Nelson County CES

Title:

Crop and Livestock Management and Marketing

MAP:

Agriculture Advancement and Sustainability

Agents Involved:

Smith, Fries

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Grain Crops

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farm Management

Situation:

Nelson County is a much diversified agriculture county. The 2012 Census of agriculture indicates Nelson County ranks 7th in all hay, 28th in tobacco, 17th in wheat, 24th in soybeans, 26th in corn, 7th in swine, 16th in dairy, 15th in beef and 9th in all cattle and calves. The county ranks 26th in overall cash receipts for agriculture products. The total value of Agriculture products sold was just under $64.5 million. Of that total $34.3 million came from crops while $30.1 million came from livestock. These are historical numbers in that this is the first time in at least 30 years that we received more for crops than livestock.

Surveys of 4 farm groups and ag representatives of the County Extension Council indicate that a lack of local markets both for crops and livestock put Nelson County farmers at a competitive disadvantage. That along with an aging farm owner population makes agriculture production quite uncertain. The nationwide economic downturn has actually been good for agriculture in Nelson County. Land prices dropped initially back to agriculture sustainable prices instead of development prices. As the economy rebounds development will again put pressure on land prices. These pressures along with across the board lower commodity prices will take it's toll on sustainability in our county.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers to attain a level of net income sustainability that provides a comfortable standard of living for their families, through a more efficient level of production management and marketing.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farm cooperatives will adopt improved production management and marketing techniques in the areas of crops and livestock so that production is increased economically, or that costs are reduced without sacrificing production.

4-H Youth will use knowledge obtained from judging and skillathon events to purchase, raise, groom, and exhibit their animals.

As a result of participation in the 4-H Embryology Project youth will demonstrate responsibility and appreciation for living things.

4-H Volunteers will apply the knowledge they acquire through the 4-H Livestock Volunteer Certification Process and continuing education to educate and mentor youth 4-Hers involved in Livestock projects.

High school youth will tour various agriculture production operations and participate in interactive learning stations that focus on production, marketing and sustainability, including but not limited to the country ham project.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers will gain knowledge in recommended practices for production and marketing and will aspire to implement the in their farming operation to improve profitability.
4-H & High School Youth will:
- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
- Increase their understanding of the development of living things.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased profitability, practices implemented and knowledge gained in crop and livestock operations.
Indicator: The number of individuals who increase knowledge and awareness in the topic presented and aspire to implement the practice changes in their operation. The number of practices implemented, and amount of increased profitability will also be measured.
Method: Post session evaluations, Personal contact and observation, Follow-up surveys.
Timeline: Post session evaluating, six months for the follow-up and continuous for observation and personal contact.

Initial Outcome: 4-H & High School Youth will:
- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
Indicator: The number of youth completing a livestock project or participating in 4-H livestock events.
Method:. Observation during Livestock events
Timeline: During Fair and Show Season

Initial Outcome:. Youth will demonstrate responsibility and appreciation for living things.
Indicator: The successful completion of a 4-H Embryology project in the classroom.
Method:. Teacher questionnaires
Timeline: 1 week after the chicks leave the classroom

Intermediate Outcome:Youth will understand and be able to demonstrate the complete Market to Market process of purchasing, curing and marketing a country ham.
Indicator:Presentation of a county and/or state fair speech or demonstration.
Method: Certified livestock volunteer lead workshops and classes.
Timeline:7 months after initial curing process.

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP Training
Content or Curriculum: Supplied by Tobacco GAP Connections
Inputs: Meeting Announcement Letters and Agent Time
Date: February 2017

Audience: Nelson County Producers
Project or Activity:: County agriculture Investment Fund educational activities
Content or Curriculum: BQA,Cattle Handling Certification and various other educational meetings as needed.
Inputs: Agent Time, Meeting announcement letters
Date: October, December, January

Audience: Youth Livestock participants
Project or Activity: Preview and District Beef Show
Content or Curriculum:: KDA State Guidelines
Inputs: Agent Time and Fairgrounds
Date: April And May Annually

Audience: Master Cattleman Graduates
Project or Activity: Applied Master Cattleman Class
Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM Applied MC Curriculum
Inputs: Agent time, transportation, meeting room, etc.
Dates: 2018

Audience: 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Certification program
Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Livestock Curriculum and Client Protection Policies
Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding
Date: As needed

Audience: Pre-school Youth, 4-H Enrichment Groups and Adult Active Day participants
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology in the Classroom
Content or Curriculum: UK Poultry Resources and Florida Poultry videos, hatching with my Peeps Calendars
Inputs: Agent and Classroom educator Time , funding, incubators and other program supplies, eggs, training
Date: Spring

Audience: 4-H Ham Club Participants
Project or Activity: 4-H Market to Market Ham Club
Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum and Enrichment
Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding
Date: Fall to Summer

Success Stories