Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial Production
Competitive Agriculture
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
Commercial Horticulture
Grain Crops
Beef
4-H Volunteer Programming
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.
An increase in farm revenue and input efficiency. Financial stability of farming operations.
Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.
Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.
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
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
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
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
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
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
