Improving Agricultural IncomePlan of Work

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Garrard County CES

Title:
Improving Agricultural Income
MAP:
Agriculture Production, Diversity, and Marketing
Agents Involved:
Hettmansperger, Hixson, Comley
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Tobacco
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Bees/Beekeeping
Situation:

Garrard County farmers have experienced a large decline in their dependence upon tobacco as their main income source. Farmers have increased their beef cow herds to try and make up the short fall. Cattle prices continue to fluctuate, narrowing profit margins and farmers need to become more efficient in forage and feed production. They will explore non-traditional ways of farming to remain profitable. Interest in hemp production has increased. Through surveys and conversations with farmers,they have put an importance on new forage and beef production methods and learning about hemp production. Youth livestock programs can teach young farmers best management practices and give them the chance to continue the family farm.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Farmers will become more efficient and profitable through adopting new methods learned from Extension programs. More youth will return to the family farm.
Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers will become better forage producers and will look at alternatives to traditional ways of feeding their livestock. They will become better marketers by utilizing CPH-45 calf sales and other forms of value added marketing. Grain producers will chose yield increasing hybrids from test plots. Farmers will become efficient at growing hemp. Youth will choose careers in agriculture.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers will use new and improved varieties of forages to increase production. Beef producers will adopt new practices such as rotational grazing and controlled calving seasons to increase production. Farmers will utilize new marketing strategies for their calves through CPH-45 and direct marketing. Farmers will gain knowledge on hemp production.

Youth will increase their knowledge of new farming practices and choose careers in Agriculture.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Farmer adoption of new practices
Indicator: Personal contacts and surveys. Youth choosing Ag careers.
Method: Farm visits and observations. Monitor participation in educational meetings and special Extension programs.
Timeline: Throughout the year and do surveys during winter farmer meetings


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Garrard County Farmers and other interested parties. 4-H, FFA and other youth.
Activity: Phase – 1 Educational programs (all year)
BQA, Hay storage, Fencing
Private Applicators Pesticide Certification (winter)
Applying Pesticides Correctly (Spring)
CPH-45 calf sales (fall, winter, spring)
Garrard Co. Cattleman’s Assoc. Meetings (fall and winter)
Economic Update, Beef and Forage Production (Winter)
Soil Testing (all year)
4-H Livestock Club meetings (monthly)
Extension material
ANR Programs through 4-H School programs (fall-spring)
ANR projects
Work with local Commodity Groups (All Year)
Fall Field Day
Forage improvement, Beef production techniques (Spring & Summer)
Farmers Market Development (Spring – Summer)
Commercial Vegetable Update (Winter)
Tobacco Cutting Contest (fall)
Gardening Programs for Housing Authority (spring)
Joint programing with KSU
ANR programs at the High School Ag Department (School year)
Extension specialist and Agents






Success Stories

CPH-45 calve sale

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Beef

The beef cattle market prices have been fluctuating and declining during the Covid19 crisis making profits hard to come by.  Garrard County beef producers have been using value added sales such as CPH-45 to increase their profits over just taking the cattle to traditional markets.  The 6 producers that marketed through the CPH-45 sales in Richmond and Lexington Kentucky have reported an increase in prices of 10 to 20 cents per pound due to following the value added protocols used in th

Full Story

Tobacco Cutting Contest

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Tobacco

The Garrard County Extension Service has sponsored a local tobacco cutting contest for 39 years. The contest is one of the communities' largest events of the year with over 400 people attending.  Tobacco production has declined dramaticaly since the buyout in the year 2000 but tobacco is still a major source of income for farmers in Garrard County. The Cutting Contest is an community effort supported by local businesses and individuals. The contest showcases the hard labor involved in h

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Purchasing the Right Bull

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Beef

Purchasing the right bull to fit the producer's cows and to maximize the individual's marketing strategy is a decision that should take some thought and time.  Several County agents and University specialist conducted a two night program on Bull Purchasing Decisions.  Forty participants attended a 2 night program where they learn how to access their own cow herd and ultimate outcome they want to achieve.  With the help of University specialist, they learned how to understa

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