Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture Production and Marketing
Improving Agriculture Sustainability
David Coffey, Hunter Carroll, Delaney Eubanks
Beef
Agriculture
Local Food Systems
Equine
Jackson County's agriculture industry continues to transition from a tobacco-dependent county. Tobacco has become one small fraction of the total farm income. This has led to a need for producers to consider other farm enterprises if the farm family economy is going to be sustained. Funding through the Phase I portion of the Tobacco Settlement has made an impact in helping producers transition into various farm enterprises. The Jackson County AG Development Council continues to provide funding opportunities that will be available to all farmers and farm families. Along with funding, educating producers in these new areas of production and marketing is essential for success.
Producers make creative use of all farm resources to maximize land use for agriculture production. There will be an expansion of agriculture production opportunities into new areas. Producers develop production and marketing skills for new farm enterprises.
Producers practice basic management techniques and learn to incorporate new ones. Producers make transition from tobacco into other agriculture enterprises. Grow quality produce and market locally and regionally as efforts are made to link local producers with local consumers.
Producers learn about innovative production practices and develop responsible and sustainable attitudes in agriculture enterprises Producers will become aware of new marketing opportunities for farm products.
Initial Outcome: Youth learn about all aspects of livestock
Indicator: Knowledge of livestock
Method: 4-H Livestock Club
Timeline: Year round
Intermediate Outcome: Youth learn how to sell livestock to consumers
Indicator: Number of animals sold
Method: Livestock record keeping
Timeline: Fall/Spring
Initial Outcome: Youth learn about different types of soil and drainage needed for specific crops.
Indicator: State 4-H Land Judging Contest Results
Method: Site Test
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Long-Term Outcome: Youth become highly knowledgeable in the adaptation of different soils.
Indicator: National 4-H Land Judging Contest
Method: Site Test
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Long-Term Outcome: Supplemental crop acreages and income opportunities will be available for local producers
Indicator: Increases in crops grown for newly-developed local markets will be noted.
Method: Crop acreage and number of producers participating will be increased.
Timeline: An annual assessment of each crop program will be made.
Audience: 4-H age youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Club kit materials
Inputs: 4-H Agent and Leaders
Date: Fall/Spring
Audience: High School youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Land Judging Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Land Judging Publication
Resources: Ky 4-H Foundation, and Jackson County FFA program/volunteers.
Inputs: 4-H agent and ANR Agent
Date: Summer/Fall
Audience: Beef Producers in Eastern KY
Project or Activity: WTA area Beef meetings
Content: Beef Demonstrations through WTA facility
Input: WTA agents, Extension Staff and UK specialists
Date: Throughout the Year
Audience: Equine Owners
Project or activity:WTA area equine meetings
Content: Hands on equine content
Input: WTA agents, Uk specialists
Date: fall and winter
Audience: Homesteaders
Project or activity:Homesteading Harmony Series
Content: Hands on homesteading lessons
Input: Breathitt and Jackson County Agents
Date: Throughout year (4 parts)
Audience: Producers of farm products, previously tobacco-dependent farmers, 4H’ers
Project or Activity: Continue to conduct all Phase I projects and expand existing activities with local Phase I Committee
Input: ANR Agent and AG Development Committee
Date: as-needed basis
Project or Activity: Education Programs for utilizing ECC
Input: ANR Agent and AG advisory Council
Date: Throughout the Year
Project or Activity: Winter meetings with area crop producers
Content or Curriculum: WTA ANR Agents and UK Specialists
Date: February
Project or Activity: Demonstrations and meetings in WTA area
Input: ANR Agent and UK Specialists
Date: Throughout the Year
Project or Activity: Expand Producers Base for Farmers’ Market
Input: ANR Agent and Extension staff
Date: Spring and Summer
Project or Activity: Jackson County Cattleman's Association
Content or Curriculum: Educational Meetings about grazing, reproduction, nutrition, and farm management ANR Publications from UK
Inputs: ANR Agent and Extension staff
Date: Spring and Summer
Project or Activity: Educational Programs
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association implementing programs that benefit all beef producers
Date: Quarterly Meetings
Project or Activity: Plant Distribution Program
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent, 4H agent
Date: Spring
Project or Activity: Conduct Grafting Workshop and Rootstock Distribution
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent
Date: March
Audience: 4-H Age Youth and adults
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Project
Inputs: 4-H Agent/Ag Agent
Date: Fall/Winter
Author: Hunter Carroll
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
On Saturday June 1, 2024 the Wolfe County Extension Office hosted a regional Small Ruminant Boot Camp for sheep and goat producers. Participants traveled from as far as Grant County on the North, as far south as McCreary County and as far Southeast as Knott County. Ms. Kelly Yates from the Sheep and Goat Producers Association coordinated the event with the Wolfe County Extension Office and Dr. Ken Andries presented the information. Sheep were provided by the Jackson County FFA, brought by Hunter
