Extension
It Starts With Us
Develop stronger, more sustainable agricultural economy and conserve natural resources.
Agriculture Education/Production and Environmental awareness.
Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Local Food Systems
In 2017, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Whitley County was $6,059,000. The total farm production expenses (average per farm) was $12,478 compared to $61,929 for the state. Farm acreage is 58,983 acres which is 21% of the county total. There are 668 farmers with an average age of 58.
Forests cover nearly half the state of Kentucky and are the foundation of a forest sector that is a major economic force in the Commonwealth.
The 2020 estimates for the economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest sector include:
$9.55 billion in direct economic contribution
$13.97 billion in total economic contributions
27,000 jobs in the forest sector and an estimated 53,000 jobs overall
The Kentucky Forest Sector is divided into six sub-sectors:
Logging
Primary Wood Manufacturing
Pulp and Paper
Secondary Wood Manufacturing
Paper Converters
Wood Residue
Each of these sub-sectors is comprised of multiple forest businesses. The wood resources that support Kentucky’s forest sector primarily come from Kentucky’s forests. Each acre of harvested timber is estimated to contribute $23,288 to Kentucky’s economy. Whitley County contributes to all aspects of the forest sector economy in Kentucky.
Increased support for local food producers.
Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations.
Reduced illegal dumping and littering.
Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations.
Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner.
People understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy.
Agricultural and forestry operators/producers become aware of and try new markets
Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County.
More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering.
Agricultural and forestry markets identified and promoted.
Longterm Outcome: Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operations remaining in business.
Method: Observation and surveys.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Longterm Outcome: Reduced illegal dumping and littering.
Indicator: Number of people using “Dumpster Days” as a way to dispose of trash and debris.
Method: Observation and “Dumpster Days” records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Longterm Outcome: Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations.
Indicator: Number of new or expanding agricultural and forestry markets.
Method: Observation and forest products industry index.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Intermediate Outcome: Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in trainings offered.
Method: Observation and training records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Intermediate Outcome: All people understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy.
Indicator: Number of people who participate in pollution education events.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Intermediate Outcome: Agricultural and forestry operators become aware of and try new markets.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in market education events.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Initial Outcome: Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in educational events.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Initial Outcome: More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering.
Indicator: Number of advertisements for “Dumpster Days” in media.
Method: Circulation of newspapers and social media contacts.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Initial Outcome: More Whitley County residents become aware of agricultural and forestry markets.
Indicator: Number of participants who become aware of agricultural and forestry markets.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA
NRCS, etc.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: monthly meetings.
Audience: Sheep/goat producersProject or Activity: Southeast sheep and goat association.
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA
NRCS, etc.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: annual meetings.
Audience: Sustainable agriculture.
Project or Activitie: Small Farms Group
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA
NRCS, etc.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: monthly meetings.
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activities: Whitley County Bee Club
Content: UK pubs, KDA Beelines and other pubs, and KSU pubs.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: monthly meetings except in winter.
Audience: Gardeners
Project or Activities: Save the Children gardening program
Content: UK pubs
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: monthly meetings.
Audience: Agricultural and Horticultural producers.
Project or Activities: Pesticide safety trainings.
Content: UK pubs and KDA training materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: ongoing
Audience: Loggers
Project or Activities: Master Logger trainings.
Content: UK pubs and Kentucky Division of Forestry materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: ongoing
Audience: Whitley County residents.
Project or Activities: Whtiley County Ag Day.
Content: UK pubs and other agency materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: Annual event in August/September
Audience: Whitley County landowners and forest industry personnel.
Project or Activities: Kentucky Wood Expo
Content: UK pubs
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: Biennial.
Audience: Whitley County Residence
Project or Activities: Art in the Garden
Content: UK Pubs, CEDIK
Inputs: Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H
Date: Spring-Fall
Audience: Whitley County Residence
Project or Activities: Art and Agriculture workshops
Content: UK pubs, CEDIK
Inputs: Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H
Date: Spring-Fall
Audience: Whitley County Residence
Project or Activities: Building and Design for Farm equipment
Content: UK pubs, CEDIK, Farmer Resources
Inputs: Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H
Date: Spring-Fall
Audience: Whitley County Residence
Project or Activities: Mixed Media with materials from environment
Content: UK pubs, CEDIK
Inputs: Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H
Date: Ongoing
Audience: General Public/Families
Project or Activity: Earth Day Celebration
Content or Curriculum: UK publication, Fine Arts, KSU, SNAP, NASA, 4-H, Horticulture, Agriculture, FCS
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Soil Conservation Service, Adult Education Service, Save the Children, Local Recycling organizations, schools, City Government, Farmers Market, EFNEP
Date: April-ongoing
Audience: General Public/Families
Project or Activity: Environmental education through the arts
Content or Curriculum: UK publication, Fine Arts, KSU, SNAP, NASA, 4-H, Horticulture, Agriculture, FCS, NAAEE, KEEC
Inputs: Fine Arts, 4-H, Agricultural, local artist, Volunteers, Soil Conservation Service, Local Recycling organizations, schools
Date: Spring-Fall 2021-24
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
On May 20, 2022, One hundred and four Small Limited Resource farmers and beginning farmers attended Agriculture Weekend. They learned information from "How to Grow Mushrooms," presented by Beth Wilson, UK Pulaski County Horticulture Agent, to "Creating Your Winning Business Plan" by Dr. Gary R. Stratton, Kentucky State University. On May 21, 2022, eighty-four small limited resources and beginning farmers attended Agriculture Workshop 101, day two, and learned information
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Beef
The Cumberland Gap region has a sizeable cattle industry. Due to the geographical location and resources, it is often hard for producers in the area to attend conferences and other larger Extension Programs. With the creation of Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the area now has facilities to hold such events. Producers travel between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia to obtain resources. Some farm in more than one state. Collaborating wi
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
The Small Farm Program and Beginning Farmer Project of Kentucky State University collaborated with the University of Kentucky to conduct two classes on cultivating Shitake mushrooms through mushroom inoculation. The classes were held on March 23 at 1 pm and 6 pm at the Whitley County Extension Office in Goldbug. Thirty-two limited resource farmers attended the classes and learned about selecting appropriate hardwood logs for mushroom inoculation, watering and stacking the inoculated logs, and th
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Management
The economic challenges the citizens of Whitley County face and to share some encouraging news regarding the Kentucky State UniversitySmall Farm Conference Eastern Kentucky Style.Per the 2022 U.S. Census, our community has struggled economically. The per capita income for the past 12 months was recorded at $20,633, and a concerning 27.6% of our population lives in poverty. These statistics indicate our residents' tough times, necessitating concerted efforts to address this pressing issue.In
