Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop Production
Sustainable Agriculture
Tad Campbell, Macy Fawns
Forages
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Forages
Sustainable Agriculture
With the agriculture diversity in Mason County coupled with a desired heritage tobacco production in the county, focusing on crop sustainability and enhancements to continue to generate farm income will offset any one major income producing sector. Forages for pasture/hay and cash hay become more prevalent with the economics of other commodities. Grain and tobacco production continue to generate farm income, but at a lesser scale than years past. Building a strong forage management mentality will work hand in hand with the large livestock production sector in the county. Producers in the community look for efficient productive means for forage development and sustainability as well as other possible alternative such as Hemp and bio-mass for forms of education pilots and income generating avenues.
Producers utilize technology to become more efficient with production expenses to lower volume input costs while maintaining environmentally sound conservation practices.
Management of forages allow for increased carrying capacities, higher yields, and higher quality for operational use or cash sales.
Markets and production opportunities become available for new crops such as Hemp and other non-traditional crops to provide added income to Mason County farm operations.
-Producers adapt technology such as GPS monitoring for chemical and fertilizer applications to become more efficient.
-Producers soil test farms to add the proper amount of fertilization needed for a specific crop.
-Tobacco producers utilize proper varieties to help reduce disease pressure during production.
-Rotational grazing is adapted to provide adequate rest times for each field.
-Producers follow pesticide safety protocols gained during certification and from the label instructions to reduce risk of exposure.
-Producers gain knowledge of crop varieties to enhance production efficiencies.
-Storage capabilities can add value to crops.
-Dividing pasture fields for rotational grazing improves forage quantity and quality.
-Pesticide safety is important to all on the operation.
-Learn about using better varieties to improve forage quality and yield
Initial Outcome: Producers learn more efficient production methods
Indicator: More frost seeding clover/ No-till forages
Method: Questionnaire
Timeline: Following educational meetings
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers utilize new management methods and increase soil testing
Indicator: More performed soil tests/ increase rotational fields
Method: Questionnaire/ Farm Visits to layout rotational systems
Timeline: Spring and Fall
Long-term Outcome: Producers increase yields in crops
Indicator: More bushels/ac produced or sold; More hay production (tons); More days grazing
Method: Survey/ personal contact (phone/email)
Timeline: Winter
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Corn Silage Variety Test Plot
Content or Curriculum: UK based information
Inputs: local farm, extension office/personnel, materials, meals, volunteer leaders
Date: Spring/Fall
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Agronomy Day
Content or Curriculum: UK based info (Grain, Forages, Tobacco)
Inputs: UK Specialist, Extension Office, food, handouts, sponsors
Date: February
Audience: Tobacco Farmers
Project or Activity: Tobacco Production/GAP
Content or Curriculum: UK based materials
Inputs: Extension Office, materials, volunteer leaders
Date: Early Spring
Audience: Area Farmers
Project or Activity: Farm Family Night
Content or Curriculum: UK based materials
Inputs: Extension Office, materials, volunteer leaders, UK Specialists
Date: Early Spring
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Forage Production/Weed Control Programs
Content or Curriculum: UK based materials
Inputs: Extension Office, materials, volunteer leaders, UK Specialists
Date: Early Spring/ Late Fall and Winter
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Growing organic or natural produce can be very difficult especially when insects and disease attack. Several farmers in Mason County expressed interest in learning how to grow vegetables using organic methods in high tunnels. The horticulture agent contacted the University of Kentucky South Farm to set-up a time for local farmers to tour the high tunnels, then asked specialist to speak on disease, beneficial insects and general high tunnel management. Quickly the small tour turned into a fi
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Growing crops on plastic and using drip irrigation is rarely used in our farming region. Due the planned hemp crop that will be grown using this technology, a plastic culture field day was planned to share information with area growers. Over 100 growers from 11 Kentucky counties and 2 Ohio Counties attended a regional field day in Bracken County that highlighted the requirements, machinery, and methods used for Plastic Culture crop production. Each segment of the process was ex
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The Buffalo Trace Area Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents hosted two producer certification meetings discussing a newer chemical chemistry with soybean production utilizing dicamba based herbicides. Agents partnered with Bayer Incorporated and the University of Kentucky Weed Scientist Specialists to offer two certification meetings discussing the environmental concerns with dicamba chemistries. Each session presented positive and negatives associated with the chemistry while of
