Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture PracticesPlan of Work

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Madison County CES

Title:
Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture Practices
MAP:
Encourage and Promote Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Agents Involved:
Amanda Sears, Brandon Sears
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Sustainable Agriculture
Situation:

The Madison County Agriculture Economy has undergone significant changes in recent years. As a result farmers are seeking new opportunities to generate on farm income.


Local leadership including Madison County agriculture and horticulture councils as well as local agricultural organizations have identified a need to improve agriculture productivity and assist beginning farmers. Producers need to implement best management practices that will promote profitable operations while responsibly utilizing natural resources. (Madison County Agricultural Development Council Comprehensive Plan, 2015)

Long-Term Outcomes:

Madison County producers increase net farm income while promoting production efficiency, natural resource conservation and stewardship.


Producers will report reduced expenses and/or increased profits.


Madison County farmers will improve profitability by more efficiently and economically marketing their crops and livestock.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Growers will diversify types of crops produced and improve yield and quality of crops.


Livestock producers will increase efficiency through utilization of extended grazing, reduced purchased feed costs, and better reproductive management.


Farmers will increase grazing opportunities, using various forages and production methods thus reducing stored feed.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will utilize the Madison County Cooperative Extension

Service to make research based decisions.


Farmers will utilize Best Management Practices and Integrated Pest Management in their production systems.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Livestock producers will increase efficiency through utilization of extended grazing, reduced feed costs, better reproductive management.

Indicator:Percentage increase in value added sales such as CPH-45 and Bred Heifer Sales. Increased utilization of estrus synchronization products. Adoption of alternative forage systems such as summer annual forages and extended grazing.

Method:Surveys and evaluations of workshops, sales and programs

Timeline:After conclusion of event


Outcome: Producers will utilize the Madison County Cooperative Extension Service to make research based decisions.

Indicator: Increased number of farmers and producers use the diagnostic services of the extension office.

Method:Keep records of the number of producers who use the diagnostic services at the extension service

Timeline: year round


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Cattle Producers


Activity: Beef Cattle Production Tour

Content or Curriculum: Local planning committee and Ag. Agent

Inputs: ANR agent and UK beef cattle specialists

Date: As needed


Audience: Agriculture Producers


Activity: Agricultural Winter Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Regulations and programs, UK specialist updates about production practices and local demonstrations

Inputs: ANR agent and UK Extension Specialists. Other speakers as required.

Date: Annually, Winter months



Audience: Madison County Residents


Activity: Extension Farm Field Day

Content or Curriculum: As determined by Ag. Council and Ag. Businesses/ commodity groups

Inputs: ANR agent, UK Extension Specialists, various experts in their respective areas

Date: Annually


Audience: Agriculture Producers


Activity: ANR Program Workshops

Content: Varies depending on topic (forages, beef, soil fertility, etc) More in depth subject matter than farm field day.

Input: ANR agent

Date: As needed


Audience: Madison County Residents


Activity: Vegetable Production Meeting

Content: UK Curriculum

Input: UK specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Horticulture Agent

Date: Annually


Audience: Madison County Forage Producers


Activity: Forage Management and Education

Content: County demo plots/local producer cooperation

Input: ANR agent, UK Specialists, and local farmers

Date: As needed and as opportunities arise


Audience: Madison County Residents

Activity: Diagnostic Services and Recommendations

Content: UK Extension Resources

Inputs: ANR and HORT agents, UK Extension Specialists and Resources

Date: On-going Year round



Success Stories

Top of the Crop Bred Heifer Sale

Author: Brandon Sears

Major Program: Beef

Madison County currently has an agriculture economy that is largely based on beef cattle production. Approximately 86% of current farm gate receipts are from livestock sales. This is a drastic change from twenty years ago when Madison County ranked third in the state for burley tobacco production and the agriculture economy was based on tobacco.Madison County Extension has provided research based information to agriculture producers as they transitioned from tobacco farming to livestock operatio

Full Story

Reynolds Farm Beef IRM Project

Author: Brandon Sears

Major Program: Beef

Madison County is the second largest beef cattle producing county in the state of KY with approximately 71,000 head. Proper management of reproduction in cattle contributes to increased productivity and profitability on the farm. Since early 2015 the UK Beef Integrated Reproductive Management (IRM) team and Madison County ANR agent have worked with a Madison County beef producer to increase reproductive efficiency in their herd. UK Extension Beef Specialists and the Madison County ANR agent

Full Story
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