Supporting Local AgriculturePlan of Work

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Menifee County CES

Title:
Supporting Local Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture
Agents Involved:
McCarty
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Situation:

The majority of Menifee County agriculture is produced on small farms. Over the last few years, the Menifee County Extension Office has contributed to improving access to local, healthy food by training and certification of farmers, gardeners, beef producers 4-Her, Homemakers, and food entrepreneurs. Food production can begin with washing produce, home baking, home canning, vaccinating livestock, and producing quality forages.  Consumers are at least 2 -3 generations removed from the farm.  Educating consumer and todays youth on were the food comes from is very important.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Attendees will increase the availability of fresh fruits vegetables, and meat to the community.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and food safety as well as obtaining certifications to sell direct to consumer and value-added products.  

Initial Outcomes:

Attendees will increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in beef production, forage practices, chemical usage, and marketing.

Evaluation:


Outcome:  Increased items at the farmers market.

Method:  Visual.

Timeline:  Summer 2023.


Outcome:  Increased Ag Sales.

Indicator:  USDA Statistics.

Method:  Research.

Timeline: Fall 2023.


Outcome:  Increased Ag knowledge.

Indicator: Survey Questions.

Method:  Survey.

Timeline:  Fall 2023.


Outcome: Increase Youth Knowledge in Agriculture.

Indicator: Survey Questions.

Method: Formal and Informal Survey.

Timeline: Spring 2024.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: YAK Farmer, Beef Producers

                       Project or Activity:  Hay Research, Semen Extender Research

                        Content or Curriculum: Weight Gain on different hays

                        Inputs: Agent, Farmer, and UK Specialist

                        Date :Fall Winter 2023-2024


                        Project or Activity:  Beef Producer Meetings

                        Content or Curriculum:  Hay Quality, Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Specialist 

                        Date: Quarterly Meetings

Audience: Farmers Market/Horticulture

                       Project or Activity: Farmers Market  

                        Content or Curriculum: SRFMNP, WIC/Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Crop Diversification, CFA

                        Date: Spring & Summer 2023-2024


Project or Activity:  Youth Garden

                        Content or Curriculum: Youth Master Gardner Manual

                        Inputs: Agents Teacher

                        Date: Fall 2024 spring 

               Audience: 4-H


Project or Activity:  Country Hams

                        Content or Curriculum: Livestock Kit

                        Inputs: Agents

                        Date: Winter 2024


Project or Activity:  Ag Awareness Day

                        Content or Curriculum: Progressive AG

                        Inputs: Teachers and Volunteers

                        Date:  Spring 2024



Success Stories

Small Farm Sustainability Project Gets Started

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Small Farm Management

According to the Lexington Herald, in 2022, more people moved to Kentucky than in any other year.  Many of these new residents moved into Menifee County.  Some of the new residents had a farming history, but many have moved from an urban lifestyle to a new rural one.  These residents are looking for ways for their farm to work for them.  Small farms and limited-acre farms bring different challenges to new residents.  Knowing where to begin and how to make all needed purc

Full Story

2nd Yak Conference is held

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Beef

The second yak conference was held on October 28, 2023, at Morehead State University. 48 tickets were claimed from the online registration site with 140 page views. Participants came from across the United States, and people traveled from Oregon, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, and Kentucky. The conference spanned 11 hours, providing information on general yak husbandry and updates from the Southern SARE-supported producer and on-farm research grant work. A post-program eval

Full Story
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