Shelby County CES

Title:

Agricultural Production 1

MAP:

Production, Marketing & Profitability

Agents Involved:

Corinne Belton, Regina Browning, Candice Hollingsworth

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Tobacco

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Beekeeping

Situation:

While Kentucky's population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the Commonwealth. Shelby Countians are faced with maintaining a balance between industrial development, community growth and preserving the rural landscape. In order to increase sustainability and profitability, producers must take advantage of local markets as well as our close proximity to the large population centers of Lexington and Louisville. Diversification of agriculture operations is key to long-term viability. Producers must engage in practices that ensure the preservation and availability of natural resources for future generations.

Grain crop production is facing downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future. Extension educational programs are targeted to provide Kentucky crop producers with the tools necessary to remain sustainable through this bearish market.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.

*Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life-skill development through 4-H.

*Youth will be advocates for agriculture and health and sustainable food systems.

*Long term viability

*Producers save money by making informed selection decisions

*Maximize profits for commercial ag producer

*Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

*Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems

*Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals

*Minimize use of pesticides affecting the bee populations

*Improve sustainability of intensively managed tobacco production systems

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animals sciences.

*Youth will adopt and practice skills that apply to employability

*Youth can explain the role of agriculture to others in their daily lives.

*Youth will set a goal and accomplish it

*Youth can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.

*Test forage for nutritional quality

*Implement a managed grazing system

*Utilize alternative forages

*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

*Adopt new technology and management procedures for tobacco production

Initial Outcomes:

*Youth will gain knowledge and skills and knowledge in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animals sciences.

*Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.

*Youth will develop valuable life skills including decision making, communications, record keeping, leadership and service.

*Interpret forage analyses, feed and mineral bag tabs and to balance rations.

*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 herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests

*Gain knowledge of beekeeping and tools to succeed in honey production

*Awareness of current land grant research concerning tobacco production

*Identification of IPM practices for tobacco production

*Increase understanding of production regulations

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth and adults increase KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices

Indicator: Increased KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices

Method: Post-training evaluations, observation

Timeline: Annually

Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults implement production management practices such as: evaluation, variety selection, forage improvement, marketing, reproduction and nutrition.

Indicator: Improved management practices in evaluation, variety selection, forage improvement, marketing, reproduction and nutrition

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Yearly

Long-term Outcome: Increased agriculture production and profitability

Indicator: Higher production and increased profits

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Year-to-year over the next decade

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers Transitioning from Tobacco

Project or Activity: CAIP Grant Program

Content or Curriculum: Cost-share program/project publications, educational sessions for producers

Inputs: GOAP publications, UK publications, agents, CAIP administrator

Date: Year-round

Audience: Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Shelby County Beekeepers Association

Content or Curriculum: State Beekeeper, KSU Beekeeping pubs

Inputs: Local beekeepers, KSU pubs

Date: Monthly

Audience: Community Members, Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Basic Beekeeping Classes, Field Days, and Use of Honey Extraction Equipment

Content or Curriculum: State Beekeeper, KSU Beekeeping pubs

Inputs: Local beekeepers, KSU pubs

Date: Spring-Fall Yearly 

Audience: Tobacco Farmers

Project or Activity: Tobacco Production Update and GAP Training

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists, GAPConnections employees, USDA, GAP materials

Inputs: UK Specialists, GAPconnections employees, USDA, GAP materials

Date: January 2025

Audience: 4-H School Clubs

Project or Activity: Windowsill Gardens

Content or Curriculum: Windowsill Garden curriculum

Inputs: Agents, staff, windowsill garden materials

Date: April 2025

Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Hay Production Seminar

Content or Curriculum: UK/KDA Publications

Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents and KDA

Date: Spring 2025

Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Grain Production Update

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents 

Date: Winter 2025

Updated 5/5/2023

Success Stories