Extension
It Starts With Us
Traditional Crop Production
Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability
Christin Herbst, Joyce Doyle, Cathy Jansen
Forages
Grain Crops
Woodland Education
Chemical Crop Management Tools
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Carroll County has 278 farms consisting of 53,562 total acres (61.09% of the total county acreage). The market value of products sold was reported to be $6,441,000 (20% increase from 2007). Crop sales contributed 70% ($4,503,000) of the total value.
The National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) reports the following individual crop sales:
Grains: $2,209,000
Hay: $1,264,000
Tobacco: $895,000
NASS also estimates the following production in Carroll County in 2015: 3,350 tons of alfalfa hay, 24,900 tons of all other hay, 171,000 bushels of corn, and 97,900 bushels of soybeans. In 2014, NASS estimated 560,000 pounds of burley tobacco produced.
Traditional crop production is an important element of agriculture production in Carroll County, and managing it correctly is essential to the success of other production systems in the county, as well as environmental protection.
Agriculture representatives of the County Extension Council, County Agricultural Development Council, and County Cattlemen’s Association as well as day-to-day clientele have identified forage production, grain production, and forestry as priorities for Extension programming in traditional crop production.
• Maximize profits for traditional crop producers.
• Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, and water.
• Producers adopt best management practices through taking proper soil samples, following fertilizer and lime recommendations, and utilizing pesticides as directed through Extension Programming.
• Producers adopt proper methods and new technology for traditional crop production.
• Producers use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease, and weeds.
• Producers learn about the proper way to take soil samples and utilize pesticides.
• Producers increase understanding of best management practices.
Outcome:
Long term
Indicator:
Increase in crop cash receipts for traditional crops.
Method:
NASS information from the Kentucky Field Office—County summary given for each year.
Timeline:
2 – 4 years
Outcome:
Intermediate
Indicator:
More soil samples are taken in the fall. More people involved in Pesticide Training.
Method:
Amount of soil samples coming into the office. Increased number of Private Pesticide Applicator Certification holders.
Timeline:
1 – 1 ½ years
Outcome:
Initial
Indicator:
Increased participation in learning workshops and classes.
Method:
Attendance Sheets
Timeline:
8 months – 2 years
Audience:
Carroll County Traditional Crop and Horticulture Producers
Activity:
Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification
Content or Curriculum:
UK Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Program
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time
Date:
January 24, 2017
February 16, 2017
January/February 2018
January/February 2019
January/February 2020
Audience:
Carroll County Traditional Crop Producers
Activity:
Traditional Crop Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum:
Focus on the production techniques of grain (corn and soybeans), tobacco, and forage (alfalfa, grasses, and specialty forages)
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time
Date:
Winter/Spring 2018
Winter/Spring 2019
Winter/Spring 2020
Audience:
Carroll County Tobacco Producers
Activity:
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training
Content or Curriculum:
University of Kentucky and GAP Connections
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, GAP Connections, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
March 30, 2017
Winter/Spring 2018
Winter/Spring 2019
Winter/Spring 2020
Audience:
Carroll County Traditional Crop Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Traditional Crop Field Day
Content or Curriculum:
Spotlight model producers around the community
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
Summer/Fall 2019 (Forage Field Day)
Audience:
Carroll County Traditional Crop Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Educational Material (Publications, etc.) Made Available
Content or Curriculum:
Best management practices, field guides, etc.
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
Audience:
Carroll County Traditional Crop Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Development of the Traditional Crop Portion of the County Website
Content or Curriculum:
Online information pertaining to crop production
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
Author: Christin Herbst
Major Program: Forages
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Carroll County has 53,562 acres of land in 278 farms. 11,514 acres (across 194 farms) are in hay and forages. All livestock producers in the county deal with two things—forages and manure. These two things are intertwined. The quality of one affects the quality of the other, and so it is extremely important to make sure both are high quality, and to utilize those resources correctly.To improve quality, a producer must fir
