Lewis County CES

Title:

Crop and Livestock Production

MAP:

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Kennedy Perkins, 4-H Agent, Christa O'Cull

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Food Preparation and Preservation

Situation:

Lewis County is home to 676 farms operating on 117,955 acres with the average farm size being 174 acres. The County Extension Council and the Agriculture Advisory Committee identified crop and livestock production as major components of Lewis County agriculture production. To increase profits it is important for farms to be efficient and increase yield as well as diversify. Youth need to recognize the impact that agriculture has on our daily lives as well as agriculture in the commonwealth.  It is also important that farm families are able to save money and add value to their products and utilize food preservation techniques that allow them to do that.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Profits will be sustained during tough economic times and increased during strong markets.  Producers will get a premium price for their products.

• Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
• Lewis Countians will be able to market/sell locally produced garden products that have been safely preserved.
• Youth and adults will be agriculturally literate and make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.  

• Increase and maintain accessibility of local produced foods including the amount and variety of locally grown and or processed foods.
• Producers save money, reduce expenses, improve animal welfare, have healthier herds, reduce antibiotic use, and improve marketing opportunities through educational programming. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth and farmers will improve cow/calf operations by using better genetics, improved feed efficiencies, record keeping, and animal health.
• Youth and adults will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food in the areas of animal science.
• Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
• Lewis Countians will safely preserve fresh, locally grown food products.
• Farmers will adopt usage of new technology, use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease, and weeds.
• Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations.
• Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and safety.
• Earn certification to distribute or sell raw and processed foods.

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and sustainable food systems in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
• Youth will learn valuable skills including decision making, record-keeping and leadership skills.
• Identification of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and understanding of production regulations.
• Recognize required food safety practices and describe proper food safety handling and processing.
• Increase knowledge of budgeting, record keeping, marketing strategies and economic risk.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Knowledge and skills will be gained in the area of food production.

Method: Self Reporting and Project books

Timeline: Fall 2024 to Fall 2025

Initial Outcome: Producers will increase knowledge on herd management, animal handling and welfare, and early recognition of calving problems and corrective measures.

Indicator: Farmers will become BQCA certified

Method: BQCA test

Timeline:  Fall 2024- Spring 2054

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Youth will turn in record books and be able to offer reasons during showmanship.

Method: Observation

Timeline: Fall 2024-2025

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Lewis Countians learn to safely preserve fresh, local food products.

Method:  Observation

Timeline:  Spring 2025

Initial Outcome:

Indicator:  Lewis County Cattleman participant will learn herd health, nutrition, and facilities management.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Fall 2024

Initial Outcome:

Indicator:  6th Graders will learn about the role of agriculture during Youth Field Day.

Method: Self reported through survey

Timeline: Fall 2024

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator:  There are fewer disqualified preserved items at the county fair due to improper techniques used.

Method: County fair entry data

Timeline: Summers

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Profits are sustained or increased during tough economic times.

Method: Agent interviews and number of farms are maintained in the county.

Timeline: Winter 2025

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:  Profits are obtained by selling canned goods at the Farmers Market and other eligible venues.

Method:  Self reporting and observation

Timeline:  Seasonally

Long-term Outcome:  Farmers implement new technologies.

Indicator: Farmers adopt the usage of new technologies and fertility management recommendations.

Method:  Testimonials and Observation 

Timeline: Summer 2024- Fall 2025

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Women Farm Managers

Project or Activity: Farm School for Women

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum and USDA

Inputs: Ag. Agent time, USDA office time, local farm businesses

Date: Fall 2024

Audience: Youth Livestock participants

Project or Activity: Livestock Projects, feeder calf, hogs, lambs, and goats

Content or Curriculum: 4-H approved core curriculum for livestock

Inputs: 4-H curriculum, club leader volunteer, volunteer time, 4-H agent time, program assistant time, ag. agent time.

Date: Summer 2024-Summer 2025

Audience: Lewis County 6th graders

Project or Activity: Farm to Plate youth field day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Kit and curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent time, Ag. Agent time, FCS Agent time, Program Assistant Time, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Greenup County Farm Bureau, RIP's Farm Center, Lewis County FFA, Local farmers, Livestock project participants.

Date:Yearly

Audience:  Lewis County Citizens

Project or Activity:  Food Preservation workshop and Micro-processing workshop

Content or Curriculum:  Extension Food Preservation curriculum

Inputs:  FCS Agent time, UK Specialist, Preservation equipment and supplies, UK curriculum, Ag Agent time

Date: Yearly

Audience:  Lewis County Farmers

Project or Activity:  County Field Day

Content or Curriculum: UK current research on Agriculture production

Inputs: Extension Agents, UK specialist, Local Farm, Advisory Councils, UK curriculum, RIP's Farm Center, Rose Farm Supply, Southern States Cooperative, Ag Pro Supply, WW Industries

Date: Fall 2024

Audience:  Lewis County Beef Producers

Project or Activity:  Buffalo Trace Beef Management Series

Content or Curriculum:  UK current research on beef production

Inputs:  UK Specialist and Ag. Agent

Date:  Yearly in the fall

Success Stories