Boyle County CES

Title:

Management and Marketing

MAP:

Agricultural Profitability

Agents Involved:

A. Price, K. Ragland, J. Little, A. Amorese

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Grain Crops

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Farm Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

4-H Volunteer Programming

Situation:

Established and new producers are looking for ways to increase farm income in order to help offset tobacco quota cuts and the increasing price of farm inputs.
Youth interested in agricultural careers need basic skills and experience with a variety of agricultural enterprises to make suitable choices.
Non-farm youth are frequently unaware of the sources of their food.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Producers will increase profits on their farms while maintaining sound environmental practices.
Beef and forage producers will improve efficiency through better forage utilization and management.
Tobacco producers will improve efficiency through better production practices.
Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Assist producers with marketing and management decision tools.
Enhance profit margins for livestock producers.
Improve sustainability of forage based livestock systems.
Increase the number of producers implementing managed grazing practices.
Maximize profits for commercial ag producers.
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers will implement best management practices by increased use of soil testing, CPH 45 sales, Master Cattlemen Programs, Forage programs, Farmers Markets, the Phase 1 program, and risk management.
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber.
Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Economics of hay storage and feeding methods.
Implement routine soil sampling and follow recommendations.
Use diagnostic services to identify pasture weeds.
Help producers develop a grazing plan.
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production.
Adopt fertility management recommendations.
Implementation of on-farm trials.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will learn to use risk management to protect their investments.
Producers will learn to increase profitability using better management practices.
Producers will develop more knowledge of marketing opportunities.
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber.
Youth will develop valuable life skills including decision making, communications, record keeping, leadership and service.
Keep producers informed of grain crop production research.
Help producers better understand biotech traits in crops.
Increase non-farm public understanding of biotechnology vs conventional grain crops production.
Identify herbicide resistant pests and control strategies.
Awareness of forage variety trial information.
Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species.
Awareness of forage harvest, storage, and feeding management to reduce losses.
Keep producers informed on risk management options for their commodity.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased farmers market participation, beef and forage expansion.
Indicator: Visual assessment, comparison of past years members, participation in educational programs.
Method: One on one contacts, educational programs, and participation in special activities (Risk management workshops, Farmers Tax Workshop, Farmers Markets)and testimonials from clientele.
Timeline:During programs, 6 months, 1 or more years later.

Initial outcomes:
Will be measured by number of youth who participate in 4-H ANR projects, programs, events or activities. Change will be assessed by number of youth demonstrating skills learned and improved upon by participating in such. Evaluation methods will be observation and competition occurring during the program year.

Intermediate outcomes:
Will be measured by number of youth practicing and applying skills in 4-H ANR projects, programs, events, or activities. Change will be assessed by the number of youth demonstrating improvement in skills and knowledge relating to agriculture, entrepreneurism, communications, goal-setting, leadership, record keeping, and decision making. Evaluation methods will be observation and standard evaluation at end of program year.


Long-term Outcome:Will be measured by the number of youth with 4-H ANR entrepreneurial enterprise. Change will be assessed by the number of youth completing record book. Evaluation method will be record book completion and review at end of program year.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, individuals, investing in farms.
Limited resource families
Farm.
Non-farm.
Project or Activity:
Risk Management workshop
Annual Feed Crops Programs update. (Winter)
Provide Free Soil Testing. (All Year)
Encourage participating in State Commodity organizations.
Farm/City Breakfast to highlight agriculture.
Conduct ag programs for the Chamber of Commerce.
Cattlemen's Association Education Meetings. (5 per year)
Phase 1 Educational Programs. (All Year)
Ag Lenders Educational Update. ( Fall)
Farmers Tax Workshop (Fall)
LEAP
Food Safety
Area Tobacco Production Meeting
Utilize Mesonet Weather Station (all year)
Work with KDA on Scale Certification with Farmers Market Participants
Home Vegetable Gardening Program (Spring)
Farmers Market Promotion and Cooking Demonstrations
Risk Management Workshop
Inputs: Local Extension funds and local sponsorship will be used to fund programs conducted by the agents, and U.K. Specialists.
Date: Conducted throughout the year.

Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Livestock and dairy projects, Livestock Club, and Investment in Youth Sale
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Sheep, Goat, Swine, and Dairy Resource Handbooks; Beef, Sheep, Goat, and Swine Record Books; KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Manuals and Kit; Livestock Discovery CD
Inputs: Curricula; Extension professionals, Extension staff, certified volunteers, producers; program support, 4-H Council funding, private and business donations; partnership with Boyle County Fair, Boyle County Cattlemen’s Association, local businesses, UK specialists, KDA, KY State Fair; computer support, facilities, project supplies; Extension Office and facilities
Date: Year round

Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Gardening and horticultural projects; Plant Camp; Project Week; Rally Days; Cloverville
Content or Curriculum: Project Food, Land, and People; National 4-H gardening curriculum
Inputs: Curricula; Extension professionals, Extension staff, volunteers, producers; program support, 4-H Council funding; partnership with Boyle County Fair, UK specialists; computer support, facilities, project supplies; Extension Offices and gardens
Date: Spring and summer

Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Horse projects and Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Horse Achievement publications; Basic Horse Safety Manual; KY Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Manual and Kit
Inputs: Curricula; Extension professionals, Extension staff, certified volunteers, horse owners; program support, 4-H Council funding; UK specialists, KDA, KY State Fair; Mercer County Fair and Horse Show; computer support, facilities, project supplies; Extension Office and facilities
Date: Year round

Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Poultry projects and Poultry Club
Content or Curriculum: National Avian Bowl Manual; Raising Fancy Poultry; ChickQuest
Inputs: Curricula; Extension professionals, Extension staff, certified volunteers, producers; program support, 4-H Council funding, private and business donations; partnership with Boyle County Fair and local businesses, UK specialists, KDA, KY State Fair; computer support, facilities, project supplies; Extension Office and facilities
Date: Year round


Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Hippology, Horse Bowl, Skillathon, and Judging projects
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Sheep Swine Selection and Evaluation; Dairy Cattle Judging Handout, PDCA Dairy Cow Unified Scorecard, Holstein Foundation Dairy Judging Workbook; KY Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Manual and Kit; KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Manuals and Kit; Horse Bowl Manuals and Questions
Inputs: Curricula; Extension professionals, Extension staff, certified volunteers, local farms and producers; program support, 4-H Council funding; partnership with Boyle County Fair and local businesses, UK specialists, KDA, KY State Fair; computer support, facilities, project supplies; Extension Office and facilities
Date: January through August

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Audience:
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Success Stories