Farm ProfitablityPlan of Work

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Owsley County CES

Title:
Farm Profitablity
MAP:
Agriculture & Environment
Agents Involved:
Paul Sizemore
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
Situation:

Owsley County is a small agrarian county located in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Over the last decade tobacco production has decreased more than 90% therefore leaving only about 300,000 pounds county wide. Many producers have diversified their operations by implementing other practices or commodities such as an increased number of livestock and increased acreage for vegetable production for home and commercial Horticulture. Other crops grown in Owsley County include cabbage, pepper, strawberries, corn, brambles, forages and various fruit trees. Animals produced in Owsley County include beef cattle, horses, goats and some small scale swine and poultry operations. Agriculture still remains one of the top ten industries in Owsley County. The Owsley County Extension Council and Agriculture and Natural Resources Council have directed us to address the above issues in terms of diversification into small and large scale production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults. Mainly directed to those individuals involved or with an interest in livestock, crops, fruit and vegetable production both commercially or family based.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Agricultural producers will manage their operations in a more profitable manner as well as increase the quality of the products they are producing.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*An increase in necessary management skills being used.

*An increased understanding of pesticide usage.

*An increase in the diversity of agriculture operations will occur.


Initial Outcomes:

*Understanding the importance of diversity in small enterprises.

*Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.

*Knowledge of new and improved management skills for increased profitability.

*Understanding the direct market approach.


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Number of participants that diversify their agricultural operations

Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.

Method: Observations and surveys

Timeline: Fiscal Year 2020-2021


Intermediate Outcome: Number of participants that utilize new management skills.

Indicator: Percent of program participants that show changes.

Method: Observations and surveys

Timeline: After program conclusion and time for implementation 2020-2021.


Long-term Outcome:Number of participants that increase their farm profitability.

Indicator:Percentage of program participants that show changes.

Method:Observations and surveys

Timeline:Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:Beef Cattle Producers.

Project or Activity:Producers Meetings.

Content or Curriculum:Feeding, Reproduction, Forages, Health, Record Keeping and General Management.

Inputs:Agent and Guests Speakers.

Date:Spring and Fall Meetings.


Audience:Interested Consumers

Project or Activity:Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum:Curing a Country Ham.

Inputs:Agent Led Program.

Date:Winter 2021


Audience:Farmers/Producers

Project or Activity:Educational Programs for The Agriculture Development Program.

Content or Curriculum:Hay Storage, Equipment Storage, Beef Quality Assurance

Inputs:Agent Led

Date:Throughout the year 2020-2021


Audience: Farmers and Producers

Project or Activity: Agriculture Production Programs.

Content or Curriculum: Various Agriculture and Economic Related Issues and Sustainable Agriculture.

Inputs: Agent and Specialist.

Date: Throughout the year 2020-2021 as Needed.


Audience: Farmers, Producers and Landowners.

Project or Activity: Conservation Programs.

Content or Curriculum: Soil Sampling, Cost Share Programs and Related Issues.

Inputs: Agent and Guest Speakers.

Date: Spring and Fall 2020-2021.


Audience: Farmers, Producers and Landowners

Project or Activity: Farmers Market

Content or Curriculum: Farmers Registration, Training for Market Programs FARMACY, Senior Vouchers and Wic. Marketing and Marketing Techniques.

Inputs: Agent, Specialist and Guest Speakers

Date: Summer 2020





Success Stories

Farmers Market During A Pandemic

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Owsley County Farmers Market was in the process of finalizing plans for the 2020 market season, most all vendors had been through the annual training and were tying up any loose ends when all of a sudden a World Pandemic has been declared due to the spread of the Coronavirus. As we waited for instruction and the opening day got closer, the responsible thing to do was arrange a meeting with our local Health Department and our vendors to seek guidance on how to proceed. Vendors were given inst

Full Story

Turf Management Workshop - Zoom

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Chemical Management

Each fall, the Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service hosts a meeting for commercial pesticide applicators to help them receive Continuing Education Units so that they can keep their licenses from year to year.  With COVID 19 disrupting in-person meetings, the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent started searching for a ZOOM meeting for the Owsley County applicators, we were successful in joining as a watch party with Spencer and many other counties in November.  Topics for the

Full Story

Small Farm Diversification

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Farm diversification has become a must to compete in the ever changing market place of agriculture. Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service conducted a workshop to help farmers diversify their operations and find resources to assist in developing infrastructure at their operations. Owsley County Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Kentucky Sate Small Farm Program worked with farmers to obtain High Tunnels and other Projects that would help them to Diversify.&nbs

Full Story

Group Plant Order

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Eastern Kentucky has very few resources for locally grown fruit plants at a reasonable price.  The Extension Agents of 22 counties and Wise County Virginia come together each year to do a bulk order of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, asparagus and candy onion transplants. The combination of that many orders makes it possible for deep discounts to the customer.    For example if a customer only wants 50 strawberry plant and orders directly from the nursery the cost is

Full Story

Mountain Monday Series

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Small Farm Diversification

The zoom series began on February 1 and continued through the end of April. Topics were: Small Ruminant Management, Preparing for Spring Gardening, Calving & Calf Health, Farm Management Strategies for Improved Decision Making, Diagnosing Problems in the Home Lawn, Fruit Tree Grafting, Produce Best Practice Training, Marketing at the Farmers Market, Raised Bed Gardening, and Pond Management. Fruit Tree Growers Workshop, Mushrooming & Foraging 101, and Wilderness Safety & First Aid. T

Full Story
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