Fleming County CES

Title:

Adapting to Changing Agricultural Markets

MAP:

Securing Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability

Agents Involved:

Fryman, Thrasher , ANR agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Sustainable Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Situation:

The traditional agricultural production of tobacco and dairy have been on a decline in Fleming County for the last 10-15 years. This has led to a decline in sales and production of supplies and commodities that support dairy and tobacco production. Now, more than ever, farmers are needing to find ways to be more profitable and create sustainable farming operations that will provide for them and their families for many years to come. Also, there needs to be opportunity for young farmers to build a successful business in the current ag market. Youth who are interested in careers in agriculture need education on the current ag market and need to be introduced to effective and efficient production techniques through classroom and hands-on education

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Agricultural producers will adapt to the changing agricultural markets
-Producers will continue to be profitable in a changing ag market
-Producers will change their operations in order to produce a commodity that there is a good market for
-Producers will become more efficient and effective in their farm management and implementation of good management practices
-Farmers will create operations that include sustainable agricultural practices for both the land and their own finances
-Youth will be educated on the current agricultural markets through 4H
- Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H Projects and activities.

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Agricultural producers will implement changes needed in their operations according to the needs to the changing markets
-Producers will make changes necessary to continue being profitable in their enterprises
-Producers will implement techniques and strategies learned from research and extension to become more effective and produce higher quality products
-Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

Initial Outcomes:

-Producers will gain knowledge of new and changing agricultural markets
-Producers will become more open minded to new and changing markets for beef, dairy, tobacco, and horticultural products
-Producers will learn how they can change their operations to become more efficient
-Producers will learn how they can change their operations to produce a higher quality product
-Producers will become familiar with cultural practices that will allow them to make more profit from their products
-Youth will gain knowledge and skills in production in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
-Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record keeping, leadership and service.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record keeping, leadership and service.
Indicator: The number of youth that keep production, performance or financial records on their 4-H Project.
Method: Observation of 4-H Record Books submitted.
Timeline: September

Intermediate Outcome: Agricultural producers will implement changes needed in their operations according to the needs to the changing markets
Indicator: Farmers indicating that they have applied necessary changes to their operations based on educational programming
Method: Survey sent to participants to program, preferable in a personal one on one setting.
Timeline: 6 months - 1 year after program attendance

Long-term Outcome: Producers will continue to be profitable in a changing ag market
Indicator: The number of farmers and working farms in the county will either remain constant or increase
Method: Observation, Census record
PAC Codes: 1061, 1081
Timeline: 2+ years 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Local Beef Farmers
Project or Activity: Master Cattleman (Master Stocker, Master Grazer, Master Marketer Programs)
Content or Curriculum: UK Master Cattleman Curriculum, BQA, Cattle Handling and Care
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, Agents
Date: February-April

Audience: Local Dairy Farmers
Project or Activity: Winter Dairy Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Dairy technologies and research from UK Dairy
Inputs: UK Dairy Specialists
Date: January

Audience: Crop Farmers
Project or Activity: Crop Classes
Content or Curriculum: Private Pesticide Applicator Training, Market Updates, Production Information, Farmers Market GAP
Inputs: Agent, UK specialists
Date: October -April

Audience: Local Tobacco Farmers
Project or Activity: Annual GAP Meetings
Content or Curriculum: GAP Training curriculum
Inputs: University Specialists, Tobacco
Date: February-March

Audience: Vegetable Growers
Project or Activity: Farmer’s Market Vendor Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Information chosen by farmers directly related to the production of fruit and vegetable crops
Inputs: Agents, UK Horticulture Specialists , KDA
Date: February-April

Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H livestock Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, FFA Advisors, Certified Volunteers, Community Partners
Date: September - August

Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Certified Leaders, Community Partners
Date: January - August

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Gardening Program
Content or Curriculum: Sprouts Program, Bonnie Cabbage Program, UK publications
Inputs: Agents, Garden Club, Volunteer Program, Schools
Date: Spring, Summer

Success Stories