Menifee County CES

Title:

Supporting Local Agriculture

MAP:

Agriculture

Agents Involved:

McCarty

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture

Situation:

The majority of Menifee County agriculture is produced on small farms. Over the last few years, the Menifee County Extension Office has improved access to local, healthy food by training and certification of farmers, gardeners, beef producers 4-Her, Homemakers, and food entrepreneurs. Food production can begin with washing produce, home baking, home canning, vaccinating livestock, and producing quality forages.  Consumers are at least 2 -3 generations removed from the farm.  Educating consumers and today's youth on where the food comes from is very important.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Attendees will increase the availability of fresh fruits vegetables, and meat to the community.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and food safety as well as obtaining certifications to sell direct to consumer and value-added products.  

Initial Outcomes:

Attendees will increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in beef production, forage practices, chemical usage, and marketing.

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Increased items at the farmers market.

Method:  Visual.

Timeline:  Summer 2024.

Outcome:  Increased Ag Sales.

Indicator:  USDA Statistics.

Method:  Research.

Timeline:  Spring 2025.

Outcome:  Increased knowledge through the Small Farm Sustainability Project.

Indicator: Increase in applications and questions.

Method:  Phone calls and projects.

Timeline: Spring 2025.

Outcome: Increase Youth Knowledge in Agriculture.

Indicator: Survey Questions.

Method: Formal and Informal Survey.

Timeline: Spring 2025.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: YAK Farmer, Beef Producers

                       Project or Activity:  Hay Research, Semen Extender Research

                        Content or Curriculum: Weight Gain on different hays

                        Inputs: Agent, Farmer, and UK Specialist

                        Date :Fall Winter 2024-2025

                        Project or Activity:  Beef Producer Meetings

                        Content or Curriculum:  Hay Quality, Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Specialist 

                        Date: Quarterly Meetings

Audience: Farmers Market/Horticulture

                       Project or Activity: Farmers Market  

                        Content or Curriculum: SRFMNP, WIC/Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Crop Diversification, CFA

                        Date: Spring & Summer 2024-2025

Project or Activity:  Youth Garden

                        Content or Curriculum: Youth Master Gardner Manual

                        Inputs: Agents Teacher

                        Date: Fall 2024 spring 

               Audience: 4-H

Project or Activity:  Country Hams and 4-H Livestock Club, 4-H Horse

                        Content or Curriculum: Livestock Kit

                        Inputs: Agents

                        Date: Summer 2024 - Spring 2025

Project or Activity:  Small Farm Sustainability Project

                        Content or Curriculum: Chosen Projects on application

                        Inputs: Farmers and Grant Funds

                        Date:  Summer 2024-Spring 2025