Educational Opportunities for Producers, Gardeners and farmers marketsPlan of Work

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Webster County CES

Title:
Educational Opportunities for Producers, Gardeners and farmers markets
MAP:
Agriculture and Horticulture Education
Agents Involved:
Shadrick, Green, Raymer
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Situation:

Webster County is a rural county. According to NASS, In 2017, Webster County had  500 farm landowners on approximately 170,000 acres, which represented 75% of total county land. Commodity sales totaled 55.1 million.  Farming operations continue to expand and grain crop production is facing a downward pressure.  Severe economic distress due to high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent and flooded machinery market is expected for the foreseeable future.  

Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households).  Local gardeners will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for specific answers to their gardening questions.  Farmers' markets continue to thrive as consumers are buying local produce, meat, honey and value added products.  There is an increase in gardeners interest in becoming vendors in the farmers' market.  Vendors look to Cooperative Extension for Producers Best Practices Training and recommendations for gardening, food preservation and diagnostic services. Consumers and producers need to understand GMO's and organic production as it relates to conventional production.  The global pandemic of 2020 has increased the interest the local food movement even more.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize profits for commercial agriculture producers

Minimize environmental impact by following recommended use of pesticides, herbicides, and/or fertilizers

Maintain or increase access of locally produced foods based on sales and/pr percentage of redemption of alternate payment programs (SFMNP and KDD)

Increased the amount and/or variety of locally grown or processed foods

Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations

Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals

Intermediate Outcomes:

Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production

Implementation of on-farm trials

Adopt usage of new technology for crop production

Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds

Successfully complete PAT and/or pesticide specific certifications related to grain crop production

Design effective spray schedules for plant pest management

Develop an AG plan using decision making tools

Apply skills of food safety and food preparation to afford healthy nutritious food choices

Earn certifications to distribute or sell raw and processed foods (home-based microprocessor, PBPT, home baker, KY Proud, Sampling certificate)

Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and food safety

Use Extension diagnostic services

Use Integrated Pest Management practices in grain and/or produce production

Initial Outcomes:

Increase knowledge of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and pest management tactics

Demonstrate proper use of sprayer and equipment related to application

Identifying active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action

Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production

Understanding importance of and frame work for on-farm trials

Understanding organic vs conventional production

Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pest

Understand how to match plants to appropriate planting location

Recognize the value of diagnostic testing

Recognize required food safety practices

Farmers market vendors can interpret local, state and federal regulations for food safety, food processing, marketing and sales

Increase vendors at Farmer's Market

Increase awareness of Plate It Up KY Proud by sampling at Farmer's Market

Increase customer support of farmers market

Increase redemption rate of SFMNP Vouchers

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Private applicators identify active ingredients in crop related ag products learned through pesticide certification trainings

Method: pre/post test 

Timeline: Before and after pesticide training class


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Grain and produce growers successfully earn certifications needed to expand operation and improve profitability

Method: number of producers that obtained certifications

Timeline: after growing season


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Increase redemption rate for the Webster County Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program 

Method:  Redemption rate calculation through USDA Senior program coordinator  

Timeline: End of farmers market reporting timeframe, November annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Webster County Grain Farmers and Landowners

Project or Activity: Adult Farm Classes 

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs: UK Extension Agents; UK Specialist, NRCS, Community Partners

Date: December through March


Audience:  Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Tri-County Grain Day 

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, seed company corn and soybean variety

Inputs: UK Specialist, agents, local producers

Date: Winter 2022-23 


Audience: Webster County Producers 

Project or Activity: Private Applicator Training

Content or Curriculum: UK pesticide safety resources

Inputs: Extension Agents, UK Specialist, Local ag retail managers and agronomist

Date: Annually 


Audience: Farmers Market Vendors

Activity: Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program training

Content: Provided presentation

Inputs: Agents and KDA

Date: Prior to farmers' market season


Audience:  Farmers, homeowners, anyone

Activity:  KY Ag Matters podcast

Content:  UK publications, KDA, Farm Bureau, KSP, Etc.

Inputs:  ANR agents in Mclean, Hopkins and Webster county, UK specialists, local guest

Date:  weekly






Success Stories

Webster County Farm to Fork

Author: Vicki Shadrick

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Webster County Farm to Fork

The Kentucky Proud Farm to Fork program increases awareness of buying local while teaming up with a local charitable organization.  The events highlight local farmers, Kentucky Proud farm products and local chefs while raising money for a local approved organization.The Webster County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Webster County Farmers’ market, local producers, Kentucky Department of Agriculture and volunteers came together to plan and implement the first Web

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KY Ag Matters Podcast

Author: Vicki Shadrick

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

KY Ag Matters Podcast

Over the past three years, we have all learned new ways to connect with people.  Even during a global pandemic, businesses found ways to continue to meet the needs of their clientele and families found ways to stay connected without gathering in person.  Stepping out of our comfort zones to learn new skills quickly became the new normal.  The pandemic is over, but learning and adapting to new ways to connect to our clientele is still a priority. Agriculture and Natural Resources E

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Tri-County Ag Extension Educational Series

Author: Vicki Shadrick

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Tri-County Ag Extension Group Educational Series Tri-County Ag Extension Group consists of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents in Webster, McLean and Hopkins Counties.  The counties are not only alike geographically, but also agriculturally.  Many producers in the tri-county area farm in all three counties.  With specialist demand during the “winter meeting season” coupled with travel constraints, moving toward multi-county educational opportunities just make

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