Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Livestock Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley, Mandi Broderick
Forages
Beef
4-H Volunteer Programming
Food Preservation
Lewis County is home to 676 farms operating on 117,955 acres with the average farm size being 174 acres. The County Extension Council and the Agriculture Advisory Committee identified crop and livestock production as major components of Lewis County agriculture production. To increase profits it is important for farms to be efficient and increase yield as well as diversify. Youth need to recognize the impact that agriculture has on our daily lives as well as agriculture in the commonwealth. It is also important that farm families are able to save money and add value to their products and utilize food preservation techniques that allow them to do that.
Profits will be sustained during tough economic times and increased during strong markets. Producers will get a premium price for their products.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Lewis Countians will be able to market/sell locally produced garden products that have been safely preserved.
Youth and farmers will improve cow/calf operations by using better genetics, improved feed efficiencies, record keeping, and animal health.
Youth and adults will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food in the areas of animal science.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Lewis Countians will safely preserve fresh, locally grown food products.
Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and sustainable food systems in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth will learn valuable skills including decision making, record-keeping and leadership skills.
Lewis Countians will learn to safely and properly preserve food products.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Knowledge and skills will be gained in the area of food production.
Method: Self Reporting and Project books
Timeline: Fall 2021
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Youth will turn in record books and be able to offer reasons during showmanship.
Method:Observation
Timeline: Fall 2020
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Lewis Countians learn to safely preserve fresh, local food products.
Method: Observation
Timeline: Fall 2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Change in data collected before and after East Ky Beef IRM Project.
Method: Data from Eastern Kentucky Beef IRM Project
Timeline: Fall 2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Youth Livestock Club participants will explain role of agriculture to 5th graders during Field Day.
Method: Observation
Timeline: Fall 2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: There are fewer disqualified preserved items at the county fair due to improper techniques used.
Method: County fair entry data
Timeline: Fall 2020
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Profits are sustained or increased during tough economic times.
Method: Agent interviews and number of farms are maintained in the county.
Timeline: Winter 2021
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Profits are obtained by selling canned goods at the Farmers Market and other eligible venues.
Method: Self reporting and observation
Timeline: Summer 2021
Audience: Cow/Calf Operators
Project or Activity: East Ky. Beef IRM
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum on beef production
Inputs: agent time, UK specialist time, and Ky. Beef Network
Date: Winter 2020
Audience: Women Farm Managers
Project or Activity: Farm School for Women
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum and USDA
Inputs: Ag. Agent time, USDA office time, local farm businesses
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: Youth Livestock participants
Project or Activity: Livestock Projects, feeder calf, hogs, lambs, and goats
Content or Curriculum: 4-H approved core curriculum for livestock
Inputs: 4-H curriculum, club leader volunteer, volunteer time, 4-H agent time, program assistant time, ag. agent time.
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: Lewis County 5th graders
Project or Activity: Youth Field Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Kit and curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent time, Ag. Agent time, FCS Agent time, Program Assistant Time, SNAP assistant time, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Woodmen of the World, Local farmers, Livestock project participants.
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: Lewis County Citizens
Project or Activity: Food Preservation workshop and Micro-processing workshop
Content or Curriculum: Extension Food Preservation curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent time, UK Specialist, Preservation equipment and supplies, UK curriculum
Date: Summer 2021
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Grain Crops
The severely high rainfall in central and eastern Kentucky in August and September of 2018 caused severe damage to soybean seed quality. The extreme weather events overwhelmed any possible management by producers to overcome the disaster. Phone calls, text messages, emails, and farm visits were conducted to assess the damage and discuss options with growers. Philip Konopka, Lewis County ANR Extension Agent, and Dr. Chad Lee University of Kentucky Agronomist visited several fields in Lewis County
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Lewis County is a rural county, however not all youth know where the food they actually comes from other than the grocery store. To help combat ag illiteracy the Lewis County ANR agent teamed up with the Lewis County 4-H Agent, Lewis County FCS Agent, Lewis County Program Assistant, Lewis County SNAP Assistant, Community Business, and Community Leaders, to take on the challenge of teach the 5th grade students where the food they eat every day really comes from. Our solution to the problem was to
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Grain Crops
Small grain production is mainly focused on cover crops in our area with a limited number of acres harvested for grain and straw. This trend is increasing due to the demand for cover crop seed. In 2020, we saw a historical freeze late in the season that damaged the small grain crops, severely hurting the yield potential resulting in the need for management plans to be altered for the remaining crop production. Two separate freeze events occurred on April 15-16 with temperatures
