Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening Agriculture Production, Management, and Marketing Skills
Strengthening Agriculture Production, Management, and Marketing Skills
Traci Missun, Kelly Woods
Beef
Equine
Forages
Agriculture
Farms make up a little less than half of the land in Oldham County. Farms here include a wide variety of enterprises, including grain crops, livestock, horses, hay and pasture, nurseries, greenhouses, poultry, fish and shellfish. With growth of Farmers Markets and Community Supported Agriculture locations, there has also been growth in vegetable, sheep and poultry production over the last 10 years, according to the 2017 Ag Census. Data gathered in the 2019 Oldham County Assessment shows that county residents are concerned with the need for more farm-related jobs, more market opportunities for farmers and better sustainability of family farms. Residents also believe that there needs to be more awareness and support for agriculture and agribusinesses.
The Oldham County Extension Council and Ag Advisory Councils reviewed county needs and identified Agriculture Production, Business Management and Marketing as top priorities in educational programming. These skills are necessary for producers to be financially viable individually, and also to support the county's economy as a whole. Production programs also meet the needs of many residents who desire to produce their own food.
Participants will experience long-term viability in farming.
Participants will reduce expenses and/or increase profits of farm operations.
Youth will become agriculturally literate.
Participants will implement recommended production practices to successfully produce food and agriculture products.
Participants will implement recommended forage management practices to increase utilization of forages and reduce dependency on purchased feeds and hay.
Participants will use information about local market opportunities to sell products.
Youth will utilize and practice life skills in agricultural projects, clubs and life situations.
Participants will indicate understanding of research-based production practices.
Participants will recognize the importance of forage management practices.
Participants will have increased awareness of new marketing opportunities.
Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, critical thinking, and wise use of resources relating to agriculture.
Initial Outcome: Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, critical thinking, and wise use of resources relating to agriculture.
Indicator: Youth participate in an agriculture related project.
Method: 4-H Common Measure Experience Survey
Timeline: June 2021
Initial Outcome: Participants will indicate understanding of research-based production practices. Participants will recognize the importance of forage management practices. Participants will have increased awareness of new marketing opportunities.
Indicator: Participants self-reporting
Method: Post-program evaluations (use UK provided evaluations when applicable)
Timeline: Following completion of programs
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will utilize and practice life skills in agricultural projects, clubs and life situations.
Indicator: Youth complete agriculture related project.
Method: 4-H Common Measure Experience Survey
Timeline: June 2021
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will implement recommended production practices to successfully produce food and agriculture products. Participants will implement recommended forage management practices to increase utilization of forages and reduce dependency on purchased feeds and hay. Participants will use information about local market opportunities to sell products.
Indicator: Producers self-reporting
Method: Post-program evaluations (use UK provided evaluations when applicable)
Timeline: 3 – 9 months post-program
Long-term Outcome: Youth will become agriculturally literate.Indicator: Youth plan and implement an agricultural related project.
Method: 4-H Common Measure Experience Survey
Timeline: June 2021
Long-term Outcome: Producer participants will experience long-term viability in farming. Participants will reduce expenses and/or increase profits of farm operations.
Indicator: Producers self-reporting
Method: Post-program evaluations (use UK provided evaluations when applicable)
Timeline: 3 – 12 months post-program
Audience: 4-H Members age 9 to 18
Project or Activity: Horse Club Educational sessions
Content or Curriculum: Horse Educational Kit, Content identified by 4-H Club
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Certified Volunteers
Date: July 2020- Jun 2021
Audience: 4-H Members age 9 to 18
Project or Activity: Dog Club Educational sessions
Content or Curriculum: Dog Educational Kit, Content identified by 4-H Club
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Certified Volunteers
Date: July 2020- Jun 2021
Audience: 4-H Members age 9 to 18
Project or Activity: Poultry Club Educational sessions
Content or Curriculum: Poultry Educational Kit, Content identified by 4-H Club
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Volunteers
Date: July 2020- Jun 2021
Audience: 4-H Members age 9 to 18
Project or Activity: Rabbit Club Educational sessions
Content or Curriculum: Rabbit Educational Kit, Content identified by 4-H Club
Inputs: 4-H Staff, 4-H Volunteers
Date: July 2020- Jun 2021
Audience: Horse Owners and Farm Managers
Project or Activity: Master Horseman
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Equine materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agents, UK Horse Specialist, Local Experts
Date: October-November 2020
Audience: Producers and Consumers
Project or Activity: Oldham County Ag Connection (Agriculture Education for producers and consumers; concentration on local food, plus all Oldham County Agriculture Activity)
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Extension materials; Producer Stories; Ag Census Data; KY Department of Agriculture resources
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Local Producers, Local Experts/Guest Speakers
Date: Quarterly meetings beginning September 2020
Audience: Livestock/Horse Producers
Project or Activity: Pasture Seeding & Management (Pastures Please)
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Forages
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, UK Forage Specialist
Date: March 2021
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Regional Beef Field Day (team effort of Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Trimble Ag Agents)
Content or curriculum: UK Extension Resources
Inputs: Agriculture Agents, UK Specialists, Farm Hosts, Other local experts
Date: October 2020
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Oldham County Cattlemen's Association meetings - all meetings include educational speaker
Content or curriculum: UK Extension and other related agency information
Inputs: Agriculture Agents, UK Specialists, Farm Hosts, Other local experts
Date: Meets Quarterly 2020-2021
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality & Care Assurance Certification/Cattle Handling and Care Certification
Content or curriculum: UK Extension materials and videos
Inputs: Agriculture Agent
Date: Offered online; in-person training Winter 2021
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training/Certification
Content or curriculum: UK Extension materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agent
Date: Offered online; in-person training Winter 2021
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training
Content or curriculum: UK Extension materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agent
Date: Offered online
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Agriculture
Moving Beyond Take Home Educational KitsWhen school returned to virtual and in person instruction Oldham County 4-H members were ready to get back to some form of traditional programming. 4-H members were ready to reconnect and striving for social interaction. 4-H Staff and Volunteers were not permitted to visit schools for in person instruction, all lessons were conducted virtually thru the school’s platform. The School Club Program involves in person and virtual learning class
Author: Traci Johnson
Major Program: Grains
University of Kentucky researchers have been looking at cereal rye as a crop for Kentucky farmers for the past several years. Known and used as a cover crop, cereal rye is now being looked at as a potential income source for farming operations. On-farm research is being conducted to test agronomic practices and to show that Kentucky can be a reliable rye source for distillers, bakers, and millers. Oldham County is located to many nearby distillers, and in 2013, a craft distille
Author: Traci Johnson
Major Program: Chemical Management
Many farmers participate in training at Oldham County Extension in order to obtain a Private Pesticide Applicator License. This certification is good for three years and allows them to apply pesticides on their farm crops. The training focuses on pesticide laws, understanding labels, understanding pest resistance, and safe use of pesticides for farmers and for the environment.Training is normally held in person at Extension Offices during winter and early spring months as
Author: Traci Johnson
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Programs and services that strengthen farming operations are a priority for the Oldham County Extension and Agriculture Councils. Like many counties, Oldham hosts many types of agriculture enterprises. Equine Operations lead Oldham County in the market value of products sold at over 6.3 million dollars. Pasture makes up one-third of available farmland and provides grazing for livestock. Additionally, hay leads all crops in acreage, according to the 2017 Census of Agricult
Author: Traci Johnson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Producers in Oldham County and across Kentucky often need specific services and certifications to enable them to market their farm products. Despite difficulties created by the pandemic, a combination of individual and small group training and service was offered to meet these needs.Twenty-one producers completed certifications and had access to services that enabled them to sell their farm products. The Oldham County Agriculture Extension Agent provided training, with assistance fro
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Agriculture
Ballardsville High Riders Horse Club of Oldham County provides the opportunity for 4-H members to develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship and other desirable traits of character. 4-H members enhance their horsemanship knowledge, skills and develop an understanding of the equine business of breeding, raising and training.The changes brought on by 2020 did not stop the club from continuing their journey. The club hosted a monthly educational virtual meeting many taught b
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Agriculture
The lack of understanding of the food we eat and where that food comes from creates a disconnect for the young people in our community. One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life. Oldham County 4-H and EFNEP program partnered with Highpoint Charitable Services to bring a gardening experience to 21 youth, 95% of which were of Hispanic ethnicity. Sixty Herb Garden Kits were assembled and
