McCracken County CES

Title:

McCracken County Commercial Agricultural Enterprises

MAP:

Agriculture and Natural Resources Education

Agents Involved:

Moffitt

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Integrated Pest Management

Situation:

Situation 1: Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future.

Situation 2: Consumers and Producers lack accurate knowledge in status of their soil nutrients and pH.

Situation 3:  Producers need information or production of forages.

Situation 4:  Producers lack accurate knowledge regarding integrated pest management principles (insect, weed, and disease identification, mitigation knowledge, and understanding thresholds).

Long-Term Outcomes:

• 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 consumers and producers implementing IPM practices
• Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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
• Implementation of on-farm trials

Initial Outcomes:

• Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
• Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
• Increase understanding of production regulations
• Understanding BioTech traits
• Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials
• 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
• Knowledge of UK Soil Test program

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production

Indicator: Number of producers reporting an understanding of IPM practices increase.

Method: survey, formative assessment

Timeline: ongoing

Intermediate Outcome: Adopt usage of new technology for crop production

Indicator: Producers report using at least one new use of technology in their operation.

Method: survey, formative assessment

Timeline: ongoing

Long-term Outcome: Maximize profits for commercial ag producer

Indicator: Number of producers report an increase in profit margin

Method: survey, formative assessment

Timeline: ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Home owners, farmers, Paducah/McCracken County Schools (non-commercial)

Project or Activity: “Cheaper than Dirt” program and soil test program, including soil testing coupons

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Demonstrations, Soil Analysis reports

Inputs: Agents, UK/KSU Specialists, Soil sampling coupons, soil sample analysis, UK/KSU publications, UK/KSU Specialists,UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals (agents, specialists, Publications Research Information, Diagnostic Centers, UK Weather Center Commodity Associations, (ex: Soybean Board, Corn Growers, Small Grain Growers),State and Federal Agencies(ex: KDA, NRCS, EPA), Ag Advisory Councils, Farmers/Producers

Date: Ongoing

Audience: residents

Project or Activity: Commodity Breakfast

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers, agents

Date: fall

Audience: Producers and landlords

Project or Activity: Lease Agreement program

Content or Curriculum: publications, lease agreements

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers, agents

Date: ongoing

Success Stories