Marshall County CES

Title:

Agriculture Advancement

MAP:

Workforce Preparation

Agents Involved:

NR

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Horticulture, Commercial

Situation:

Marshall County has a rich history of agriculture. Today, 44% of the land in Marshall County is still in farmland. (CEDIK) According to the Extension Community Needs Assessment, Marshall County residents believe that we need more sustainability of family farmers, more qualified employees for existing and new jobs, more youth life skills training (money management, life decision making, etc.) and better youth and adult career readiness. In order to help fulfill these needs, the Marshall County Extension Agent for ANR will prioritize the following in demand areas of Marshall County agriculture: 

1.) Forage and Livestock
Forages and livestock are vital to Marshall County's economy. As livestock margins tighten for these producers, management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in Marshall County. 

2.) Grain Crop Production
Grain production makes up over 17 million dollars of revenue for Marshall County yearly (CEDIK) but for the foreseeable future, grain crop production is facing a downward pressure from severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market.) Grain producers need unbiased information now more than ever. 

3.) Commercial Horticulture
The number of farms and acres being utilized for commercial horticulture operations continues to grow, according to the 2017 USDA Ag. Census. This is driven by consumer preference for affordable, local and fresh food. The current producers and new producers, of which the number of new producers is consistently increasing, need timely information to meet the demands of this ever changing industry.

Programming in the areas listed above will help meet the community's demands for more workforce preparation for both residents currently holding and those beginning careers in agriculture in Marshall County.

Sources:
https://cedik.ca.uky.edu/data_profiles/ag_and_food
https://extension.ca.uky.edu/files/marshall_extension_community_assessment_2019.pdf
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Kentucky/st21_1_0001_0001.pdf 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved farm economic status
Increased long term viability
Greater enjoyment of farming
Improved budgeting, record keeping, and marketing strategies
Increased production
Increased profit margin
Reduced Risk
Minimize negative environmental impact
Improve sustainability
Expansion of Operations
Implementation of best management practices
Increased pride in business and oneself

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopted Extension practices
Adopt new technology or try alternative/improved production methods
Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations
Utilization of diagnostic services (weed ID, forage testing, disease diagnostics, insect ID, etc.)
Implementation of on-farm research and demonstrations
Develop plans (grazing plans, Ag. Water quality plans, nutrient management plans, marketing plans, business plans, etc.)
Properly treat diseases and disorders
Improve Management Strategies
Establish new marketing outlets
Improve facilities
Utilize Government programs and Grants
Practice promoting commercial agriculture to public

Initial Outcomes:

Increased awareness of:
Extension resources and recommendations
Current land grant research
Diagnostic Services
Best Management Practices
IPM- Integrated Pest Management Practices
On-farm trials
Government programs and grants
How to promote commercial agriculture to the public

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Recognize the resources UK Extension has to offer. 

Indicator: Participation numbers and survey responses

Method: Surveys and Sign in Sheets

Timeline: Continuous

Intermediate Outcome: Increased number of producers utilizing Extension

Indicator: Number of tests submitted (soil ,diagnostic, forage, etc.), number of client questions, number of farm visits, etc. 

Method: Agent records for reporting

Timeline: Continuous

Long-term Outcome: Improved profitability of Marshall County Farmers 

Indicator: Farmer admits of having improved profitability due to Extension

Method: Communication with the farmers, surveys, etc. 

Timeline: Continuous

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Marshall County's "Agriculture List"

Project or Activity: Nikki's Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Timely updates and articles from the "inputs" below. 

Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, program area newsletters (i.e. Grain crops, Forage News, etc., KY Pest News, UK Agriculture Communications Specialist's articles, KDA- Kentucky Department of Ag., USDA- United States Department of Ag., NRCS- Natural Resources Conservation Service, NEP- Nutrition Education Program articles, etc. 

Date: Continuous 

Audience: Current and aspiring beef and forage producers

Project or Activity: Beef Meetings/Field Days/Farm Visits

Content or Curriculum: Master's Programs (Master Grazer, Cattleman, Stocker, marketer, etc.), BQCA-Beef Quality and Care Assurance, PVAP- Post-weaning Value Added Program , BVAP- Bull Value Assessment Program, Off the Hoof Newsletter, etc. 

Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, KY Cattleman's Association, Purchase Area Cattleman's Association, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.

Date: Adult Farmer Beef Series- Annual, Raising the Steaks Beef Meeting- Annual, others TBD

Audience: Current and aspiring livestock or forage/hay producers

Project or Activity: Forage Field Days/Workshops/Farm Visits

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Curriculum

Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, KY Forage and Grassland Council, Purchase Area Cattleman's Association, UK Forage News, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.

Date: TBD

Audience: Current and aspiring sheep and goat producers

Project or Activity: Small Ruminant Meetings/Field Days/Farm Visits

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU curriculum and resources

Inputs: UK specialists, agents and resources, KSU, and the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office

Date: TBD

Audience: Current and aspiring grain producers

Project or Activity: Grain Meetings/Field Days/Farm Visits

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU curriculum and resources, Pesticide Applicator Trainings, CCA- Certified Crop Advisor, Field Days/Walks, demonstration plots, etc. 

Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, Commodity Associations, UK Grain Newsletter, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.

Date: Winter Ag. Conference- Annual, Grain Growers Night Out- Annual and others are TBD

Audience: Current and aspiring commercial horticulturalists

Project or Activity: Commercial Horticulture Workshops/Field Days/Farm Visits

Content or Curriculum:  UK/KSU curriculum and resources

Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, Commodity Associations, UK Grain Newsletter, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.

Date:  TBD

Audience: Producers

Project or Activity: Research

Content or Curriculum: UK Research Reports

Inputs: Nursery Pest Research Trial, Tomato Early Blight Trial, etc. 

Date: Yearly

Audience: Facebook and other media outlet followers

Project or Activity: Social Media Posts

Content or Curriculum: Timely updates and articles from the sources below. 

Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, program area newsletters (i.e. Grain crops, Forage News, etc., KY Pest News, UK Agriculture Communications Specialist's articles, KDA, USDA, NEP articles, etc. 

Date: Continuous

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