Extension
It Starts With Us
Market Opportunities
Agricultural and Environmental
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
Horticulture, Commercial
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Hemp
Economic Development
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.
An increase in farm revenue and input efficiency. Financial stability of farming operations.
Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.
Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.
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
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
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
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
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
