Market OpportunitiesPlan of Work

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Woodford County CES

Title:
Market Opportunities
MAP:
Agricultural and Environmental
Agents Involved:
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Hemp
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Economic Development
Situation:

In 2017, the National Agriculture Statistics Service has reported that 57% of Woodford County farms showed a financial loss despite an increase in cash receipts. Crops, livestock, and horticulture enterprises are all very important to the Woodford County agriculture economy and programs designed to improve productivity and profitability of these enterprises is essential. Educational and community development programs that not only address production practices, but marketing and risk management tools for farms is needed.

Long-Term Outcomes:

An increase in farm revenue and input efficiency. Financial stability of farming operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.

Initial Outcomes:

Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Increase in farm revenue and principal operators whose primary occupation is farming.

Indicator: Agriculture Statistics

Method: Observation

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.

Indicator: Statement/Observation

Method: Personal Interviews

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.

Indicator: Attendance records

Method: Observation

Timeline: Monthly


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families

Project or Activity: Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Test plot observation, pasture walks, current agriculture topics

Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, specialist's time, program support funds

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families

Project or Activity: Educational Programs

Content or Curriculum: Livestock, Equine,Crop Production, and Risk Management Meetings 

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, Specialist's time, program support funds, Woodford Co. Beef Cattle Association, Farm Bureau

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing

Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, University of Kentucky Specialists, Woodford Co. Commercial Kitchen, 

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Farm to School Local Food Purchasing/Sampling products in classroom

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing

Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, University of Kentucky Specialists, Woodford Co. Commercial Kitchen, 

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Scale Certification

Content: KDA guidelines

Input: KDA Regulatory Specialist, Horticulture Agent

Date: Spring


Audience: Farmers/Landowners

Activity: Producer Best Practices Training

Content: UK & KDA Curriculum

Input: UK specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Horticulture Agent

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers/Landowners

Activity: Microprocessing Training

Content: UK & KDA Curriculum

Input: UK specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Local Agent

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Local Foods Directory Website

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing to Promote Local Foods

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant's time

Date: Annually




Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Funding Resources for Farmers

Content or Curriculum: Educational program

Inputs: Phase I Cost-share programs, farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, , Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Woodford County Conservation District

Date: Annually



Success Stories

Virtual Funding Resources for Farmers Workshop

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Funding resources for farmers are often crucial to starting a new farm business and even sustaining an existing one. The Woodford County Extension Service receives many inquiries from clientele asking about grants, loans, and cost share opportunities to help offset the costs of either starting their farm business or expanding, sustaining, and/or diversifying their current operation. With many of the travel and health restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Woodford County Extensi

Full Story

Woodford FoodNet - Connecting local farmers to consumers

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Local Food Systems

A concern in the midst of the Covid19 pandemic was that there might be instability in our national food system. This created a surge of interest to purchase local foods. In response to this, the Woodford County Horticulture Agent worked with Master Gardeners and a group of community volunteers to create a website featuring foods produced in Woodford County called the Woodford FoodNet. The goal of the website is to connect local farmers and processors to the local community and beyond. The s

Full Story

Kentucky Beef Conference Keeps Producers Informed Despite Pandemic

Author: T. Adam Probst

Major Program: Beef

In order to prepare producers to be efficient and profitable, Central Kentucky County Extension Agents for Agriculture & Natural Resources have collaborated with Beef and Agricultural Economic Extension Specialists to present the Kentucky Beef Conference annually for over 20 years. The assistance of long time business community sponsors has allowed producers to hear from nationally known experts in cattle marketing. COVID-19 restrictions forced the team to re-evaluate how to continue pr

Full Story
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