Sustainable and Profitable AgriculturePlan of Work

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Jessamine County CES

Title:
Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture
MAP:
Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Steve Musen, Karli Giles, Cathy Weaver
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Farm Diversification
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Situation:

Due to declining world-wide demand for tobacco products, tobacco sales have fallen from a high of over 60%, to a current value of 22% of the total value of agriculture crops sold in Jessamine County. House Bill 611 and the implementation of the Governor’s Office of Ag. Policy’s (GOAP) Agriculture Development Fund and the County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) has allowed for the allocation over $3.1 million, over a 16-year period. These funds have been used to assist in the restructuring of Jessamine County Agriculture, helping to alleviate financial challenges caused by the loss of tobacco income and diversify the agriculture production base.

Much of Jessamine County contains rolling topography which is best suited to the production of livestock and forages.  With 62,414 acres in pastureland and 29,012 acres in forage production (69.3% of total cropland), Jessamine County has the potential of supporting more than the current 20,500 total head of cattle (beef and dairy) with improved pasture efficiency through more careful management and intensive grazing. Growing Forages for livestock grazing and hay production is one of Jessamine County’s most important agronomic enterprises. The Bluegrass Region, with its deep, fertile soils and gently rolling hillsides, is uniquely suited to producing some of the fastest racehorses and most productive livestock operations in the world.

Beef cattle still plays a major role, generating the majority of farm income in the county. Farmers here are also looking at alternative enterprises to generate income. Hemp has generated a tremendous amount of interest along with goats, sheep, fruit and flower production. There are also a number of small vegetable producers and several organizations working with community based gardens. Land prices still remain one of the most limiting factors for individuals wanting to get in to production agriculture. Farm land in this community goes from a low of around $4,000/acre to well over $10,000/acre. If there is a high level of development potential, land prices are near $30,000/acre.

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

Long-Term Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will be profitable, safe and sustainable.

•    Youth will be agriculturally literate.

•    Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services. 

•    Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production



Intermediate Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will begin to implement strategies to ensure that their enterprises are profitable, safe and sustainable.

•    Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.

•    Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations. 


Initial Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will attend various training opportunities to gain the skills and knowledge to ensure their operations are profitable, safe and sustainable.

•    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. 

•    Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems. 

•    Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.


Evaluation:


Long-Term Outcome:


Intermediate Outcome:


Initial Outcome:

Outcome to be Evaluated

Indicator of Success for Outcome

Method of Evaluation

Learning Opportunities:

* Project or Activity: BQCA Certification Training

Project or Activity: Jessamine County Beekeepers Monthly Educational Meetings

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Certifications Training

Project or Activity: Ag Financial Planning and Marketing

Project or Activity: Forage Production Training

Project or Activity: Educational Farm Tour

Project or Activity: Winter Feeding Strategies

Project or Activity: Producer Best Practice - Food Safety Training

Project or Activity: Equine Forage and Facilities Expo

Project or Activity: Pastures Please!

Project or Activity: Kentucky Beef Conference

Project or Activity: Kentucky Stocker Conference

Project or Activity: Ag Lenders Conference

Project or Activity: Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Project or Activity: Hemp Production Update


4-H Livestock Program

4-H Horse Program

4-H Country Ham Program

4-H Horticulture Program

4-H Rabbit Program

4-H Dog Program



Success Stories

2023 Jessamine County Farm Tour Highlights Diversity and Vitality of Jessamine County Agriculture

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Members of the Jessamine County Extension Agriculture Advisory Council has identified the need to conduct and Agriculture Tour of Jessamine County to highlight the diversity and vitality of Jessamine County Agriculture. Plans for the proposed Agriculture Tour were presented to the Jessamine County Farm bureau Bord, who voted to contribute $1,700 to help cover the cost of bus transportation, and to Central Kentucky Ag. Credit, who offered to cover the cost of participants' lunch. On Sept

Full Story

Central Kentucky Hay Contest Encourages High Quality Hay Production

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Forages

Understanding a producer’s forage quality is the backbone of providing a balanced nutrition plan.  Hay testing can provide data that producers and Cooperative Extension Agents use to ensure the nutritional needs of the animal are being met. Without a test, farmers are blindly feeding leading to wasted resources.  The Central Kentucky Hay Contest was created to generate friendly competition among producers and educate producers about forage test analysis and the economic impact of

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County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) Cost-Share Program Continues to Help Expand and Diversify Agriculture in Jessamine County

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The Kentucky Ag. Development Fund,s County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) cost-share program has been used to assist in the restructuring of Jessamine County Agriculture, helping to alleviate financial challenges caused by the loss of tobacco income and diversify the agriculture production base.The nine members of the Jessamine County Agriculture Development Board, in cooperation with the Jessamine County Extension ANR Agent, have worked hard to maximize the use of the KADF cost-share funds to ac

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Jessamine County Farm to Table Dinner Contunues to Highlight Local Food Systems

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The recognition of the benefits of locally grown foods in terms of superior flavor, food safety and availability of heritage vegetable varieties has caused the popularity of Farmers Markets to steadily increase, especially in urban and sub-urban areas. Jessamine County enjoys two vibrant and growing Farmers Markets, the long-running Wilmore Market and the Nicholasville Farmers Market. The two Farmers Markets are filling a growing demand for locally-grown, health and nutritious vegetable, fruit,

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2023 UK Beef Bash a "Vision of the Future"

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Beef

Beef Bash 2023 was held Thursday, September 21st at the C. Oran Little Research Center The theme of Beef Bash 2023 was “Vision of the Future”. The goal was to create an event illustrating the tremendous work done in the beef industry in Kentucky creating a vision of the future of the beef industry. The format was redesigned to accentuate all the work being done in Kentucky to improve the sustainability of the beef industry. We will have rotations featuring current research from UK an

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