Nicholas County CES

Title:

New Agriculture Opportunities

MAP:

Diversified Agriculture

Agents Involved:

ANR/FCS

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Agritourism Planning

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Situation:

Nicholas County has traditionally been one of the most tobacco dependent counties in the state, both through history and total county revenue. It is a desperate need to find crops/resources to fill this growing void. The diversification of the agriculture community is the only viable way to combat this issue. Farmers must realize the need to add additional crops to diversify their operations and to keep a consistent flow of income to their operation and to the county.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Employ thriving niche market producers with multiple agritourism locations in the county

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increased acreage in nontraditional crops
Growth in local farmers market with increased customer base
Utilize nontraditional marketing options in the county

Initial Outcomes:

Producers investigate marketing options available to them
Increase in microprocessing certificates and farmers market producers

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase in microprocessor certificates
Indicator: rise in number of microprocessors in the county
Method: number of participants and graduates
Timeline: ongoing

Intermediate Outcome: Increased acreage in nontraditional crops
Indicator: growth in new/nontraditional crops in the county
Method: census data/farm visits
Timeline: ongoing

Long-term Outcome: Niche Market Producers
Indicator: presence of KY Proud Producers in the county
Method: marketing and presence on KDA website
Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Traditional Tobacco Farmers
Project or Activity: crop diversification field days
Content or Curriculum: farmers market GAP training/microprocessing workshop
Inputs: UK specialists, collaboration of agents and local organizations (Cattlemen's Assc, Chamber of Commerce, Community Economic Dev)
Date: 2016-2017

Audience: NC Producers
Project or Activity: Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: Publications
Inputs: publications, specialists, diagnostic testing
Date: 2016-2020

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