Improve and sustain agriculture productionPlan of Work

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Harlan County CES

Title:
Improve and sustain agriculture production
MAP:
Agriculture Production and Sustainablity
Agents Involved:
Lora Davidson, Raymond Cox, Jeremy Williams
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beef
Situation:
During discussions with the Harlan County Extension Council, program councils, and volunteer groups, agriculture management was seen as an issue that needs to be addressed. Although the county's commercial agriculture production ranks low, home gardening, landscaping, home fruit production, honey, forestry, and livestock production are still a source of livelihood income for citizens.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Adults and youth will initiate fruit and vegetable production and livestock management practices in order to provide a low cost food source and possible supplementation of income. Citizens will also see economic diversity as a result of being involved and developing agriculture products.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Adults and youth will apply recommended agriculture management practices to their gardens, orchards, beeyards, woodlands, and livestock operations.
Initial Outcomes:
Adults and youth will gain knowledge in gardening and fruit production as it refers to site selection, soil preparation, variety selection, nutrient needs, disease and insect controls, and proper harvesting in order to receive the best products. Adults will gain knowledge in apiary management and assist other beekeepers. Youth and adults will acquire skills in livestock management. They will be able to use best management practices in their operations.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Gain knowledge in agriculture production and management
Indicator: Begin to see improvements in their operations
Method: Attendance at workshops, reports, visits
Timeline: Throughout year

Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth will gain knowledge of agriculture production
Indicator: Adults and youth will apply the knowledge they have learned
Method: Participate in workshops, 4-H events, site visits, reports
Timeline: Throughout year

Long-term Outcome: Adults and youth will gain knowledge in agriculture production and management
Indicator: Improvement will be made in their landscapes, orchards, beeyards and livestock production
Method: Number of adults and youth attending workshops and participating in agriculture management activities
Timeline: Throughout year
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: Adult
Project or Activity: Garden planning, season extension gardening, organic gardening, food preservation, livestock production
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, presentations
Inputs: Staff, UK Specialists, leaders, volunteers
Date: Throughout year

Audience: K-6
Project or Activity: Windowsill Garden/Grow Your Own Tomatoes
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Staff, teachers
Date: Spring

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Harlan County Beekeepers
Content or Curriculum: Education events, programs, publications
Inputs: Staff, leaders, guest speakers
Date: Throughout year

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Home Fruit Production
Content or Curriculum: Presentations, hands-on, publications
Inputs: Staff, UK Specialists, volunteers
Date: Spring

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Chick Incubation
Content or Curriculum: Presentations, hands-on, publications
Inputs: Staff, teachers, volunteers
Date: Spring

Audience: 4th-12th grade
Project or Activity: 4H Garden Club
Content or Curriculum: Gardening booklets, publications
Inputs: Staff, volunteers
Date: Spring




Success Stories

Farmers Market Success

Author: Jeremy Williams

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

After being without a consistent farmers market for several years, 2017 brought about a new venue for Harlan Countians to sell and purchase fresh produce, crafts, and prepared foods.  With the recent economic situation, as well as an increase in health awareness, a local famer suggested the creation of the market.  The farmer contacted the Extension Office, Pine Mountain Settlement School and Harlan Tourism and asked them to play a role in creating a farmers market.  These groups

Full Story

Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference

Author: Jeremy Williams

Major Program: Beef

Although cattle numbers may be small in Harlan County, producers still need educational opportunities to improve their herds.  Therefore, the Harlan County Cooperative Extension Service joined efforts with Knox and Bell Counties in Kentucky, three counties in Virginia and three counties in Tennessee to create the Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference.  The third annual Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference brought together specialists from the University of Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Uni

Full Story

Maple Syrup Production

Author: Jeremy Williams

Major Program: Woodland Education

Harlan County and other eastern Kentucky counties have experienced devastating economic loss over the past decade.  Residents are looking for new opportunities to use their resources (in this case, maple trees) and improve the economy for themselves and the region.  The Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents in Harlan, Letcher, and Lawrence Counties in Kentucky and Wise County, VA have worked closely with the University of Kentucky Forestry Specialists to conduct demonstrations,

Full Story

Growing Growers Series

Author: Jeremy Williams

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

Members of the Harlan County Agriculture Advancement council saw the need for more information and education opportunities for producer growers in the county.  The Harlan County Extension Service along with the Harlan County Farmers Market and Pine Mountain Settlement School worked together to design a curriculum to better equip gardeners with information and conduct a five month long series of produce production workshops, at two locations, along with a Produce Best Practices Training

Full Story
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