Planning for the Family and FarmPlan of Work

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Muhlenberg County CES

Title:
Planning for the Family and Farm
MAP:
Improving Production and Management
Agents Involved:
Darrell Simpson
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management
Situation:

All agricultural commodities are facing an uncertain future in terms of obtaining and sustaining a profit margin. Lack of profitability could result in unintended consequences on a personal and professional level. Commodity Councils and County Extension Council members provided suggested programming input so as to try and reduce or alleviate potential hardships or economic catastrophes.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Clientele will assess business decisions and gain management and production skills that will help sustain their farm businesses.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Clientele participate in educational programs and utilize information gained.

Initial Outcomes:

Agricultural producers will start a dialogue within their business regarding enhanced production and management practices.


Agricultural producers will adopt production practices.

Evaluation:

One to One visits, phone and or written surveys will be used following educational programs. This will be used throughout the four year plan of work.


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits

Timeline: Annually- 2019-2020



Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Improved planning for production and management will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits and post program surveys will be utilized.

Timeline: After programs and on an annual basis.


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits

Timeline: Annually 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Agricultural Producers

Project or activity: Monthly beef and vegetable production meetings or field trips or field days and demonstrations.

Content or curriculum: Educational programs UK specialist and local ANR agent

Inputs: Agent, specialist, and volunteer time, office space

Date: Monthly on an annual basis 


Audience: Agriculture producers and their family members

Project or Activity:  Financial Awareness

Content or Curriculum: CAFE budgets and Farm Analysis reports

Inputs: Specialists, Farm analysis specialists and ANR agents, volunteer time, Program Support funds

Date: Program year 2019-2020




Success Stories

Utilizing Warm Season Forages to Increase Profits

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Forages

Forage production and management are key to low cost cattle production. This agent worked with Dr. Chris Teutsch, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment Forage Specialist to demonstrate the utilization of warm season annuals and perennials. That demonstration showed producers that they could increase both stocking rates and weight gain in their beef herd.  A field day was utilized to highlight the demonstration and to provide beef cattle producers information tha

Full Story

Investing in Agriculture in Muhlenberg County

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Farm Management

House Bill 611 defined the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Extension Service’s role with the Master Settlement Agreement regarding leaders and funds. This agent has worked to facilitate the actions of the Phase I County Agriculture Council and any legal entity that has administered funds. As a result, county leaders have volunteered their time to determine how the county funds would be utilized.   County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) has been administered by the

Full Story

Strategies for Tax Management

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Farm Management

Tax management is a crucial component of the active farm business as well as the farm business that is planning to cease operations. The Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Service worked with Jonathan Shepherd from the University of Kentucky College of  Agriculture Food and Environment Agricultural Economics Department to host an educational meeting to help beef cattle producers learn more about this topic. Twenty nine producers including seven wives were in attendance at the program.

Full Story

Grain Marketing Workshop Helps Navigate Tight Times

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Farm Management

Slim profit margins and limited working capital result in a particularly challenging economic environment for many grain producers to navigate. Being a new farmer can add an additional hurdle. Dr. Todd Davis, an assistant professor in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, has hosted risk management workshops since 2016 at locations across the state. The workshops feature case studies to show producers how they can use risk management tools to preserve their working capital during

Full Story

Management Details Improve Cow - Calf Profitability

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Farm Management

Paying attention to details helps to improve the profitability of any business. Dr. Kenneth Burdine, Dr. Greg Halich, and Jonathan Shepherd from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Agricultural Economics Department developed a program titled Cow Calf Profitability. They worked with Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources across the state to deliver the program in five locations across the commonwealth. Program topics focused primarily on managem

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