Increasing Farm Profitability- NEWPlan of Work

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Pulaski County CES

Title:
Increasing Farm Profitability- NEW
MAP:
Sustainable Farms and Home Landscapes
Agents Involved:
Adkins, Wilson, Spurgeon
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Situation:

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Pulaski County has a strong commercial horticulture industry. We have several green industry businesses as well as a very healthy number commercial growers of fruits, vegetables and processed products. 

Beef and hay are two major agricultural products for Pulaski County. Pulaski County ranks 2nd in the state for both.

One farmers' market serves the consumers of this area. Pulaski Co is also very near two produce auctions.

Emerging issues pop up in any industry and agriculture and horticulture are no different. Profitability is maximized when crops are produced successfully and marketed equally successfully.

Marketing is key. Produce growers do not make a dime growing a product, only selling it. More markets need to be explored, especially with kids and our school systems.

Th Pulaski County livestock industry is heavily concentrated by cattle and calve operations which generates 85% of all animals sales while crop production is dominated by soybean at 33% and corn at 34% of all crops sales (CEDIK, 2015). To support these commodity groups attention to, livestock, forage, and grain systems is important to ensure ideal outcomes for producers. 

In addition to production agricultural, focus on small business management is critical for the success of farmers. According to the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (2008) it is projected that by 2028 70% of all U.S. farmland will change hands. Of further concern, according to the the USDA Census of Agriculture for decades the average age of farmers has steadily increased and the 2012 census indicated that  57.6 is the average age of principle farm operators in Kentucky. It is crucial for farms and small family businesses to be exposed to succession planning in order to prevent loss of businesses and  farming operations within Pulaski County.   

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science. 

Indicator: speeches, showing of animals

Method: evaluation, surveys, common measures

Timeline: year round

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will be able to explain the role agriculture in daily life and will be to use skills learned towards agriculture projects

Indicator: projects completed, show of understanding during lessons

Method: Common measures survey, observation

Timeline: year round, school year (Sept- May)

Long-term Outcome:  Youth will advocate for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production, will make well informed decisions regarding agriculture and will overall become more literate in agriculture

Indicator: increased involvement in local Ag community (4-H clubs, etc)

Method: observation, common measures survey

Timeline: year round


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: youth

Project or Activity: Country Ham project

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video

Inputs: agents, volunteers, specialists, bluegrass stockyards, UK meats lab

Date: spring-summer-fall (MLK Day-State Fair- Show & Sale)


Audience:4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: Beef, sheep, goat, swine, poultry 4-H resources

Inputs: livestock volunteers, UK specialists, local ag businesses (KNS, Ard Ridge Cattle Company, etc.)

Date: spring-fall


Audience: Youth- in schools

Project or Activity: various lessons in Ag

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adeventure, KY Ag in the Classroom, 

Inputs: agent, teachers

Date: September- May (school year)


Audience: Cattle Producers 

Project or Activity: Pulaski County Cattleman's Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Summer, Fall, Spring


Audience: Cattle Producers 

Project or Activity: BQA Trainings

Content or Curriculum: BQA Materials

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Quarterly 


Audience: Forage Producers 

Project or Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics 

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Summer, Fall, Spring


Audience: All Producers, Small Family Businesses

Project or Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics 

Inputs: Farm Credit, Industry Professionals 

Date: Winter


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: CAIP Training

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Fall

Audience: Commercial growers

Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training, Home-based Microprocessor Trainings

Content or Curriculum: GAP curriculum and 3rd party audits

Inputs: KDA specialists, powerpoints

Date: winter 2023-24


Audience: Commercial growers

Project or Activity: Farmers' markets meetings, Senior Farmers Market nutrition program training

Content or Curriculum: updates from KDA personnel

Inputs: KDA specialists, powerpoints

Date: mainly winter but throughout the year


Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: info booth at farmers' markets

Content or Curriculum: UK publications & recipes

Inputs: Plate It Up Recipe cards, food

Date: during farmers' market season


Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: Local foods program

Content or Curriculum: UK publications & recipes

Inputs: Lexington Local Food coordinator or other local food specialist

Date: Prior to growing season



Success Stories

Tractor and Small Engine Club

Author: Erica Spurgeon

Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology

Tractor and Small Engine Club

Pulaski County 4-H introduced a new club to the county in October of 2022. Tractor and Small Engine Club started as a partnership between a local sponsor, Valley Farm Equipment, and our county 4-H program. Valley Farm Equipment has always been willing to lend a hand to sponsor programs or to teach lawn mower and tractor safety during Safety Day events. An employee of Valley Farm Equipment, who is also a 4-H parent, stepped up to volunteer as the club leader. The goal for this club is to prepare

Full Story

Living on a Few Acres

Author: Erica Spurgeon

Major Program: Small Farm Management

The Living on a Few Acres Farm Conference brought together 52 participants from five different counties across Kentucky, fostering an exchange of knowledge and ideas on sustainable farming practices. UK Cooperative Extension Agents from Pulaski, McCreary, Russell, and Casey counties organized and led a series of classes that delved into various aspects of small-scale agriculture, including soils management, beekeeping, vegetable gardening, poultry, rabbits for meat production, small ruminant car

Full Story

City to Farm Tour

Author: Erica Spurgeon

Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources

The 2023 City to Farm Tour was held on September 19th, 2023 with well over 70 local business leaders and Pulaski County Chamber members in attendance. Extension has partnered with the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce to plan the bi-annual event now for the past 12 years. The event is to help educate our community about the changes that have occurred in agriculture over the past decade. This behind-the-scenes look at local agriculture granted community leaders the opportunity to meet t

Full Story
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