Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Agriculture Production, Management, and Marketing Skills
Strengthening Agriculture Production, Management, and Marketing Skills
Traci Johnson, Kelly Woods
Beef
Equine
Forages
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Farms make up a little less than half of the land in Oldham County. Farms here include a wide variety of enterprises, including grain crops, livestock, horses, hay and pasture, nurseries, greenhouses, poultry, fish and shellfish. With growth of Farmers Markets and Community Supported Agriculture locations, there has also been growth in vegetable, sheep and poultry production over the last 10 years, according to the 2017 Ag Census. Data gathered in the 2019 Oldham County Assessment shows that county residents are concerned with the need for more farm-related jobs, more market opportunities for farmers and better sustainability of family farms. Residents also believe that there needs to be more awareness and support for agriculture and agribusinesses.
The Oldham County Extension Council and Ag Advisory Councils reviewed county needs and identified Agriculture Production, Business Management and Marketing as top priorities in educational programming. These skills are necessary for producers to be financially viable individually, and to support the county's economy. Production programs also meet the needs of many residents who desire to produce their own food.
Participants will experience long-term viability in farming.
Participants will reduce expenses and/or increase profits of farm operations.
Youth will become agriculturally literate.
Participants will implement recommended production practices to successfully produce food and agriculture products.
Participants will implement recommended forage management practices to increase utilization of forages and reduce dependency on purchased feeds and hay.
Participants will use information about local market opportunities to sell products.
Youth will utilize and practice life skills in agricultural projects, clubs, and life situations.
Participants will indicate understanding of research-based production practices.
Participants will recognize the importance of forage management practices.
Participants will have increased awareness of innovative marketing opportunities.
Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, critical thinking, and wise use of resources relating to agriculture.
Initial Outcome: Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, critical thinking, and wise use of resources relating to agriculture.
Indicator: Youth participate in an agriculture related project.
Method: 4-H Common Measure Experience Survey
Timeline: Following completion of programs
Initial Outcome: Participants will indicate understanding of research-based production practices. Participants will recognize the importance of forage management practices. Participants will have increased awareness of new marketing opportunities.
Indicator: Participants self-reporting
Method: Post-program evaluations (use UK provided evaluations when applicable)
Timeline: Following completion of programs
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will utilize and practice life skills in agricultural projects, clubs and life situations.
Indicator: Youth complete agriculture related project.
Method: 4-H Common Measure Experience Survey
Timeline: June 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will implement recommended production practices to successfully produce food and agriculture products. Participants will implement recommended forage management practices to increase utilization of forages and reduce dependency on purchased feeds and hay. Participants will use information about local market opportunities to sell products.
Indicator: Producers self-reporting
Method: Post-program evaluations (use UK provided evaluations when applicable)
Timeline: 3 – 9 months post-program
Long-term Outcome: Youth will become agriculturally literate.Indicator: Youth plan and implement an agricultural related project.
Method: 4-H Common Measure Experience Survey
Timeline: June 2024
Long-term Outcome: Producer participants will experience long-term viability in farming. Participants will reduce expenses and/or increase profits of farm operations.
Indicator: Producers self-reporting
Method: Post-program evaluations (use UK provided evaluations when applicable)
Timeline: 3 – 12 months post-program
Audience: 4-H Members age 9 to 18
Project or Activity: Horse Club Educational sessions
Content or Curriculum: Horse Educational Kit, Content identified by 4-H Club
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Certified Volunteers
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Audience: 4-H Members age 9 to 18
Project or Activity: Dog Club Educational sessions
Content or Curriculum: Dog Educational Kit, Content identified by 4-H Club
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Certified Volunteers
Date: July 2023- Jun 2024
Audience: 4-H Members age 9 to 18
Project or Activity: Poultry Club Educational sessions
Content or Curriculum: Poultry Educational Kit, Content identified by 4-H Club
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Volunteers
Date: July 2023- Jun 2024
Audience: 4-H Members Fourth Grade
Project or Activity: Chick Incubation
Content or Curriculum: Poultry Educational Kit
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Oldham County Schools
Date: July 2023- Jun 2024
Audience: Women Involved in Farming
Project or Activity: Women in Ag Club (May end up tagging on with local district KY Women In Ag Meet-Ups)
Content or Curriculum: Topics guided by participants; American Farmland Trust Learning Circle
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Local Kentucky Women in Ag representative, Farmers, UK Specialists
Date: July 2023 - June 2024
Audience: New/Beginning Farmers
Project or Activity: Tractor & Equipment Maintenance Workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension information; Equipment Dealers’ Materials
Inputs: UK Ag Engineering Specialists; Agriculture Agent, Local Farm or Business Shop
Date: November 2023 - January 2024
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattleman
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Master Cattleman Program
Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, Local ANR Agents
Date: Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Audience: Producers and Consumers; Beginning Farmers
Project or Activity: Oldham County Ag Connection (Agriculture Education for producers and consumers; concentration on local food, plus all Oldham County Agriculture Activity)
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Extension materials; Producer Stories; Ag Census Data; KY Department of Agriculture resources
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Local Producers, Local Experts/Guest Speakers
Date: Quarterly meetings beginning Fall 2023 (Pastures, Equine Industry, Taxes, Agency Resources)
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Oldham County Cattlemen's Association meetings - all meetings include educational speaker
Content or curriculum: UK Extension and other related agency information
Inputs: Agriculture Agents, UK Specialists, Farm Hosts, Other local experts
Date: Meets Quarterly 2023-2024
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality & Care Assurance Certification/Cattle Handling and Care Certification
Content or curriculum: UK Extension materials and videos
Inputs: Agriculture Agent
Date: November 2023
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training/Certification
Content or curriculum: UK Extension materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agent
Date: January 2024, February 2024, March 2024
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training
Content or curriculum: UK Extension materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agent
Date: March 2024
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Scale Certification
Content or curriculum: KY Dept of Agriculture Farmers Market Manual
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, KDA Scale Inspector
Date: March 2024
Author: Traci Johnson
Major Program: Beef
Educating local beef producers is a high priority in Oldham County. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, cattle ranked 3rd in Oldham County for market value of products sold, representing over 2.6 million dollars. Several Oldham County farmers are processing beef to sell locally, capitalizing on demand from Louisville and surrounding suburbs. Additionally, there are several seedstock beef operations in Oldham County. All these factors emphasize the need for beef producer
Author: Traci Johnson
Major Program: Forages
Educating cattle farmers is a high priority in Oldham County. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, cattle ranked 3rd in Oldham County for market value of products sold, representing over 2.6 million dollars. Oldham County beef producers include commercial operations, seedstock operations, plus several beef producers selling to customers in Louisville and surrounding suburbs. Good forage production and management are key in producing daily gains for animal growth and are
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
“4-H has significantly impacted and changed my life for the better. 4-H has enabled me to find my place in the world, build valuable relationships and connections, shaped my plans for the future and further developed my passions. Through 4-H, I’ve learned the importance of hard work and obtained strong values, morals, and essential life skills such as leadership, public speaking and communication skills. Furthermore, 4-H has opened doors to unique opportunities and experi
