Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing Agriculture Awareness and Profitability
Sustainability of Agriculture
Estes
Beef
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Horticulture, Commercial
There are over 75,000 farms in the state of Kentucky. Those farms produce a variety of agricultural related products. The top five agricultural commodities include broilers, other animal products, soybeans, corn and cattle (USDA ERS, 2020) Every person in Kentucky is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, work places and vehicles. People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. It is important to increase a young persons awareness of the impact agriculture has on their daily life. It is also important to help educate our farming community on up to date research based information so they can advance their farming practices.
· Youth and adults will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
· Youth and adults will adopt safe and profitable agricultural practices.
· Youth and adults will make informed decisions that will be increase profits and reduce expenses.
· Youth and adults will produce a high quality agriculture product.
- Youth and adults will improve and maintain agriculture practices
- Youth and adults will adopt safety practices on the farm
- Youth will practice life skills in agriculture projects and food production
- Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability
- Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
- Youth & adults will gain knowledge on researched based farming and horticulture practices
- Youth & adults will gain knowledge of farm health and safety practices.
- Youth will be introduced to careers in agriculture.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision- making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge in animal science and natural resources
Indicator: Number of youth participating in 4-H livestock and horse activities and natural resource projects
Method: Enrollment in projects and clubs
Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024
Intermediate Outcomes: Youth apply their knowledge and skills by competing in livestock and horse contest, forestry field day, and completing 4-H country ham project
Indicator: Number of youth earning top ten awards at local, district and state competitions
Method: Number of youth competing in competitions
Timeline: July 2023 -June 2024
Long-term Outcomes: Youth becoming owners of their own livestock/horse operation and/or adopting a career in the agriculture or conservation industry.
Indicator: Number of youth livestock owners and number of 4-H alumni who enter the workforce in the career field
Method: Word of mouth, observation, and survey
Timeline: On going
Initial Outcome: Gained knowledge in the areas of animal husbandry and production practices.
Indicator: Individuals state they gained knowledge and aspire to implement practices on their farm
Method: Post educational activity evaluation
Timeline: July 2023 – June 2024
Intermediate Outcomes: Individuals implement production practices learned during educational classes to increase profitability
Indicator: Number of practices adopted and implemented
Method: Post evaluations and follow up surveys
Timeline: July 2023 – June 2024
Long-term Outcomes: Farmers will be more profitable by applying learned marketing strategies and production practices
Indicator: Number of participants who adopt recommended practices and impact increased profitability
Method: Evaluations, follow up surveys and testimony
Timeline: On going
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: June 2022 to July 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum & Farm Safety Curriculum
Inputs: Hart County Fairgrounds
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Equine Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: July 2023 – June 2024Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horticulture Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: May & June 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Educational Trainings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: Fall 2023 – Spring 2024Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Educational Trainings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council
Date: Fall 2023 – Spring 2024
Audience: Adult
Project or Activity: BQCA Training
Content or Curriculum: KY Cattlemen BQCA
Inputs: Agriculture
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: UK Pesticide Training
Content or Curriculum: UK Pesticide Training Curriculum
Inputs: Agriculture
Date: Spring 2024
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The problemPumpkin production is on the increase in South Central Kentucky. The current demand of local grown agriculture products, and the booming agritourism industry have opened up a market for locally grown pumpkins. Pumpkins, as with all cucurbits, present unique challenges during the heat and humidity of Kentucky’s growing season. The weather related challenges and the lack of current production recommendations led W8 Agriculture Agents to bring this twilight pump
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Part of being an Extension agent that is often overlooked is recognizing natural born leaders in your county and getting them involved in the industry promoting agriculture. Recently, the Hart County Ag agent recognized the potential in a young producer in the fall of 2023 and encouraged him to participate in a speech contest promoting forages. After a long break from the days of public speaking in his high school FFA chapter, a young Hart County Beef and Forage producer decided to compete
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Beef
Cattle prices are currently near historic highs. Even with those high prices it is as important as ever to make wise decisions that affect your bottom line. A decision that is not as often thought about as intensive as it should be is heifer selection. To bring awareness to this the Hart County Ag and Natural Resource agent held a Heifer selection class on November 8, 2023. Fourteen producers attended the session representing over 300 head of cattle. UK Extension Be
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In today’s world, media outlets such as podcasts and social media are one of the best ways to reach clientele with educational resources and information. With these media sources you can be creative, flexible, and really accomplish your goals while reaching people that you may not normally reach with traditional marketing methods.With the growing demand for podcasts, agents from Allen, Monroe and Hart counties teamed up to present a new podcast to clientele called “Digging Up Ag Podc
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
The problemNo doubt that one positive result of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown was an increase interest in gardening and home food production. Many home owners planted fruit trees in an attempt to produce some high quality fresh fruit at home. West 8 Agriculture Agents have been getting requests for more programming on fruit tree care and pruning. The educational program responseIn February 2024 a fruit tree pruning workshop was held on the farm of the Dennison family
