Warren County CES

Title:

Livestock & Crop Production and Commercial Horticulture 2023

MAP:

Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Joanna Coles and Kristin Hildabrand

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Integrated Pest Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Horticulture, Commercial

Situation:

In 2017, Warren County’s total value of crop sales was $50,458,000 and total value of livestock sales was $60,438,000.  With this large emphasis and economic impact, livestock and crop programming is important to Warren County farmers. 

The number of farms and acres for commercial horticulture also continues to grow. According to the 2017 USDA Ag Census, Warren County ranks #1 in fruit, nut and berry production and #31 in vegetable production. It also includes 1,715 acres of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Livestock operations and commercial horticulture growers will report increased profitability and sustainability
• Crop producers will improve profitability through better production and marketing management
• Commercial horticulture producers will expand and maintain access to local food.  
• Individuals will improve environmental quality through reducing, reusing and recycling and best management conservation practices

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Farmers and commercial horticulture producers will adopt Extension recommendations, utilize best management practices and marketing strategies
• Farmers and commercial horticulture producers will create and apply new technologies
• Farmers and commercial horticulture producers will establish new markets. 
• Commercial horticulture producers will establish new markets for their business. 
• Farmers will recycle pesticide containers and dispose of pesticides in the proper manner
• Consumers will conserve water and follow best management practices to improve water quality
• Consumers will reduce nonpoint source pollution

Initial Outcomes:

• Farmers will increase husbandry knowledge, learn recommended production practices and aspire to implement them in their farming operation to improve profitability
• Farmers will gain knowledge in recommended production and marketing practices for grain, forage and woodland crops
• Individuals will learn benefits  of recycling, responsible use of pesticides, conservation practices, nonpoint source pollution and energy & natural resource conservation
• Commercial horticulture growers will increase their knowledge on specific growing practices and methods to help them extend their growing season. They will also learn about integrated pest management strategies (IPM) as well as utilizing different testing and diagnostic services in order to improve management and production. 
• Farmers and commercial horticulture growers will learn how to use technology as a marketing tool by exploring possible additions through website creation, newsletters, blogs, Facebook and other social media platforms.   
• Commercial horticulture growers will grow their knowledge in other areas of farm business such as integrated pest management practices (IPM), record keeping and financial management, and marketing.   
• Horticulture producers will begin to explore different markets and also consider other crop diversification options for their farm.  

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Gained knowledge in the areas of animal husbandry and production practices. Producers will learn about best management & production practices

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

Method:  Post educational activity evaluation

Timeline:  Throughout the year

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge on specific growing practices and methods to help them extend the growing season. Commercial horticulture producers will learn about integrated pest management strategies (IPM) and utilize different testing and diagnostic services.

Indicator: Producers note that they gained the knowledge of different growing practices and season extension techniques. There will be an increase in commercial samples for diagnostic and testing services through the county CES office.

Method: surveys, phone calls, emails, and testimonies 

Timeline: Throughout the year 

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

Indicator:  Number of practices adopted and implemented 

Method:  Post evaluations and follow up surveys

Timeline: 6-8 weeks after educational activity 

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: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality & Care Assurance

Content or Curriculum: Best Management Practices and Consumer Confidence

Inputs: BQA manual, facilities

Date: Winter 2022

Audience: Beef Producers, Industry Representatives

Project or Activity: Beef Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Back grounding, health facilities

 Inputs: Farm operator, facilities, sponsors, tables, av equipment

 Date:  September 2022

Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Educational Beef Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition, health, marketing, policies

Inputs: Agents time, facilities, sponsors, industry reps, volunteers

Date: 3^rd Thursday of each month September thru April

Audience: Crop & Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Rinse & Return

Content or Curriculum: Proper disposal of pesticide containers

Inputs: KDA staff, facilities, advertisements, volunteers

Date: September 2022 & June 2023

Audience: Homeowners, Crop & Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicators Training

Content or Curriculum: Pesticide Safety, Worker Protection Standards, recordkeeping, Understanding Pesticide Labels, crop related pests, restricted use pesticides

Inputs: Facilities, videos, publications

Date: January – February 2023

Audience: Industry Representatives, Commercial Applicators 

Project or Activity: SoKY Commercial Pesticide Training

Content or Curriculum: General Pesticide Use

Inputs: Agents time, specialist, facilities

Date: December 2022

Audience: Commercial Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Warren Co. Beekeepers Association monthly meetings

Content or Curriculum: Local beekeepers, Extension specialists and agents

 Inputs: Meeting space, time and mail outs

 Date: July 2021 – June 2022

Audience: Commercial & Sustainable Horticulture Producers

Project or Activity: Warren County Beekeepers Association 

Content or Curriculum: Hive health & management, honey products & marketing

Inputs: Meeting space, time, mail outs

Date: 4th Tuesday of each month 

Audience: Commercial Horticulture Producers & Farmers Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT) and Sampling  

Content or Curriculum: Produce Best Practices PowerPoint presentation material, KY Department of Agriculture Sampling information  

Inputs: Extension Specialists, visual aids 

Date: Winter, Spring, and Summer 

Audience: Commercial Producers and Horticulture Enthusiasts 

Project or Activity: Media Appearances via Radio and Television

Content or Curriculum: Up-to-date and seasonal information for producers

Inputs: Promotional materials, visual aids

Date: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter

Audience: Home and Commercial Gardeners

Project or Activity: Horticulture Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Commercial and consumer gardening techniques

Inputs: Extension specialists, Kentucky Pest News, Crop Diversification, etc.  

Date: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter

Audience: Commercial & Sustainable Horticulture Producers  

Project or Activity: Speciality Crop Conference

Content or Curriculum: CES curriculum, Commercial Horticulture, Crop Diversification, Season Extension Techniques, etc.  

Inputs: Extension agents & specialists, speciality crop growers, etc.

Date: Winter 2022

Success Stories