Improving Agricultural IncomePlan of Work

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Garrard County CES

Title:
Improving Agricultural Income
MAP:
Agriculture Production, Diversity, and Marketing
Agents Involved:
Hettmansperger, Hixson, Comley
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Tobacco
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beef
Situation:
Garrard County farmers have experienced a large decline in their dependence upon tobacco as their main income source. Farmers have increased their beef cow herds to try and make up the short fall. Fertilizer and fuel prices continue to stay high and farmers need to become more efficient in forage and feed production. They will explore non-traditional ways of farming to remain profitable. Through surveys and conversations with farmers,they have put an importance on new forage and beef production methods. Youth livestock programs can teach young farmers best management practices and give them the chance to continue the family farm.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Farmers will become more efficient and profitable through adopting new methods learned from Extension programs. More youth will return to the family farm.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Farmers will become better forage producers and will look at alternatives to traditional ways of feeding their livestock. They will become better marketers by utilizing CPH-45 calf sales and other forms of value added marketing. Grain producers will chose yield increasing hybrids from test plots. Youth will choose careers in agriculture.
Initial Outcomes:
Farmers will use new and improved varieties of forages to increase production. Beef producers will adopt new practices such as rotational grazing and controlled calving seasons to increase production. Farmers will utilize new marketing strategies for their calves through CPH-45 and direct marketing.
Youth will increase their knowledge of new farming practices and choose careers in Agriculture.
Evaluation:

Outcome: Farmer adoption of new practices
Indicator: Personal contacts and surveys. Youth choosing Ag careers.
Method: Farm visits and observations. Monitor participation in educational meetings and special Extension programs.
Timeline: Throughout the year and do surveys during winter farmer meetings


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Garrard County Farmers and other interested parties. 4-H, FFA and other youth.
Activity: Phase – 1 Educational programs (all year)
BQA, Hay storage, Fencing
Private Applicators Pesticide Certification (winter)
Applying Pesticides Correctly (Spring)
CPH-45 calf sales (fall, winter, spring)
Garrard Co. Cattleman’s Assoc. Meetings (fall and winter)
Economic Update, Beef and Forage Production (Winter)
Soil Testing (all year)
4-H Livestock Club meetings (monthly)
Extension material
ANR Programs through 4-H School programs (fall-spring)
ANR projects
Work with local Commodity Groups (All Year)
Fall Field Day
Forage improvement, Beef production techniques (Spring & Summer)
Farmers Market Development (Spring – Summer)
Commercial Vegetable Update (Winter)
Tobacco Cutting Contest (fall)
Gardening Programs for Housing Authority (spring)
Joint programing with KSU
ANR programs at the High School Ag Department (School year)
Extension specialist and Agents






Success Stories

Master Cattleman

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Beef

Beef cattle remains one of the top agriculture commodities in our region but input prices and markets present challenges for producers. County ANR agents in Boyle, Garrard, Mercer and Lincoln counties teamed up to offer the Master Cattlemen program, an intense 10 session look at all aspects of beef cattle production. Agents worked with specialists to offer the program rotating each session throughout the area and as a result saw an increased number of producers participating in the program. Thir

Full Story

Nucience Animal Control and Fur Handling

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

Garrard County is very diversified in the area of animal agriculture and the kinds of species that are raised in the county.  Garrard County is well known for it’s beef production, but there are also several sheep, goat, llama and alpaca producers.  All these producers have one thing in common, they worry about predators killing newborn offspring. Producers take care of their livestock all year long to produce offspring and hopefully be able to market these animals so the produce

Full Story

Kentucky Beef Conference

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Beef

The Kentucky Beef Conference has been held in Lexington, Ky for several years. Over 200 beef producers converge on the Fayette County Extension Office every December to here what is happening in the beef industry that will affect their bottom line.  University of Kentucky specialist present programs and information that producers can take home and make their operations more profitable. A representative from Cattle Fax presents where the industry is headed in the next year.  Producers u

Full Story
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