Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Profitability and Sustainability of Livestock and Crop Production
Promoting Commodities
Danielle Ford, Christan Miracle
Beef
Forages
Forages
Ag Water Quality Program
According to the 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture Marion County had 1016 farming operations encompassing approximately 166,000 acres of land. These farms had total sales of approximately $56 Million. Of the farms, 870 grew crops on approximately 70,000 acres. Over half of the farms in the county raise livestock with the primary type being a beef cow/calf raising operation. Low prices for crops for several years and rapidly falling cattle prices have made it a challenge for farmers to make money. While profit has become a challenge, farmers want and need to continue to operate in a sustainable manner that minimizes impacts on the environment.
Low cost, profitable farms will survive and provide good living situations for farm families. Farms that emphasize environmental sustainability will have the ability to preserve resources far into the future. Emphasis on soil and water quality and preservation will allow these farms to succeed.
Farmers adopt new practices that lead to more efficient and sustainable operations. Farm incomes and environmental quality improve.
Producers will be educated in practices emphasizing operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. Some of these practices include: rotational grazing, ration balancing, forage utilization and testing, soil testing, time management, record keeping and water quality preservation through emphasis on proper chemical, soil preservation and nutrient management practices.
Initial Outcome: Farmers increase knowledge and implementation efficient and sustainable practices in agriculture
Indicator: Number of farmers educated in efficient sustainable practices
Method: Interviews, verbal comments, and written evaluations
Timeline: 12 months
Intermediate Outcome: Farms adopt efficient, sustainable practices
Indicator: Number of farms adopting practices
Method: Interviews, verbal comments, and written evaluations
Timeline: 36 months
Long-term Outcome: Profitable farms survive into the future
Indicator: Profitability, number of farms, environmental quality
Method: Interviews, verbal comments, and written evaluations
Timeline: 5 years
Audience: Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: BQCA training, Pesticide Training, Safety programs
Content or Curriculum: Lecture and hands on education
Inputs: Specialists, County Agent
Date. throughout the 2019-2020 year
Audience: Grain Farmers
Project or Activity: Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Demonstrate efficient and sustainable practices
Inputs: Specialists, County agent, local farm operation
Date: Fall 2019
Audience: Marion County Farmers and Citizens
Activity: Newspaper article
Content or Curriculum: Livestock, tobacco, crop and home and commercial horticulture issues
Inputs: Information from specialists, County Agent
Date: Weekly
Author: Christan Miracle
Major Program: Healthy and Safety for Ag Producers/Workers
Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is an event that teaches 4th grade students from Marion County about being safe in their community, home, and on the farm. Our rural community is in need of a program such as this to ensure youth have the proper skill set to stay safe while on the farm. During this event each child has the opportunity to visit several stations to learn safe behaviors when they are faced with different scenarios. Some of the stations included equipment safety, electrical safety,
Author: Christan Miracle
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Farm to Fork Field Day is a program that teaches 5th grade students across the county about agriculture and food in their community. In our rural community there is a need to teach youth about where their food comes from. Giving real life examples of many different food products is one way to show the students how their food gets to them. Reinforcing the information with take home items such as coloring books, handouts with literature, key chains, and other goody bag items also keeps the message
Author: Christan Miracle
Major Program: Forages
Forages are one of the most important aspects of many types of farms. Whether the farm produces livestock such as beef cattle, sheep, or horse, or the farm is used for sod production, the forages are at the limited factor of profit. In the winter of 2020 a tri-county educational series was implemented called Master Haymaker. In this 6 part series specialists from the University of KY forage department as well as guest speakers presented their knowledge to a diverse group of farmers. One reason t
Author: Christan Miracle
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
The Lebanon, KY Farmers Market is located in the heart of Central KY. The market has had on average 5 steady vendors for the last few years and has done well considering the low vendor turn out. This year the market has turned over a new leaf with both the amount of active vendors and increasing customer base. The COVID-19 Pandemic has helped sales tremendously at the market. Although that is not the only factor increasing sales. New and improved marketing at given the market a huge boost as wel
Author: Christan Miracle
Major Program: Ag Marketing
In response to COVID-19 school, community and business closings, Marion County Cooperative Extension Service and the 4-H Program, ANR Program, and EFNEP Program sought to address a community need to provide educational opportunities. Due to COVID-19 social distancing, 4-H, ANR, and EFNEP Programs developed Extension Activity Bags and informational packets that helped to keep both youth and adults informed and involved with Extension programs during the pandemic.Over 1500 informationa
