Increasing Agriculture Awareness and Profitability Plan of Work

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Hart County CES

Title:
Increasing Agriculture Awareness and Profitability
MAP:
Sustainability of Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Estes
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Horticulture, Commercial
Situation:

There are over 75,000 farms in the state of Kentucky.  Those farms produce a variety of agricultural related products.  The top five agricultural commodities include broilers, other animal products, soybeans, corn and cattle (USDA ERS, 2020)   Every person in Kentucky is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, work places and vehicles. People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. It is important to increase a young persons awareness of the impact agriculture has on their daily life.  It is also important to help educate our farming community on up to date research based information so they can advance their farming practices.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

· Youth and adults will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.

· Youth and adults will adopt safe and profitable agricultural practices.

· Youth and adults will make informed decisions that will be increase profits and reduce expenses.

· Youth and adults will produce a high quality agriculture product. 

Intermediate Outcomes:
  • Youth and adults will improve and maintain agriculture practices 
  • Youth and adults will adopt safety practices on the farm
  • Youth will practice life skills in agriculture projects and food production
  • Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability

     
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge in animal science and natural resources

Indicator: Number of youth participating in 4-H livestock and horse activities and natural resource projects

Method: Enrollment in projects and clubs

Timeline: July 2022 - June 2023


Intermediate Outcomes: Youth apply their knowledge and skills by competing in livestock and horse contest, forestry field day, and completing 4-H country ham project

Indicator: Number of youth earning top ten awards at local, district and state competitions

Method: Number of youth competing in competitions

Timeline: July 2022 -June 2023


Long-term Outcomes: Youth becoming owners of their own livestock/horse operation and/or adopting a career in the agriculture or conservation industry.

Indicator: Number of youth livestock owners and number of 4-H alumni who enter the workforce in the career field

Method: Word of mouth, observation, and survey

Timeline: On going


Initial Outcome: Gained knowledge in the areas of animal husbandry and production practices. 

 Indicator: Individuals state they gained knowledge and aspire to implement practices on their farm

 Method: Post educational activity evaluation

 Timeline: July 2022 – June 2023



 Intermediate Outcomes: Individuals implement production practices learned during educational classes to increase profitability

 Indicator: Number of practices adopted and implemented

 Method: Post evaluations and follow up surveys

 Timeline: July 2022 – June 2023



 Long-term Outcomes: Farmers will be more profitable by applying learned marketing strategies and production practices

 Indicator: Number of participants who adopt recommended practices and impact increased profitability

 Method: Evaluations, follow up surveys and testimony

 Timeline: On going

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
 Date: July 2022 – June 2023


Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: June 2022 to July 2023

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum & Farm Safety Curriculum
Inputs: Hart County Fairgrounds
Date: Fall 2022

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Equine Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
 Date: July 2022 – June 2023

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horticulture Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: May & June 2023

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Educational Trainings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: Fall 2022 – Spring 2023

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Educational Trainings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: Fall 2022 – Spring 2023


Audience: Adult
Project or Activity: BQCA Training
Content or Curriculum: KY Cattlemen BQCA
Inputs: Agriculture
Date: Spring 2023

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: UK Pesticide Training
Content or Curriculum: UK Pesticide Training Curriculum
Inputs: Agriculture
Date: Spring 2023


 



Success Stories

Livestock Evaluation Fosters Critical Thinking Skills

Author: Timothy Estes

Major Program: Beef

Agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, & Metcalfe counties pulled together to facilitate the 2022 CPC Fall Field Day Livestock Judging Contest.  The Celsor & Pedigo families want to expose youth to agriculture and help them develop life skills.  The annual livestock judging contest is staple at the Fall Field Day.   Over 400 youth from Kentucky and Tennessee participated.  Each youth was asked to evaluate 2 classes of breeding heifers, 1 class of breeding ewes, and 1 class

Full Story

2022 Hart County Farm to Table

Author: Timothy Estes

Major Program: Local Food Systems

On July 29th, 2022, Hart County Cooperative Extension partnered with the Hart County Cattlemen’s Association in hosting its 5th annual Farm to Table Dinner.   This annual event has become such a sought after gathering that tickets are commonly sold out within 24-48 hours of being offered.  It has been my honor over the past few years, even before being employed by Hart County Extension, to be heavily involved in the procurement of local fruits and vegetables for the dinner menu.

Full Story

SFMNP Success Story

Author: Timothy Estes

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Hart County Farmers Market is a small but growing entity.  Every year the market seems to get a little bigger and better and support grows due to many factors.  One of those factors being the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).  This year Hart County Extension Office administered the SFMNP for the market.  Due to a big push in social media advertising as well as word of mouth, we signed up 222 Senior Citizens who met the income requirements for the program. &

Full Story

Sheep and Goat production in Hart county

Author: Timothy Estes

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Small ruminant numbers in Hart County has been on a steady increase the past several years.  More and more people are seeing the advantages of having small ruminants on their farm especially if they own small acreage.   On January 26th, 2023 the Hart County Cooperative Extension service offered a small ruminant production class taught by the director of animal health for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Dr. Beth Johnson.  There were 19 producers in attendance for the class.

Full Story

2023 Tri County Hay and Straw Auction

Author: Timothy Estes

Major Program: Forages

Tri-County Hay & Straw Auction started as only Metcalfe, Monroe & Barren Counties.  Today the cooperating counties are Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe.   The anticipated annual event is something both buyers and sellers of hay and straw have come to depend on.  Seemingly each year presents undesirable weather conditions that brings about a forage supply shortage for some producers.  The auction system of selling hay allows the supply and demand to accurate

Full Story
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