Commercial ProductionPlan of Work

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Woodford County CES

Title:
Commercial Production
MAP:
Competitive Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Grain Crops
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Volunteer Programming
Situation:

In 2012, the National Agriculture Statistics Service has estimated that cash receipts for Woodford County were almost $247 million less than in 2007. Coupled with this alarming 78% reduction in cash receipts, there are now 22% fewer farmers whose primary occupation is farming. Crops, livestock, and horticulture enterprises are all very important to the Woodford County agriculture economy and programs designed to improve productivity and profitability of these enterprises is essential. Educational and community development programs that not only address production practices, but marketing and risk management tools for farms is needed.


Long-Term Outcomes:

An increase in farm revenue and input efficiency. Financial stability of farming operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.

Initial Outcomes:

Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Increase in farm revenue and principal operators whose primary occupation is farming.

Indicator: Agriculture Statistics

Method: Observation

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.

Indicator: Statement/Observation

Method: Personal Interviews

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.

Indicator: Attendance records

Method: Observation

Timeline: Monthly


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families

Project or Activity: Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Test plot observation, pasture walks, current agriculture topics

Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, specialist's time, program support funds

Date: Annually



Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families

Project or Activity: Educational Programs

Content or Curriculum: Livestock, Equine,Crop Production, and Risk Management Meetings

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, Specialist's time, program support funds, Woodford Co. Beef Cattle Association, Farm Bureau

Date: Annually



Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market, Field Visits

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing

Inputs: Phase I Cost-share programs, farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Woodford Co. Commercial Kitchen

Date: Annually



Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science curriculum

Inputs: Certified Volunteers, Country Ham project barn, agent & assistant

Date: Monthly meeting & activities September - August



Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Expo

Content or Curriculum: Livestock Clinic & Country Ham speech presentation

Inputs: Expo Planning Committee, Sponsorship

Date: July



Success Stories

Funding Resources for Farmers

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Farm Management

Funding resources for farmers are often crucial to starting a new farm business and even sustaining an existing one. The Woodford County Extension Office receives many inquiries from clientele asking about grants, loans, and cost share opportunities to help offset the costs of either starting their farm business or expanding, sustaining, and/or diversifying their current operation. In an effort to pull all of the funding resources together, the Woodford County Extension Service partnered with th

Full Story

Lunch and Learn - USDA Farm Bill Programs

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Ag Policy

As the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) develops federal programs through legislation, it is crucial that farmers be informed of the new programs or changes that occur in a timely manner.  The Woodford County Extension Service partnered with the local Versailles Farm Service Agency Service Center and Woodford County Conservation District to offer a lunch and learn program to discuss changes to federal programs including ARC, PLC, EQIP, and CSP.  Eighteen local producers a

Full Story

CAIP Training

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Farm Management

Every year the Woodford County Agriculture Advancement Council administers the County Ag Investment Program of the Kentucky Ag Development Fund.  In 2019, the Woodford County Extension Service hosted a producer workshop designed to assist producers in filling out the application, teach applicable projects, and allow producers opportunity to complete needed documentation.  One hundred and one producers applied for funding with only 2 producers not meeting the minimum criteria for approv

Full Story

Tall Fescue Sampling

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Forages

In 2018 and 2019, the Woodford County Extension Service worked with Shadwell Farm in monitoring ergovaline levels in horse pastures to determine toxic levels to mares.  Utilizing analytical services provided by the University of Kentucky Vet Diagnostic Laboratory, levels were able to be monitored and mared managed to mitigate potential health risks.  One farm manager noted that they had potentially saved thousands of dollars of veterinary bills from reduced levels of dystocia and foal

Full Story
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