Supporting Local AgriculturePlan of Work

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Menifee County CES

Title:
Supporting Local Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture
Agents Involved:
McCarty, Walton
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

The majority of Menifee County agriculture is produced on small farms. Over the last few years, the Menifee County Extension Office has contributed to improving access to local, healthy food by training and certification of farmers, gardeners, beef producers 4-Her, Homemakers, and food entrepreneurs. Food production can begin with washing produce, home baking, home canning, vaccinating livestock, and producing quality forages.  Consumers are at least 2 -3 generations removed from the farm.  Educating consumer and todays youth on were the food comes from is very important.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Attendees will increase the availability of fresh fruits vegetables, and meat to the community.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and food safety as well as obtaining certifications to sell direct to consumer and value-added products.  

Initial Outcomes:

Attendees will increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in beef production, forage practices, chemical usage, and marketing.

Evaluation:


Outcome:  Increased items at the farmers market.

Method:  Visual.

Timeline:  Summer 2022.


Outcome:  Increased Ag Sales.

Indicator:  USDA Statistics.

Method:  Research.

Timeline: Fall 2022.


Outcome:  Increased Ag knowledge.

Indicator: Survey Questions.

Method:  Survey.

Timeline:  Fall 2022.


Outcome: Increase Youth Knowledge in Agriculture.

Indicator: Survey Questions.

Method: Formal and Informal Survey.

Timeline: Spring 2023.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: YAK Farmer, Beef Producers

                       Project or Activity:  Hay Research, Semen Extender Research

                        Content or Curriculum: Weight Gain on different hays

                        Inputs: Agent, Farmer, and UK Specialist

                        Date :Fall Winter 2022-2023


                        Project or Activity:  Beef Producer Meetings

                        Content or Curriculum:  Hay Quality, Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Specialist 

                        Date: Quarterly Meetings

Audience: Farmers Market/Horticulture

                       Project or Activity: Farmers Market  

                        Content or Curriculum: SRFMNP, WIC/Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Crop Diversification, CFA

                        Date: Spring & Summer 2022-2023


Project or Activity:  Youth Garden

                        Content or Curriculum: Youth Master Gardner Manual

                        Inputs: Agents Teacher

                        Date: Fall 2023 spring 

               Audience: 4-H


Project or Activity:  Country Hams

                        Content or Curriculum: Livestock Kit

                        Inputs: Agents

                        Date: Winter 2023


Project or Activity:  Ag Awarness Day

                        Content or Curriculum: Progressive AG

                        Inputs: Teachers and Volunteers

                        Date:  Spring 2023



Success Stories

Yaks Forages Study Is A Wrap

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Forages

Menifee County has been home to Yaks for 8 plus years.  Limited research has been conducted on the species in North America’s.  The Menifee County Extension Programs started doing research at Zhi-ba Shing-ga Yak Farm in Wellington, KY in 2019 with a Yak Garden.  In winter of 2021, a new research study began with the help of Dr. Jeff Lemkuhler.  The objective of this on-farm research was to evaluate the effect of hay type on growth rate of growing yaks. Forages evaluated

Full Story

FECRT

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Beef

According to a 2018 KVMA article the resistance of internal parasites to chemical products to control the parasites in the Beef Herd may be on the rise.  There has not been much change in the 3 classes of products that Beef Herds have to help with the control of internal parasites.  Also, in that same time there hasn’t been a study to see how these products are currently working inside the Beef animal.             In the spring of 2023 MERCK Ani

Full Story
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