Mason County CES

Title:

Crop Production

MAP:

Crop Production

Agents Involved:

Tad Campbell

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Sustainable Agriculture

Situation:

With the agriculture diversity in Mason County coupled with a desired heritage tobacco production in the county, focusing on crop sustainability and enhancements to continue to generate farm income will offset any one major income producing sector. Forages for pasture/hay and cash hay become more prevalent with the economics of other commodities. Grain and tobacco production continue to generate farm income, but at a lesser scale than years past. Building a strong forage management mentality will work hand in hand with the large livestock production sector in the county. Producers in the community look for efficient productive means for forage development and sustainability as well as other possible alternative such as Hemp and bio-mass for forms of education pilots and income generating avenues.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Producers will be able to utilize technology to become more efficient with production expenses to lower volume input costs while maintaining environmentally sound conservation practices.

Participants will be able to manage forages to allow for increased carrying capacities, higher yields, and higher quality for operational use or cash sales.

Increase market and production opportunities for new crops such as Hemp and other non-traditional crops to provide added income to Mason County farm operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers will be able to adapt technology such as GPS monitoring for chemical and fertilizer applications to become more efficient.

Producers will do more soil tests for farms to add the proper amount of fertilization needed for a specific crop.

Tobacco producers will utilize proper varieties to help reduce disease pressure during production.

Rotational grazing will be adapted to provide adequate rest times for each field.

Producers will follow pesticide safety protocols gained during certification and from the label instructions to reduce risk of exposure.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will gain knowledge of crop varieties to enhance production efficiencies.

Producers will gain knowledge of storage capabilities that can add value to crops.

Producers will gain knowledge on dividing pasture fields for rotational grazing to improve forage quantity and quality.

Producers will gain knowledge on pesticide safety and why it is important to all on the operation.

Producers will learn about using better varieties to improve forage quality and yield.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowledge of crop varieties to enhance production efficiencies.

Indicator: Word of mouth from producers

Method: Post evaluations

Timeline: immediately after program

Intermediate Outcome: Producers will follow pesticide safety protocols gained during certification and from the label instructions to reduce risk of exposure.

Indicator: Observe producers using correct protocols

Method: Physically observe producers and/or follow up evaluations

Timeline: 3-6 months after program

Long-term Outcome: Producers will do more soil tests for farms to add the proper amount of fertilization needed for a specific crop.

Indicator: Rise in amount of soil tests

Method: Observe amount of soil tests 

Timeline: weekly, monthly, yearly

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: farmers

Project or Activity: Corn silage variety test plot 

Content or Curriculum: UK research based information

Inputs: ANR Agent, local farm

Date: every Spring/Fall

Audience: farmers

Project or Activity: Agronomy Day

Content or Curriculum: UK research based information

Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists

Date: every February

Audience: tobacco farmers

Project or Activity: Tobacco production/GAP

Content or Curriculum: UK research based information

Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists

Date: early spring

Audience: farmers

Project or Activity: Master Grazer/ Grazing Program

Content or Curriculum: UK research based information

Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists

Date: early spring

Success Stories