Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing Knowledge in Agriculture, Home and Community Environment
Farm, Home and Community Economic Development
Barnes 4-H, Heimgartner ANR, Tramble FCS
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Beef
Volunteer Development
Agriculture
Agriculture is Kentucky's largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky's economy. Every person is impacted by Agriculture everyday in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, work places and vehicles.
Water and soil quality and health along with compliance of chemical use is vital for agriculture. Non-compliance can impact eligibility for cost share and/or federal funding, result in legal ramification, and loss of business. Extension encourages Integrated Pest Management and promotes the Kentucky Pollinator Protection Plan.
In 2018 the National Gardening Survey indicated that 77% of American households garden in some way. Other estimates reveal that consumer horticulture and supporting industries contribute nearly $200 billion to the US economy each year and support over 2 million jobs. Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households) while interests in ornamentals remains high, particularly in the area of gardening to support pollinators and other ecological uses of plants. American gardeners will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for specific answers to their gardening questions.
Forage and Livestock management are vital to Kentucky’s Agricultural economy. As livestock margins tighten, management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in the state.
It is estimated at in 2017, Kentucky had 48,000 head of sheep, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous year. Breeding sheep and lambs were estimated at 38,000 and market sheet and lambs were estimated at 10,000 head. Lamb from increased by 3,000 between 2016 and 2017. The goat inventory decreased by 3,000 between 2016 and 2017 for an estimated 56,000 head. Milk goat (5,500 head) increased by 500 from the previous year. Crittenden County is the second highest county in the state for total small ruminant numbers
Local food continues to be in demand from consumers, restaurants, retail outlets and institutions (including schools). However, there is a disconnection between the production, processing, marketing and distribution segments of the local food system, especially for small and minority farmers. With sales from Kentucky food products expected to increase from $14 million (2014) to $24 million in 2020, Extension has resources to educate agricultural producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning, and marketing strategies to expand the local food system for the demand.
-Increase in the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, or community supported agriculture
-Increase access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets, school and other institutions
-Maintain or increase consumer confidence/ demand in local foods
-Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations
-Improved farm economic status
-Sustainability of farm
-Long term viability
-Producers save money by making better selection decisions
-Reduce expenses
-Improved herd quality
-Increased profits of operation
-Build the reputation and value of KY cattle
-Improved end product quality and food safety
-Enhanced consumer confidence
-Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise
-Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development
-Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems
-Develop an Ag Plan using decision making tools ( i.e. cost efficiency)
-Create a budget and/or marketing plan
-Diversify the types and varieties of produce grown and sold
-Apply best management practices in marketing (i.e. pricing)
-Apply food safety practices and/or procedures
Earn certification(s) for:
-selling and /or providing samples at farmer’s markets
-Home Based Microprocessing
-Better Processing Control School
-USDA GAP
-Created and market safe food products
-Apply food safety practices
-Create value added agricultural food items
-Market agricultural products locally
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
-Test forage for nutritional quality
-Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
-Implement crossbreeding program
-Make EPD and selection decisions
-Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation
-Appraise management practice changes; employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations
-Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science
-Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
-Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
-Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
-Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products
-Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems
-Locate crop profiles, decision tools and resources
-Describe advantages and disadvantages of marketing strategies (i.e. CSA, U-Pick, Farm to School, freezer beef)
-Interpret food safety handling procedures
-Understand procedures for safe food processing
-Interpret purchasing rules and regulations from contract buyers
-Research liability issues related to food safety
-Identify production methods and agricultural food products that extend the growing season (i.e. high tunnels, hydroponics)
-Participants become certified KY Master Cattleman
-Increased awareness of the following beef practices: reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general herd management, and economics and marketing
-Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science
-Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems
-Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, communications, record keeping, leadership and service
Intermediate Outcome: Test Forage for nutritional quality
Indicator: number of forage tests increase in office
Method: samples
Timeline: 2021
Initial Outcome: clients learn to identify the safety and accessibility of their homes
Indicator: how many people attend the program
Method: educational programs
Timeline: 2021-2024
Intermediate Outcome: evaluate the home to optimize safety and independence
Indicator: continued attendance of program
Method: survey
Timeline: Winter 2021-2024
Long-term Outcome: homes become more accessible
Indicator: clients change any barrier that prevents their home from being accessible and secure
Method: survey
Timeline: spring 2021-2024
Initial Outcome: Clubs and/or daycamps that provide youth with agriculture education and hands on opportunities
Indicator: Number of youth involved in clubs and programs
Method: educational programs/curriculum/visits to agriculture industries
Timeline: 2021-2024
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will apply their knowledge to start their own agriculture projects at their homes
Indicator: Number of youth involved in clubs and programs
Method: survey; educational programs/curriculum/visits to agriculture industries
Timeline: 2021-2024
Long-term Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills they can use to become productive members of society and learn the importance of agriculture to the economy
Method: survey;educational programs/curriculum/visits to agriculture industries
Timeline: 2021-2024
Initial Outcome: School Enrichment that provide youth with agriculture education and hands on opportunities
Indicator: Number of youth in the school system
Method: educational programs/curriculum
Timeline: 2021-2024
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will apply their knowledge they have learned in school to start their own agriculture projects at their homes
Indicator: Number of youth increasing agriculture projects within their home
Method: survey; educational programs/curriculum
Timeline: 2021-2024
Long-term Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills they can use to become productive members of society and learn the importance of agriculture to the economy
Method: survey; educational programs/curriculum
Timeline: 2021-2024
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Forage Contest during County Fair
Content or Curriculum: Forage publications
Inputs: specialists, agents
Date: Summer 2021
Audience: Home and Consumer Horticulturists
Project or Activity: various field days and meetings
Content or Curriculum: University Publications
Inputs: specialists, cooperating producers, agents
Date: Spring 2021-2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Clubs such as Jr. Beekeepers, Livestock, Dog,Tractor/Clubs promoting Ag Literacy within the community, Judging Contests, Skill-a-thons, Field Trips, Shows and Competitive events
Content or Curriculum: Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agent, School, Agriculture Industry, Certified Volunteers, Volunteers, Businesses
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Day camps such as Farm Safety Days and day camps at Extension Office, Programs such as YELP, School Enrichment providing Ag Literacy in the Classroom
Content or Curriculum: Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agent, School, Agriculture Industry, Certified Volunteers, Volunteers, Businesses
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: adults
Project or Activity: Microprocessing Certification
Content or Curriculum: So Easy to Preserve Videos
Inputs: agents, specialist
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: adults
Project or Activity: Food Preservation Classes
Content or Curriculum: So Easy to Preserve book, Extension Publication
Inputs: agents, specialist
Date: 2021-2024
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Buying a lawn mower is a large investment and can be confusing as to what type of mower will fit the homeowners needs the best. One Crittenden County land owner asked ANR Agent Heimgartner about the best option for her small farm property. The landowner is a senior but her son and grandson also help mow and were interested in a zero turn mower. The client was hesitant to go that option because she was concerned about using the mower herself with shoulder and hip issues. Heimgartner discussed the
Author: Leslea Barnes
Major Program: Agriculture
Crittenden County 4-H has been incorporating a chick incubation project with the 1st grade classes each year for the past 5 years. In 2020, classes went virtual, school buildings were closed to students, so this meant that the chick incubation program that students looked forward to was in jeopardy. However, thanks to modern technology and social media, the chick incubation project was still able to happen for Crittenden County 1st grade youth as well as having the opportunity for th
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Forages
Forage production accounts for a large portion of agriculture production in Crittenden County. According to the 2017 Agriculture Census almost 18,000 acres were in some type of forage production. Hay is an important part of livestock diets and the nutrition values can vary widely. Harvest height, weather conditions, forage type and other factors have an impact on hay quality. Hay nutritive values are determined by a hay quality test.For the fourth year Crittenden County Extension and Crittenden
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
According to Census data less than two percent of the US population are farmers and ranchers. Most of the population are two or more generations removed from the farm. Even though Crittenden County is considered a rural community, many community members are not aware of where their food comes from. To address the issue of bringing awareness to the importance of agriculture, Crittenden County Extension participated in events during National Ag Week.Facebook posts on ag statistics were made daily
Author: Leslea Barnes
Major Program: Agriculture
Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use, and wear on a daily basis and many youth and families are not aware how agriculture effects their lives and how important it is to their future. National Ag Day is celebrated in March each year to recognize and celebrate the contribution of agriculture to our everyday lives. It encourages Americans to understand and appreciate the role agriculture plays in our lives. Because of this, Crittenden County Extension Service wanted to take part
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Moving to a new state can be a daunting task in just acquainting yourself with new neighbors, community dynamics and general life changes; however when you are a serious gardener and those changes include climate, planting dates and most importantly the soil type it can create an even bigger challenge. This is exactly the situation a Crittenden County landowner found themselves in when they sought help out from Crittenden County Extension ANR agent Dee Heimgartner. The new client cam
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Forages
According to the 2017 Ag Census, Crittenden County has over 17,000 acres in forage production. Managing forage ground can be expensive and choosing which practice to focus on can be a frustrating decision for producers, especially when a large portion of the ground is rented. Crittenden County ANR agent has worked with one family to help make these decisions utilizing resources from the Cooperative Extension Office.The family started using their local office for forage quality testing. After the
