Marketing, Diversifying, and Managing Local AgriculturePlan of Work

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Estill County CES

Title:
Marketing, Diversifying, and Managing Local Agriculture
MAP:
Local Foods and Sustainable Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Eric Baker, 4-H agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Small Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forages
Situation:
Due to lower commodity prices and higher input prices, farms need to diversify and become more efficient in order to insulate against prolonged suppressed pricing.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Stabilize farm incomes using improved marketing techniques, development of a robust local food economy, and diversified enterprises.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Farmers and community members will adopt new technologies and practices based on research by land grant universities that encourage the use of local products, local marketing, practical risk management plans, and smart diversification.
Initial Outcomes:
Increase knowledge, and skills in production techniques, and marketing tools.
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge, and skills in production techniques, and marketing tools.

Indicator: Use of marketing tools

Method: Inverviews

Timeline: Fall 2020


Intermediate Outcome: The adoption of new technologies to encourage local marketing.

Indicator: Increased awareness of local food systems in the local community

Method: Increased use of local food market

Timeline: Summer 2021


Long-term Outcome: Development of a robust local food economy

Indicator: stable, diverse local food market

Method: frequency of Farmers Market days and number of vendors

Timeline: Fall 2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Crop Production Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: Winter


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Livestock Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All year


Audience: Community members/ youth

Project or Activity: Horticulture Meetings

Content or Curriculum:

Date: Winter/Spring


Audience: Youth/Farmers

Project or Activity: Farm Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: Summer/Fall


Audience: Community members/ youth

Project or Activity: Vocational Technology Center Cooperation

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All Year


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Forage Management

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: Winter/Spring


Audience: youth

Project or Activity: Animal Science Project Group/Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: September-May


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: C.A.I.P Cost Share Program

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All Year


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All Year


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Agriculture Marketing

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All year


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: BQCA Training

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All Year


Audience: Community members/ youth

Project or Activity: Forest Management

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All Year


Audience: Farmers/ Youth

Project or Activity: Farm Tours/ Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All Year


Audience: Farmers/ Youth

Project or Activity: Small Farm Management 

Content or Curriculum: Education

Date: All Year


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Gardening Options for Everyone

Content or Curriculum: Homemakers

Inputs: Agents

Date: August




Success Stories

Estill County Farm Flood Relief

Author: Eric Baker

Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

After three major winter storms in late February and heavy rains through March 1st, Estill County experienced historic flooding along the Kentucky River and tributaries. Flood stage topped 41.1 feet which shattered the longstanding 1939 record of 39.4 feet. Access to the City of Irvine was lost due to flooded roads. At least 200 homes sustained damage and hundreds of acres of farms were flooded. Farm losses included livestock, equipment, vehicles, hay, fences, and other farm supplies. In additio

Full Story

Low-cost berry, asparagus, and onion plants help local producers

Author: Eric Baker

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Eastern Kentucky has limited availability for locally grown fruit plants at an economical price. Each year, Estill County horticulture enthusiasts are very interested in growing berries for home use and marketing. In response, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service of Estill County joined other county offices to order berry plants and asparagus. County Extension Agents of 22 counties and Wise County Virginia collaborate to make a bulk order of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blu

Full Story

Estill County Fall Victory Garden Grab-n-Go

Author: Eric Baker

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Restrictions of the COVID19 pandemic gave many people more time at home and renewed interest in growing home vegetables for their family. With increased questions about growing a garden, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Estill County ANR agent developed a Fall Victory Garden Grab-n-Go event. With assistance from the SNAP-Ed assistant, a SNAP farmer’s market mesh bag was assembled with gardening information and related incentive items to distribute to citizens first-come-fir

Full Story
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