Increasing Crop Production in Green CountyPlan of Work

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Green County CES

Title:
Increasing Crop Production in Green County
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Ricky Arnett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Tobacco
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Situation:

With the sharp decrease in prices over the last year, grain production has decreased slightly in Green County. With the production of grain being stable and prices being lower has had a large effect on the economy of central Kentucky. The Green County Extension Council has set a priority on helping farmers to learn to increase yields, decrease input cost, by being more efficient than before.

Forages may not have the largest economic impact but is the largest crop in Green County and is the most important crop to our livestock producers. Producing better forages through timing and weed management is a goal the Ag Advisory Council wants to see met.

Tobacco production is still a very large part of Green County's agricultural economic structure. With over 5 million pounds still grown in our county it is over $10 million in farm income. Although tobacco production is decreasing the council has set tobacco as a priority to help increase yields and decrease inputs to help keep tobacco a stable production.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers will seek out assistance from extension resources before making decisions. Famers will accomplish on-farm what they have learned and seen demonstrated resulting in controlled costs and greater returns.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Make educated decisions demonstrating their knowledge of plant physiology and growth stages. They will be able to use practices such as: soil testing and fertilizing according to results, appropriate tillage drainage methods to avoid compaction, appropriate plant populations and row widths.


Cropping systems will be developed to reduce weed, disease, wildlife, and environmental impact utilizing pesticides.


Farmers will investigate marketing strategies allowing them to take advantages of price premiums and giving them marketing variables rather than being locked in to regional prices

Initial Outcomes:

Demonstrate increased knowledge in areas of: soils, crop development, marketing, management, storage, and information management.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producer participation in educational programs

Indicator: Programs and educational materials being distributed

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Producers implementing new production and marketing strategies

Indicator: Participation in new and alternate market venues

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually

ally

Long-term Outcome: Increase yields and house hold income

Indicator: Yields increase and production cost decrease

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Tobacco Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Tobacco Meeting & GAP Training

Content or Curriculum: Ky Tobacco Guide and GAP

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, GAP, Sponsors

Date: Winter 2020/21


Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Forage Testing

Content or Curriculum: KY Forage Testing Lab

Inputs: Dept. of Ag Forage Lab

Date: Summer 2020/21


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Soil Testing

Content or Curriculum: Soil Analysis and Fertilize Recommendations

Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Phase I Cost Share

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Agent, Cattlemen's Association, Staff

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification

Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program

Inputs: Agent, Specialists, UK Publications

Date: Spring 2021


Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Grain Crops Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Marketing and research updates

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: Winter 2020/21


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Weed and Disease Identification

Content or Curriculum: Situation Control

Inputs: Agent, Staff, Specialists, UK Regulatory Services

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Strategic Marketing Program

Content or Curriculum: Understanding Grain Markets

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Green County Grain Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Grain Technologies update

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Sponsors

Date: Fall 2020


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Agriculture Development Council

Content or Curriculum: Planning the Investment of Local Phase I Dollars

Inputs: Agent, Ag Development Council

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Silage Plots

Content or Curriculum: Analysis on Corn Varieties

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors, Volunteers

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Estate Planning

Content or Curriculum: Planning for the Future

Inputs: Agent, Sponsor

Date: Fall 2020



Success Stories

Cereal Rye Project

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Grains

As an Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources myself and other agents across the state were contacted by American Farmland Trust to participate in a cereal rye project being conduct by American Farmland Trust and University of Kentucky Extension Service for research. Myself along with other agents across the state was selected to participate. This project allowed producers to participate and gain knowledge within the rye industry with minimal risk. Green County’s produce

Full Story
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