Extension
It Starts With Us
Marketing & Profitability
Sustainable Agriculture
Jessica Barnes, Jessica Wells, Shannon Farrell, Shelley Meyer
Beef
Grains
Horticulture, Commercial
Agriculture is in a transitional phase and burley tobacco production has continued to diminish in Harrison County with Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco production increasing over the past few years. However, agriculture production and agri-business remain to be a viable economic opportunity for those who choose to be involved. Therefore, new options and opportunities need to be developed. Proper production practices are important. The need to adopt new and improved methods becomes essential.
Ag Development funds have provided more marketing opportunities in the county. Agri-business opportunities are being developed such as vegetables, new technology, and proper production practices. The farms in Harrison County are small with limited income. Farmers and spouses are now working in off-farm jobs for family income and benefits. Farmers are aging so the need for additional labor is essential.
- Much of the good production land will be converted to corn, soybeans, hay production, solar panels and horticulture crops.
- A renewed interest in beef cattle has been created by the high demand for production of our cow/calf herds.
- Producers and families will find ways to develop new and better products.
- Ideas will be stimulated on ways to market products more efficiently and utilize new technology.
- Apply for and use Ag Development funds.
- Individuals will attend demonstrations and meetings.
- Individuals will begin implementing new technology practices.
Initial Outcome: Number of people adopting new and improved techniques.
Indicator: Returning and new participants, new endeavors started
Method: Observation, personal visits, income increased, verbal comments, increased participation
Timeline: All year
Intermediate Outcome: Number of people selling new products and number adapting to change
Indicator: Returning new participants, new endeavors started. Growth in CPH sales and Farmer's Market participation. Increase of youth livestock participants
Method: Income realized, verbal comments, observation, personal visits, and increased participation.
Timeline: All year
Long-term Outcome: Number of participants in production agriculture has stayed the same or increased, with a greater diversity of production types.
Indicator: Returning and new participants, new endeavors started
Method: Observation, personal visits, increased participation in educational opportunities available
Timeline: All year
Audience: Local Farmers
Project or Activity: Ag Development Funds
Content or Curriculum: Replication of programs for all producers
Inputs: Ag Development Funds for CAIP and YAIP
Date: All Year
Audience: Community members, producers
Project or Activity: Farmer's Market
Content or Curriculum: Merchandising Skills Development, New Sales Facility Improved, Recruiting New Members.
Inputs: Farmer's Market Members
Date: May through October
Audience: Local farmers, community members
Project or Activity: Transitioning crops to grain program
Content or Curriculum: Developing new crops, marketing and added income
Inputs: Local Farmers
Date: All Year
Audience: Local farmers and producers
Project or Activity: Economic Update
Content or Curriculum: Develop marketing strategies
Inputs: University of Kentucky Ag Econ staff
Date: Winter
Audience: Local farmers and producers
Project or Activity: Equipment Rental
Content or Curriculum: Use of improved equipment: 3 livestock headgates, chute and electronic scales, 2 Great Plains and 4 Haybuster No-Till seeders, 2 Vegetable Plastic Layers, Water Wheel Setter and Plastic Lifter, 4 sets of Livestock Panels, and 2 pull type boomless sprayers, lime spreader, 2 chain drags, and Brillion seeder.
Inputs: Harrison County Beef Cattle Association
Date: All Year
Audience: Local farmers and producers
Project or Activity: Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and training to help farmers gain knowledge.
Inputs: University of Kentucky Extension Specialists, volunteers, Harrison County Beef Cattle Association, soil conservation, HC Farm Bureau, FSA
Date: Fall
Audience: Community, producers
Project or Activity: Transition crops (vegetable, flowers, horticulture crops)
Content or Curriculum: Demonstration for adoption of new crops
Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension Agents, Farmer's Market Members
Date: All Year
Audience: Local farmers, producers, contractors, and homeowners
Project or Activity: Soil Tests
Content or Curriculum: Prepare testing, proper nutrient needs and saving money by proper application.
Inputs: paid staff, UK regulatory services
Date: All Year
Audience: Tobacco Farmers
Project or Activity: Tobacco Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Update new techniques and chemicals
Inputs: Extension Specialists and Agents
Date: Jan to March
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Judging Groups; Livestock, Land, and Livestock Skillathon Teams
Content or Curriculum: Marketing, production, public speaking and communications, selection and decision making, livestock certification kit, local producers and services, 4-H animal science curriculum.
Inputs: 4-H volunteers, agents
Date: All Year
Audience: 4-H members, community members
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Production, food preservation, marketing, communication, livestock certification kit, UK Extension Specialists
Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, paid staff
Date: January to August
Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Education, promotion, marketing, production, economics, Livestock certification kit, local businesses / producers, UK Specialist resources
Inputs: UK Specialists, volunteers, 4-H Agent
Date: All Year
Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Education, promotion, marketing, production, economics, Horse certification kit, local businesses / producers, UK Specialist resources
Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, 4-H Agent
Date: All Year
Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Livestock Shows
Content or Curriculum: Selection, ethics, production, marketing, livestock certification kit, competitions, judging/selection, showing professionals
Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, KDA, Harrison County Fairboard
Date: All Year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Inc.
Content or Curriculum: Youth participate in a multi-county, hands-on reality simulation where they learn about financial planning, income, expenses, and budgets.
Inputs: Agents and members from ag industry from Harrison and neighboring counties, FFA Advisors
Date: Fall
Author: Jessica Hopkins
Major Program: Local Food System Development and Mapping
The problemOver the last few years, the Harrison County Extension ANR, Horticulture, and FCS Agents have noticed an increase in individuals with an interest in homesteading. The agents are more frequently receiving phone calls and questions related to how to grow and process their own food. Due to this, the agents decided to offer a Homesteading Series in 2023. The series was very successful and there were suggestions to continue it, so the series was offered again in 2024, wit
Author: Jessica Barnes
Major Program: Beef
Harrison County has a large number of cattle producers with more and more young and/ or new producers coming on board. This is due in part to a lot of our larger farms selling into smaller farms as well as many new faces moving into our county from other states. Several of them have never had cattle before or are wanting to expand their current operations by adding cattle. With this surge in newer producers, we thought offering the Master Cattleman program would be very beneficial to our produce
