Extension
It Starts With Us
Forages, Crops, and Horticulture
Strengthening Agriculture through Crop and Forage Enhancement and Horticulture Diversification
Samantha Saunders, ANR/4-H Agent
Forages
Soil testing
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Hay testing
People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production – these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations. With the rolling topography of the farms in Robertson County, cropland is a premium. Producers are utilizing cropland for tobacco, hay, grain, and hemp. Rotations are hard to implement based on limitations of suitable cropland. Therefore, inputs such as soil test, annual lime and fertilization, high yielding and disease resistant varieties, and proper crop and forage management are of utmost importance. Producers who are educated and implementing sound growing techniques will increase their on farm production. Additionally, local farmers and home owners are diversifying into horticulture endeavors. We have a few folks involved in the local Farmer’s Market as well as several who sell directly from home. No matter what agriculture endeavors are being done; it is vital that environmentally sound practices are being conducted to protect our natural resources and that land and management decisions are made based on practice understandings. Robertson County is a very rural community. Thus, many young family members will inevitably become stewards of the land. For this reason, among many others, it is important that educational opportunities are provided to youth to increase their knowledge of environmental and soil management practices. The Ag Development Board, County Extension Council, Ag Council, 4-H Council, FFA, Robertson County School, and County Extension agents contributed in developing these objectives.
•Producers will implement sound management techniques on their farms and see higher yields in their crops and forages, thus, increasing profit when products are marketed and increasing on farm produced feed.
•Youth will apply land management strategies on their land or family owned and operated land as they are old enough to assume responsibilities. They will be able to apply the knowledge they gained from 4-H land judging.
•Youth will be able to determine ecosystems and work towards protecting those for years to come.
•By following appropriate land strategies, individuals will demonstrate their appreciation for the importance of natural resources and our obligation to be good stewards of the land.
•Adults and youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
•Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
•Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
•Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
•Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices
•Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
•Increase number of local producers selling at the Farmer’s Market, in order to encourage local support.
•Adults and youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources.
•Adults and youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
•Adults and youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skill and apply them to environmental issues.
•Land owners and operators will understand the important role they serve in being good stewards of the land and will use sound, recommended management techniques when working the soil, in growing crops, and managing forages.
•Based on knowledge they receive through educational programs and demonstrations, producers will implement new ideas or improve existing techniques in their farming or horticulture enterprises.
•Youth will be able to identify different horticulture techniques and determine different fruits and vegetables.
•Youth will be able to identify pollinators and properly demonstrate the importance of flowers and bees in honey production.
•Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
•Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
•Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
•Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
•Ag Water Quality
•Nutrient Management
•Implement Ag Water Quality Plans
•Adopt conservation practices appropriate to farming operation
•Maintain records of practice implementation
•Maintain records of nutrient applications
•Adopt appropriate manure handling practices
•Maintain vegetative buffers along water bodies
•Adopt appropriate fallen livestock disposal practices
•Adults and youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies
•Youth will gain knowledge of the interrelationship and interdependencies with an ecosystem.
•Adults and youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
•Producers have a renewed understanding of crop and forage concepts.
•Youth will become involved in 4-H land judging because of their interest in learning about the land and competing in competitions.
•Youth will be able to recognize natural resources and identify their importance.
•Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
•Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
•Increase understanding of production regulations
•Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production
•Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
•Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
•Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
•Understand importance of clean water
•Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
•Recognize best management practices for soil conservation
•Identify best management practices for nutrient management
•Identify the different ways to garden in all spaces throughout the county.
Initial Outcome: Interest in increasing knowledge and skills/ youth actively participating in meetings
Indicator: Attendance at meetings, field days, etc.
Method: Attendance compared to previous events
Timeline: During and immediately after events
Intermediate Outcome: Management changes toward crops and forages/participation in state 4-H land judging competition
Indicator: Implementation of learned skills/ participation and success in competition
Method: Personal conversation/ observation
Timeline: 2-4 weeks after start of program
Long-term Outcome: Increased yields on crops and forages/ application of contest knowledge in real world settings
Indicator: compared to previous year yields/ decisions based from land judging criteria
Method: Personal conversation
Timeline: 2024-2025
Audience: Local land and farm owners
Project or Activity: Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: Specialists Training and Expertise
Inputs: Ag extension agent, UK Extension Specialists, Farm Managers
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Local land and farm owners
Project or Activity: Media
Content or Curriculum: Social Media, Newspaper, Newsletter
Inputs: Ag extension agent, UK Extension Specialists
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Local land and farm owners
Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: Training Videos
Inputs: Ag extension agent, UK Extension Specialists
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Local land and farm owners
Project or Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Ag extension agent, soil probe and equipment, UK Regulatory Services Lab, lime spreader
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Local land and farm owners
Project or Activity: Hay Testing
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Ag extension agent, hay probe and equipment
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Local land and farm owners
Project or Activity: Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Forage, crop, and other focus sessions
Inputs: local farm, local producers, agriculture agent, University specialists and other experts
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Horticulture Homeowners and Producers
Project or Activity: Field Day & Classes
Content or Curriculum: Horticulture topics
Inputs: local farm, local producers, agriculture agent, University specialists and other experts
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Local land and farm owners
Project or Activity: Ag Development Meeting/Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Natural Resources & Crops
Inputs: Ag agent, local producers, University specialists and other experts, County Ag Development Board, Conservation Board, Ag retailers
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: 4th Graders
Project or Activity: Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: Soil Conservation, Pond Study, Animal Habitat, birds of prey, Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0, Kentucky Water Awareness Month (celebrated in May)
Inputs: youth, 4-H agent, NRCS, volunteers, state specialists, teachers
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Youth ages 9-12
Project or Activity: Plant Camp/ANR Camp
Content or Curriculum: Learn, Grow, Eat, Go, KY Teach Ag, Farm to Table, Seek (app)
Inputs: Youth, 4-H Agents, local farmers (orchards, farmer’s markets, etc.), Blue Licks State Park, natural resource parks in the state
Date: Summer 2025
