Extension
It Starts With Us
Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture practice
Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Owen Watkins and Susan Campbell
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Agriculture
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
The Anderson County Agriculture Economy has undergone significant changes in recent years. As a result farmers are seeking new opportunities to generate on farm income. Local leadership have identified a need to improve agriculture productivity and assist beginning farmers. Producers need to implement best management practices that will promote profitable operations while responsibly utilizing natural resources.
Agricultural producers use best management practices and at the same time sustaining the farm family competitiveness of their farm operation
Vegetable and Fruit producers will decrease the amount of chemicals used on farm.
Agricultural producers adopt and utilize technology and production practices in beef, dairy, crops, forages and horticulture.
Farmers minimize the cost of production while maximizing the competitiveness.
Youth can apply their knowledge of animal care and/or agriculture related endeavors
Vegetable and Fruit producers will apply IPM principles to their farming practice.
Agricultural producers gain skills in management of farming operations.
Youth understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to individual health and financial well-being
Initial Outcome: Livestock producers will increase efficiency through utilization of extended grazing, reduced feed costs, better reproductive management.
Indicator: Percentage increase in value added sales. Increased utilization of estrus synchronization products. Adoption of alternative forage systems such as summer annual forages, extended grazing and native warm season grasses.
Method: Surveys and evaluations of workshops, sales and programs
Timeline: Throughout Year
Intermediate Outcome:Producers will utilize the Anderson County Cooperative Extension Service to make research based decisions.
Indicator: Increased number of farmers and producers use the diagnostic services of the extension office.
Method: Keep records of the number of producers who use the diagnostic services at the extension service
Timeline: Throughout Year
Initial Outcome: Producers will develop more knowledge of marketing opportunities and learn to use risk management to protect their investments
Indicator: Number of producers reporting change and new knowledge
Method: Face-to-face interviews.
Timeline: Throughout the year
Long-Term Outcome: Farmers implement practices learned in Master Series Programming
Indicator: Practices adopted to improve farm profitability
Method: Surveys, oral feedback and on-farm demonstrations
Timeline: All year
Audience: 4-H Livestock Club members; 4-H Horse Club members
Project or Activity: Livestock and Horse club meetings and competitions
Content or Curriculum: 4-H project materials
Inputs: Club meetings, competitions, training, field days
Method: Judging competitions, oral reasons, quiz and other events
Date: Sept. - August.
Audience: Local farmers, beef producers, Cattleman's Association
Project or Activity: Farmers will be made aware of opportunities available through the Ky Beef Network throughout the year
Content or Curriculum: Research based approved publications
Inputs: Publications, UK agriculture specialists, guest speakers
Date: All year
Audience: Anderson County Residents
Project or Activity: Diagnostic Services included but limited to soil samples, plant diseases and identification, insect identification, manure and water samples, livestock feed testing, hay testing
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Resources
Inputs: ANR agent, UK Extension Specialists, Diagnostic Labs and Resources
Date: Throughout Year
Audience: Anderson County Residents
Project or Activity: Classes & Programs
Content or Curriculum: UK and other Land Grant institutions
Inputs: ANR , UK Extension Specialists,
Date: Throughout the Year
Author: Owen Watkins
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Anderson County has had over a dozen farm accidents that resulted in serious injury or death over the last 50 years. Farming accidents have become an unfortunate part of the culture here; imbedding themselves and their painful memories into the tightly woven fabric of this community. The fog these accidents have left over the heads of the people here is as dense as any that rise up out of the rivers that water the crops and cattle, and darker than any. It is a problem that has persisted too long
