Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Adair County's Agriculture Industry
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Nick Roy
Beef
Ag Marketing
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Grain Crops
In Adair County, crops and livestock generate nearly 50 million dollars into the local economy each year. Adair County ranks 10th in Kentucky in the number of beef cows and 2nd in dairy cattle. Crops generate 25% of agriculture cash receipts and crop acreage has increased by 30% since 2010.
The Adair County Agriculture Advisory council developed a list of concerns which pose the greatest risk to Adair County's Agriculture Industry. From that list, the council has assisted the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service develop the following plan of work to address those concerns.
Wise use of cover crops and animal waste nutrients will lead to improved soil fertility, soil health, and reduced soil erosion therefore reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.
The next generation of farmers in Adair County will be well prepared to take over and continue the success of one of the largest industries in Adair County.
Improved forage management practices will lead to increased profitability and sustainability of Adair County Beef producers.
Through improved marketing, farmers will become more profitable by opening up new markets for their crops.
Farmers will adapt the use of cover crops to increase soil health and decrease soil erosion.
Livestock farmers will develop nutrient management plans to ensure efficient use of animal waste.
Adair County youth and young farmers will participate in educational and leadership programs
Farmers will identify new marketing options for their products.
Livestock Farmers will increase their forage resources through improved management practices.
Farmers will learn develop strategies for best utilizing animal waste products.
Farmers will learn how to utilize cover crops in crop rotation.
Adair County young farmers and youth will develop networks to encourage growth and development.
Farmers will learn about marketing techniques, avenues, and options for their products.
Livestock producers will learn and develop best practices for forage management.
Intermediate Outcome: Increased Use of Cover Crops
Indicator: Acres in cover crops
Method: Survey
Timeline: September 2017-May 2018
Long Term Outcome: Improved Soil Fertility Management
Indicator: Soil Testing
Method: UK Soil Data
Timeline: September 2017-May 2018
Initial Outcome: Youth & Young Farmers Participation
Indicator: Number of youth & young farmers networking
Method: Survey
Timeline: September 2017-May 2018
Intermediate Outcome: Improved Marketing of Farm Products
Indicator: Market Reports, new markets created, sale bills.
Method: producer survey
Timeline: September 2017-May 2018
Intermediate Outcome: Improved forage Management
Indicator: Forage yields and grazing days
Method: surveys
Timeline: September 2017-May 2018
Audience: Burley Growers
Activity: Center of KY Tobacco Meeting/GAP
Content or Curriculum: GAP, KY Tobacco Guide
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date: Winter 2018
Audience: Dairy Producers
Activity: Center of Kentucky Dairy Short course/Center of KY Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Well being
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date: Winter 2017-18
Activity: DHIA Testing
Audience: Dairy Producers
Content or Curriculum: Production Record Keeping
Inputs: DHIA testers
Date: July 2017- June 2018
Activity: Adair County Cattlemen’s Meetings
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: Enterprise improvement through genetics, health, and pre-conditioning.
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2017- June 2018Activity: Adair County Junior Cattlemen Association
Audience: Youth Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: 4H Livestock curriculum
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2017- June 2018
Activity: Adair County Feeder Cattle Program
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: Feeder Calf Protocol
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2017- June 2018
Activity: Center of KY Beef Conference
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: July 2018
Activity: Women’s Cattle Management Program
Audience: Cattle Producers
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2018
Activity: Commercial Vegetable Production Seminars
Audience: Hort Growers
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2018Activity: Organic Conference
Audience: Organic Growers
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists
Inputs: Agent & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2018
Activity: Forage Testing
Audience: Forage Producers
Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: Dairy One Forage Lab
Date: July 2017- June 2018
Audience: Beef
Activity: Pasture Walk
Content or Curriculum: Selected by participants
Inputs: Agent & Specialists
Date: Fall 2018
Audience: Horticulture Producers
Activity: Farmer’s Market
Content or Curriculum: Marketing
Inputs: Agents & Volunteers
Date: Summer 2018
Audience: Horticulture Producers/Home hort
Activity: Garden Shortcourse/Garden Club Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener publications
Inputs: Agents & Volunteers
Date: Winter 2016
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Fertilizer Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: July 2017- June 2018
Activity: Adair County Grain Field Day/Center of KY Grain Crops Meeting
Audience: Grain Producers
Content or Curriculum: Fertility, Plant Population, Weed Control
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteer Farm, Sponsors
Date: Summer 2017/Winter 2018
Activity: Animal Waste Nutrient Testing
Content or Curriculum: AGR-1
Inputs; UK Regulatory Services
Date: July 2017- June 2018
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Phase I Cost Share Programs
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Input: Cattleman’s Association, Agents, & Staff
Date: July 2017- June 2018Audience: Youth Farmers
Activity: CAIP for Youth
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications/GOAP
Input: Cattleman’s Association, Agents, & Staff
Date: July 2017- June 2018
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Pesticide Certification
Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program
Input: Agents, UK Publications
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Animal Science/Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum
Date: September 2017-May 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum and Trained Volunteers and
Specialist
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Parents, Specialist, Community Leaders, Office Staff
Date: September 2017-May 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Gardening Program
Curriculum: Approved 4-H Curriculum and Gardening related publications
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: January-August 2018
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Beef
In Adair County, cattle make up the largest sector of the agriculture industry. Ranking 13th in the state, Adair County is the home of 42,000 cows and calves according to 2016 national ag statistics. In the fall of 2017, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service offered a series of three beef management workshops focusing on the care of the growing calf. Session discussions including early life calf health, weaning practices, and quality and care assurance. &nb
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Small Ruminants
In Adair County, roughly one third of the farms are made up of less than 50 acres of land (USDA NASS). While this size of farm may not be very suitable for grain crops and cattle, farms of this size can support small livestock such as sheep and goat. Additionally, through improvements made in marketing options and market prices, sheep and goat are a viable option for many small farms.In 2018, the Adair, Green, and Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated to offer the Center of Ke
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Farm Management
According to the 2012 Ag. Census, the Adair County agriculture industry produced over $53 million dollars in products. While production had increased by $6 million since 2007, the number of farm operators had decreased by 12.7%. Upon further inspection of the data, female operators were found to have decreased at a rate of 30.5% compared to males at only 10.7%. In response, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Columbia USDA Service Center to offer a Wo
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Beef
In Adair County, cattle operations make up 765 of the total 1243 farms. Overall, 8% of those farms are defined as having a female principal operator and 39% are defined as having a female operator involved with the farm. (USDA Census 2012). These statistics are just one example of evidence of the important role women play in agriculture. Educational efforts targeting women in agriculture is just one more method the Cooperative Extension Service improves communities within
