Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, AgriculturePlan of Work

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Clark County CES

Title:
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture Advancement
Agents Involved:
David Davis, Brandy Calvert, Shannon Farrell, Clay Stamm, Shonda Johnston
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Volunteer Programming
Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.

Initial Outcomes:

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.

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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



Success Stories

Farm Inc.

Author: Shannon Farrell

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

Farm Inc.

While agricultural classes are offered in many high schools across Kentucky, there has been a void of educating and preparing young individuals on in-depth step by step farming endeavors.  Furthermore, farming has often been considered a career where only minimal education is needed to take care of animals and/or the land, it has contrarily evolved into a very prestigious occupation that requires countless hours, enormous expenses, and great risks.  When managed efficiently, signi

Full Story

Four Pillars of Beef Production

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Beef

During the Fall of 2019 I was contacted by Dr Darrah Bullock, a University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Beef Specialist to host a extension style beef meeting, of course I committed to the offer as soon as I could because I know the quality of programing that the University beef specialist continuously put out. After settling on a date and time and talking with Dr Bullock further I realized that this wasn’t going to be traditional extension meeting. As a matter of fact, none of the sp

Full Story

Reaching new Audiences with old recommendations

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Soils

Soil Sampling. When most people think of an Agriculture Extension Agent this is one of the first services that they associate with the occupation, and rightfully so considering the average Extension Service in Kentucky will evaluate anywhere from 200-1000 soil sample results per year. As simple, and straight forward as these test and results may be for extension agents and longtime Kentucky farmers, interpreting these results presents a roadblock when a language barrier is present.I was able to

Full Story

Winter School Beef Night

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Beef

My beef program is by far my strongest extension program in Clark County. Being one of the largest cow-calf producing counties in the state, Clark County farmers are always anxious to learn how to make their herds production exceed years past. This creates a perfect environment for successful extension programming and the Beef Night of Winter School 2020 proved to be just that!With the ongoing advertisements of many alternative meat options that are being adopted by numerous long standing fast-f

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Making impact during the pandemic

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Beef

Social Media platforms have been an underutilized tool by many Cooperative Extension Offices for some time now. Many offices have had social media pages for several years but because of the time restraints of the job, many have failed to keep these pages up to date with fresh, relevant content for the page’s followers. With the onset of the Corona-virus pandemic, many Extension workers were advised to work from home as much as possible to help avid the spread of the sickness. This order fo

Full Story

The Renaissance of a Horticulture Agent

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

The spring of 2020 brought about quite a bit of change and turmoil in the Clark County Cooperative Extension Office. The Covid-19 pandemic changed the way we reach our clientele to say the least, and agents were forced to make key changes to their program or be left behind. While this was happening, I had another special set of circumstances I was forced to adapt to. My longtime co-worker and horticulture agent David Davis left Clark County Cooperative Extension to take a job elsewhere. With his

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