Production AgriculturePlan of Work

Back to the Program

Caldwell County CES

Title:
Production Agriculture
MAP:
Advancing Sustainable Crop Production Systems Big and Small
Agents Involved:
Shane Bogle, Rhonda Jewell, Ashley White
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grain Crops
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Situation:

Change is a constant in everything but it especially rings true for production agriculture. The last several years have seen a grain production boom in Caldwell County. Stiff competition for land made cash rents increase to never seen before levels. As prices have lowered sharply in the last year producers that were unprepared and have overspent are feeling the crunch. Lease rates are slower to follow this downward trend as landowners have grown accustomed to being paid more for their ground. Specialty crops such as canola and grain sorghum are a more common sight. Many tobacco producers that have transitioned away from tobacco are still looking for ways to replace that income. A flurry of high tunnel greenhouses have started in Caldwell County helping with this and participation in the Caldwell On-line and traditional farmers market. Phase I and USDA state cost shares have helped this along.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Producers will improve quality of life by increasing revenue in production agriculture.

*Producers will implement environmentally safe practices for pesticide and fertilizer applications.

*Producers will utilize rinse and return programs to improve the environment.

*Producers will gain a better understanding of grain marketing and futures contracts.

*Producers will explore new crop opportunities.

*Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*The public will become aware of the importance of agriculture to the community.

*Producers will implement policy changes learned at educational meetings.

*Producers will understand the opportunity to produce alternate crops.

*Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources.

*Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.

Initial Outcomes:

*Producers will utilize up-to-date decision making information concerning the field of production agriculture

*Producers will utilize the tools to make important production decisions concerning economics and safe agronomic practices and adoption of new crop enterprises.

*Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

*Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies.

Evaluation:
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Community Leaders, Producers

Project or Activity: Farm to Table program

Content or Curriculum: Hometown Harvest

Inputs: Community, Farmers Market, Extension, Donors

Date: July 2019


Audience: Producers

Project or Activity: Rinse and Return Program

Content or Curriculum: KDA

Inputs: KDA, Extension

Date: August 2019


Audience: Producers, General Public

Project or Activity:Pesticide Applicator Training

Content or Curriculum: PAT-1

Inputs: Agent

Date: Fall, Winter


Audience: Producers, Lenders

Project or Activity: County grain meeting

Content or Curriculum: UK specialists

Inputs: Agent, specialist

Date: Winter each year


Audience: Producers, Lenders ect.

Project or Activity: Tobacco production update

Content or Curriculum: UK/UT Specialist

Inputs: Agent specialists

Date: Winter each year


Audience: Farmers Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Production meeting/GAP training

Content or Curriculum: UK/KDA / Public Health

Inputs: Agent, KDA, UK, Public Health

Date: Spring each year


Audience: Students in Caldwell County Schools

Project or Activity: Trash Sculpture

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: Youth, Agent, CCS Natural Resources Curriculum

Date: November 2019


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Farm, Food, and Fitness

Content or Curriculum: My Plate

Inputs:County Extension  Agents

Date: Summer 2020


Audience: public

Project or Activity: Soil To Shelf Series

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener

Inputs: Agent, UK

Date: Spring 2020


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Jr. Sr. Forestry Field Day

Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Forestry Dept.

Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, KY Division of Forestry, Land Bewteen the Lakes

Date: Fall 2019  and Spring 2020


Audience: Caldwell County Elementary 3rd grade students

Project or Activity:Food For America

Content or Curriculum: Caldwell County FFA, local farmers, Ag related businesses

Inputs: Agents, community, farmers,

Date: Fall 2019


Audience: Caldwell County Teens

Project or Activity: State Forestry Contest

Content or Curriculum: National Forestry Contest 

Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, Bernheim National Forest

Date: April 2020


Audience: Caldwell County Teens 

Project or Activity: Kentucky Forest Leadership Program

Content or Curriculum: Led by UK Specialist 

Inputs: Agents, UK Specialist, UK Department of Forestry

Date: June 2020



Success Stories

Small Town Farmers Market of the Future

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

The demand for locally grown fresh produce has increased exponentially over the last few years.  With the success of the KY Proud initiative, local Farmers Markets have become the catalyst to provide safe, fresh and nutritious produce to communities across the state.  The Caldwell County Extension Service in collaboration with multiple partners including the Caldwell county Farmers Market, County government, City government, and Farmers Market supporters hosted two Farm to Table Dinner

Full Story

Reaching the Horse Owner, Both Big and Small

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Equine

While Kentucky is widely thought of as Horse Country some may not realize the number of horses and horse owners that are found in each of the state’s 120 counties. Based on the 2012 Equine survey it is known where the horses and horse owners are, but it can be a challenge to reach those owners with the information they want. To meet this challenge a group of ANR agents from Caldwell, Calloway, Crittenden, Livingston, and Trigg counties joined with specialists from UK to develop a field day

Full Story

Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association Activities

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Empowering Community Leaders (general)

Livestock production remains a major agriculture enterprise in Caldwell County.  The Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association is a dedicated group of producers that not only promotes and supports the livestock industry but is recognized as a leading civic organization in Caldwell County. They provide catering services for county educational and civic events, sponsor educational programs, mentor young cattle producers, provide multiple scholarships to youth in Caldwell and Lyon County, and

Full Story
Back to the Program