Market, technology,horticulture,livestock, wildlife ,management Development Plan of Work

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Owen County CES

Title:
Market, technology,horticulture,livestock, wildlife ,management Development
MAP:
Sustainable Production and Marketing of Agriculture Products
Agents Involved:
FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Situation:

Located in the center of the "Golden Triangle," Owen County is within an hour's drive of the major urban markets of Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington. Owen County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the emerging direct marketing, locally sourced food movement. A growing number of vegetable, fruit, berry and cut-flower producers are marketing their products in farmers markets in these urban centers. New technologies are being tested and demonstrated to increase production, improve quality and bring produce to market earlier.

Long-Term Outcomes:

* Successful home and commercial projects will serve as models and teaching tools for others

* Increased home horticulture production will result in family food dollars saved and healthier meals

* Commercial producers will have increased profitability due to improved production and marketing

* Increase home horticulture in and around the home for families

Intermediate Outcomes:

* Participants will begin implements new technologies to increase or enhance harvest

* Participants will begin exploring new marketing outlets

* Participants will begin making changes in practices around the home 

Initial Outcomes:

* Participants will be exposed to a variety of productions methods such as raised beds, plastic mulching, high tunnels, drip irrigation, greenhouses and hydroponics

* Participants will explore various marketing options such as roadside marketing, farmers markets, marketing to wholesalers and internet marketing.

* Participants will explore ways to change their home surrounding

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of improved production technologies and marketing opportunities

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations related to home and commercial horticulture

Method: pre/post-tests, phone conversations

Timeline: April-May  (2020-2024)


Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of new technologies and participation in new marketing opportunities

Indicator: Number of producers utilizing new technologies and marketing opportunities introduced by Extension

Method: Phone calls, Home and farm visits, questionnaires

Timeline: June, (2020-2024)


Long-term Outcome: New horticulture production systems which are profitable serve as teaching tools for others

Indicator: Number of homeowners and producers self-reporting an increase in profits as a result of adopting one or more practices recommended by Extension

Method: Surveys, home, and farm visits

Timeline: Ongoing (2020-2024)

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Current and potential home gardeners

Project or Activity: Home Gardening Class

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: UK Consumer Horticulture Specialist, video presentation,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: March 2020-2024


Audience: Current and potential commercial horticulture producers

Project or Activity: Commercial Greenhouse Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: UK Horticulture Specialists, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: May 2020-2024


Audience: Commercial Horticulture producers

Project or Activity: Sharing new marketing opportunities with producers

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: Newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: Ongoing 2020-2024


Audience:  Home Owners, Woodlot Owners, and Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Beginning and Intermediate Beekeeping Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Research-based information, U.K. publications

Inputs: KDA and State Beekeeping Association Representatives, Newsletters, Direct Mailing, Newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: September 2020-2024


Audience: Landowners with woodlots

Project or Activity: Marketing Forest Products Webinar

Content or Curriculum: Research-based webinar presentations

Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: October 2020-2024


Audience: Landowners with woodlots

Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushroom Production Training

Content or Curriculum: Research-based video presentations

Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: November 2020-2024


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Home Horticulture 

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: Northern KY Horticulture Extension Agents,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: February 2020-2024



Success Stories

Talking Taxes

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

On February 15th, 2021, the Owen County Cooperative Extension Service hosted a statewide webinar series on agriculture financials. During this meeting we had over 20 participants from all over the state participate. During this meeting they learned about CFAP payments available. Over 30% of participants recorded learning about this available money. Participants also learned about what to report on their schedule F on taxes. One participant learned about how equipment trade in effects their tax r

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I spy with my bovine eye

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Beef

I spy with my bovine eye Summer brings the warm weather and sunshine. But for many producers across Kentucky, especially Owen County it brings the plague of pinkeye in cattle. In May the Owen County Extension Office partnered with United Producers Inc UPI) of Owenton to begin a brunch and learn series. The Owen County Ag Agent, Kendal Bowman, partnered with the UPI yard manager, Robert Green Jr., to address some timely monthly topics to educate local producers. In May to kick off the monthl

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