers

Project or Activity: Horticulture Educational Programs/Events/Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Sustainable horticultural practices for farms, home gardens, and landscapes.

Inputs: Agent Time, Specialist Time, CES publications

Date: January - December


Audience: Woodford County Residents

Project or Activity: Diagnostic Services and Recommendations

Content: UK Extension Resources

Inputs: ANR and HORT agents, UK Extension Specialists and Resources

Date: On-going Year round


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Local Foods Directory, Farm to Table Dinner

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing to Promote Local Foods

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant's time

Date: Annually



Audience: Youth

Project or Curriculum: Plant Camp, Junior Master Gardener 

Inputs: Agent Time, Master Gardeners, Specialists, local farmers, CES publications

Date: Yearly


Audience: Woodford County Residents

Project or Curriculum: Community Gardens

Inputs: Agent Time, Master Gardeners, local community members, CES publications

Date: Yearly


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Beginning Farmer Program

Content or Curriculum: Educational program

Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, , Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Woodford County Conservation District, Farm Service Agency, UK Specialists

Date: Every other year


Audience: Homeowners/Landowners

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: Agent Time, U.K. Specialists, CES Publications

Date: Every other year




Success Stories

Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays continues to see interest and growth

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Horticulture Webinar Wednesday virtual programming continues to see interest and growth in its third season. Since February 2022, when the 3rd season started, through June 30, 2022, a total of 522 attendees have participated in the twenty live weekly webinars. Additionally, the zoom based “lunch and learn” horticultural program continues draw in participants not only at the weekly Wednesday webinars at 12:30 ET-11:30 CT, but also through the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays YouTube ch

Full Story

Improved Grazing

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Forages

After the untimely death of a local producer, the producer's daughter came home to help run the day to day operations of her family's farm.  With little experience and knowledge of the crops and livestock on the farm, she reached out to the Woodford County Extension Service for assistance.  After some one on one consultations with the agriculture and natural resources agent, she was encouraged to participate in several upcoming programs including the 2-day 2021 Kentucky Grazing

Full Story

Farm to School Taste Testing

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Local Food Systems

U.S. childhood obesity has tripled since 1980, with 9.5% of infants and toddlers and 16.9% of children ages 2 to 19 considered obese (Ogden, Carroll, Curtin, Lamb, & Flegal, 2010). Research shows that early childhood is the ideal time to establish a taste for healthy foods and a desire to try new things in order to encourage life-long, healthy habits. Research also clearly shows that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help protect against several chronic diseases, such as obesity,

Full Story

Antibiotic Law Changes

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Beef

With recent law changes regarding the sale of antibiotics for livestock production, the Woodford and Fayette County Extension Services partnered with a local veterinarian to lead an informational session for producers regarding the changes.  After listening to the law changes, fifty-eight producers were able to effectively interact with multiple veterinarians  to ask specific questions regarding their operations and how the new ruling will affect them.  After hearing from multiple

Full Story
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