Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
Agriculture Advancement
David Davis, Heather Cassill, Shannon Farrell, Clay Stamm, FCS
Beef
Commercial Horticulture
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for largest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. Sales of agriculture crops and livestock in Clark County exceed $32.4 million. There are more than 900 farms in Clark County with farm size averaging 164 acres. Commercial Horticulture, Agri-tourism, beekeeping, and equine are growing farming industries in the county. With recent legislative developments industrial hemp production is emerging as a crop of importance. In addition to the educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of traditional Clark County agricultural production (corn, soybeans, livestock, and forages), leaders in the agricultural community have identified educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of industrial hemp and other new opportunistic crops.
Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops
Increase in revenues for farm families
Increase number of new younger farmers into the agriculture industry.
Greater diversification of farming operations..
Individuals will engage in entreprenuerial enterprises.
Individuals will gain and maintain employment thru lifeskill development.
Individuals will be advecates for agriculture, healthy and sustainable food systems.
Investment in the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques
Adoption of best mangement production practices
Individuals will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Individuals can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Individuals can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities.
Gained knowlege of agricultural production
Gained knowlege of the most up to date production practices
Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Individuals will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
Initial Outcome: Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Indicator: Increased knowledge and continued practice of agriculture production.
Method: Post Survey of Program/Project
Timeline: Completion of project/program
Initial Outcome: Youth will use and apply the skills gained from Livestock programs, demonstrate and share new abilities related to livestock with others, and practice the principals of livestock production
Indicator: Continued involvement in the livestock program
Method: Post Survey of Program
Timeline: Annually
Initial Outcome: Produers will learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities
Indicator: Program Particpation/Supporting Survey Response
Method: Post Survey
Timeline: Each event
Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowlege of up to date production practices
Indicator: Program Participation/Supporting Survey Response
Method: Post Survey
Timeline: Each Event
Intermediate Outcome: Producer Investment into the the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques
Indicator: Dollars Invested
Method: NASS, CAIP Producer Reports, Agricultural Statistics
Timeline: Annually, Biannually, 10 yrs
Intermediate Outcome: Adoption of best management production practices
Indicator: Changed Production Practices
Method: Survey
Timeline: Annually
Long-term Outcome: Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops
Indicator: Agricultural Business creation/expansion, Increased farm income
Method: Census of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Survey
Timeline: Once every 10 years, AnnuallyI
Audience: 5-18 yr old youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Livestock Club, 4H Dog, 4H Chick Incubation, 4H Poultry Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders
Date: 2018-19
Audience: 4-H Age Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders
Date: 2018-19
Audience: 4-H Age Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Extension Facilities
Date: 2018-19
Audience: 3rd Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Day
Content or Curriculum: Industry Speakers, Ag Literacy Education Materials, 4-H Core Content
Inputs: Extension Staff, Industry Speakers, Gilkison Farm
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen/Master Marketer
Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen Curriculum
Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension staff, Agricultural Leaders, Community Sponsors
Date: Spring/Fall 2018, Spring/Fall 2019
Audience: Clark County Residents
Project or Activity: Winter School
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Updates
Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Publications, Extension Staff, Clark Ag Advisory Council, Community Sponsors
Date: January/February 2019
Audience: Clark County Residents
Project or Activity: Gardening Classes
Content or Curriculum: Gardening Topics
Inputs: UK Publications, Extension Staff, Master Gardener Volunteers, Community Partners
Date: Spring/Summer 2018
Audience: Farmers/Farm Families
Project or Activity: Clark County Extension Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Demonstrations
Inputs: Producer Volunteer(s), UK Specialists, Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Extension Staff,
Date: July 2018, Summer 2018
Audience: Farmers/Farm Families
Project or Activity: Production Update Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Ongoing agricultural issues/updates
Inputs: Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Collaborative Agricultural Groups (Clark County Cattlemen, C.C. Farm Bureau, etc.), UK Specialists, Extension Staff, other Agri-businesses and agricultural professionals
Date: As needed
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Beekeepers Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping
Inputs: UK Specialist, KY State Apiarist, Specialists, Ag leaders
Date: Third Monday of each Month
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Beef
During the late spring of 2018 the Clark County Ag Advisory Council met to discuss past meetings, new membership, and upcoming ANR programing for the year. It was during this meeting that members of the council had the idea to restructure the way annual Clark County Extension Summer Field Day would be conducted. In this brainstorming process it was decided that instead of an all day Saturday program, the field day would be broken up into smaller evening meetings and would be given the name &ldqu
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Forages
The 2018 growing season created a flurry of problems for many farming operations in the area. Persistent wet conditions created delay after delay and many crops became set-back, damaged, or even completely flooded out. These weather conditions lead to a massive crop of Johnson grass in many pastures and hayfields that could not be grazed or cut in a timely manner because it was simply too wet to enter the field with equipment or livestock. The negative issue that this created was that Johnson gr
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Choosing to consume fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best decisions for an individual’s health. However, fresh fruits and vegetables are relatively expensive, keeping some families in Clark County from being able to choose to purchase them. This is especially the case for some families that struggle meeting basic living needs because of a limited income. Many Clark County residents struggle to even provide these basic necessities for their families. In 2019
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping
In 2017, the Clark County Cooperative Extension Beekeeper Interest Group was established to provide a platform for further educating current beekeepers, and providing the opportunity for others to learn about beekeeping. In 2018, Clark CES assisted in merging the group with the Powell County Beekeepers Association to become the Clark-Powell Beekeepers Association. With assistance from Clark CES, this merger has now made it possible for the group to officially be recognized as a Beeke
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Beef
After five years of serving as a Cooperative Extension Agent in two counties I couldn’t help but notice the trend of farmers networking heavily after various extension educational meetings. I would eves drop, and even get in on some of these producer conversations and began to realize that just as much learning was taking place during these peer-to-peer informal conversations than did in the actual planned educational events of the regularly scheduled meeting. As I gave this further
Author: Clay Stamm
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
In a time where the general public is becoming more and more unaware of where their food comes from and much less the processes of agriculture production, an advocacy for agriculture is needed. Gilkison Farms, the Clark County Cooperative Extension, and many other community partners are leading the charge for that advocacy by hosting the Clark County Youth Ag Day Program.The Youth Ag Day is actually a two day event that has been taking place at Gilkison Farms for the last several years. The goal
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Between 2007 and 2012, the Kentucky has had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which was the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the U.S. during this time period (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky’s population continues to increase, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to
Author: Brandy Calvert
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Between 2007 and 2012, the Kentucky has had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which was the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the U.S. during this time period (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky’s population continues to increase, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to
Author: Shonda Johnston
Major Program: Farm Management
Between 2007 and 2012, the Kentucky has had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which was the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the U.S. during this time period (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky’s population continues to increase, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that agriculture makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Over the past 8 years, Clark County Extension Service has implemented various programs to assist fruit and vegetable farmers. Previous efforts have included various black plastic mulch demonstrations for vegetable and strawberry production, season extension technology demonstrations, a small scale market garden mentor program, various “classroom” course offerings, tours, and more. In follow up surveys from each of those programs, accessing suitable new small scale wholesa
