Local Foods and Small FarmsPlan of Work

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Calloway County CES

Title:
Local Foods and Small Farms
MAP:
Production Agriculture
Agents Involved:
M. Chadwick
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Small Ruminants
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Poultry
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:
Local food continues to be in demand from consumers, restaurants, retail outlets and institutions (including schools). However, there is a disconnection between the production, processing, marketing and distribution segments of the local food system, especially for small and minority farmers. With sales from Kentucky food products expected to increase from $14 million (2014) to $24 million in 2020, Extension has resources to educate agricultural producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning, and marketing strategies to expand the local food system for the demand, while also being good steward of the land and water.
Long-Term Outcomes:
-Increase in the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, or community supported agriculture
-Increase access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets, school and other institutions
-Maintain or increase consumer confidence/ demand in local foods
-Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations.
Intermediate Outcomes:
-Applied Extension Resources for Planning and Decision Making
-Develop an Ag Plan using decision making tools ( i.e. cost efficiency)
-Create a budget and/or marketing plan
-Diversify the types and varieties of produce grow and sold
-Apply best management practices in marketing (i.e. pricing)
-Apply food safety practices and/or procedures

-Earn certification(s) for:
-Redeeming USDA script (i.e. WIC or Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program)
-Selling and /or providing samples at farmer’s markets
-Home Based Microprocessing
-Microprocessing
-Better Processing Control School
-USDA GAP

-Created and marketed safe food products
-Apply food safety practices
-Create value added agricultural food items
-Market agricultural products locally
Initial Outcomes:
-Review types and varieties of produce
-Locate crop profiles, decision tools and resources
-Describe advantages and disadvantages of marketing strategies (i.e. CSA, U-Pick, Farm to School, freezer beef)
-Interpret food safety handling procedures
-Understand procedures for safe food processing
-Interpret purchasing rules and regulations from contract buyers
-Research liability issues related to food safety
-Identify production methods and agricultural food products that extend the growing season (i.e. high tunnels, hydroponics)
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Describe advantages and disadvantages of marketing strategies (i.e. CSA, U-Pick, Farm to School, freezer beef)
Indicator: Development of marketing plans
Method: One on one conversations
Timeline: 2016-2017

Intermediate Outcome: Earn certification
Indicator: Increased amount of request for certification classes/programs
Method: Request count comparison over time
Timeline: 2017-2018

Long-term Outcome:Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations
Indicator: Local producers reinvest in farm operations overtime
Method: One on one conversation
Timeline: 2018-2020
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Small scale vegetable growers, freezer meat producers, general public,

Project or Activity: Small Farms Series

Content or Curriculum: Various Tracks (Vegetable crop production, Bees, small ruminents, etc.)

Inputs:UK and KSU faculty, professional staff, publications, and research information,Center for Crop Diversification, Food Systems Innovation System, State and federal agencies (KDA, Health and Family Services/Public Health) Commodity, grower and farm market associations UK Weather Center

Date: 2017-2018


Audience: Vegetable producers

Project or Activity:Vegetable GAP and Sampling certificate training

Content or Curriculum: GAP and Sampling guideline

Inputs: :UK and KSU faculty, professional staff, publications, and research information,

Date:Spring 2018


Audience: Farmers Market Shoppers and Vendors

Project or Activity: Educational Booth

Content or Curriculum: information about the local shopping, in season produce, and recipes

Inputs:UK and KSU faculty, professional staff, publications, and research information,

Date: Monthly During Market Season 2016-2020



Audience: Producers, Farm Managers, Certified Crop Advisors, Private Agronomist, County Agents, Ag Retailers, Farm Workers, Industry Reps. General Public, Point of Sale Employees

Project or Activity: Quarterly Newsletter, Monthly Newspaper Articles

Content or Curriculum: Timely Information

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research information, State and Federal Organizations

Date: 2017-2018


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Success Stories

Small Farms Series

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping

Small Farms Series

This season Calloway County Extension office has offered a new series of classes centered around increasing viability and overall profitability of a small scale farm. Classes were offered in the areas of meat bird production, small flock laying hens, truck patch vegetable gardening, small ruminant management, vegetable crop management, and rearing chicks in fall. The last class of the series will be held on December 14th and will discuss marketing your product. This series has been very well rec

Full Story

Bee Club

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping

Bee Club

After being approached by a local bee keeper this past fall who was excited about sharing his knowledge of bees, I helped them to develop a new 4-H and adult club that focuses on educating families on bee keeping. This new group has met monthly since August and has continued to grow with each meeting. The combination of adults and youth in one meeting has allowed our volunteer to reach a wide range of our community. The group has made plans to build their own hive to place at the houses of the f

Full Story
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