Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Livestock Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley, Mandi Broderick
Forages
Beef
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Food Preservation
Lewis County is home to 676 farms operating on 117,955 acres with the average farm size being 174 acres. The County Extension Council and the Agriculture Advisory Committee identified crop and livestock production as major components of Lewis County agriculture production. To increase profits it is important for farms to be efficient and increase yield as well as diversify. Youth need to recognize the impact that agriculture has on our daily lives as well as agriculture in the commonwealth. It is also important that farm families are able to save money and add value to their products and utilizing food preservation techniques allow them to do that.
Profits will be sustained during tough economic times and increased during strong markets. Producers will get a premium price for their products.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Lewis Countians will be able to market/sell locally produced garden products that have been safely preserved.
Youth and farmers will improve cow/calf operations by using better genetics, improved feed efficiencies, record keeping, and animal health.
Youth and adults will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food in the areas of animal science.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Lewis Countians will safely preserve fresh, locally grown food products.
Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and sustainable food systems in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth will learn valuable skills including decision making, record-keeping and leadership skills.
Lewis Countians will learn to safely and properly preserve food products.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Knowledge and skills will be gained in the area of food production.
Method: Self Reporting and Project books
Timeline: Fall 2019
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Youth will turn in record books and be able to offer reasons during showmanship.
Method:Observation
Timeline: Fall 2019
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Lewis Countians learn to safely preserve fresh, local food products.
Method: Observation
Timeline: Fall 2019
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Change in data collected before and after East Ky Beef IRM Project.
Method: Data from Eastern Kentucky Beef IRM Project
Timeline: Fall 2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Youth Livestock Club participants will explain role of agriculture to 5th graders during Field Day.
Method: Observation
Timeline: Fall 2019
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: There are fewer disqualified preserved items at the county fair due to improper techniques used.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Profits are sustained or increased during tough economic times.
Method: Agent interviews and number of farms are maintained in the county.
Timeline: Winter 2020
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Profits are obtained by selling canned goods at the Farmers Market and other eligible venues.
Method: Self reporting and observation
Timeline: Summer 2021
Audience: Cow/Calf Operators
Project or Activity: East Ky. Beef IRM
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum on beef production
Inputs: agent time, UK specialist time, and Ky. Beef Network
Date: Winter 2019
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Fencing School
Content or Curriculum: Laws regarding fencing, properly building a permanent fence, and benefits of electric fences.
Inputs: Local farm stores, Ky Dept. of Agriculture, UK Extension agent, Fencing manufacturers.
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Women Farm Managers
Project or Activity: Farm School for Women
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum and USDA
Inputs: Ag. Agent time, USDA office time, local farm businesses
Date: Fall 2018
Audience: Youth Livestock participants
Project or Activity: Livestock Projects, feeder calf, hogs, lambs, and goats
Content or Curriculum: 4-H approved core curriculum for livestock
Inputs: 4-H curriculum, club leader volunteer, volunteer time, 4-H agent time, program assistant time, ag. agent time.
Date: Fall 2018
Audience: Lewis County 5th graders
Project or Activity: Youth Field Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Kit and curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent time, Ag. Agent time, Program Assistant Time, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Woodmen of the World, Local farmers, Livestock project participants.
Date: Fall 2018
Audience: Lewis County Citizens
Project or Activity: Food Preservation workshop and Micro-processing workshop
Content or Curriculum: Extension Food Preservation curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent time, UK Specialist, Preservation equipment and supplies, UK curriculum
Date: Summer 2019
Author: Glenna Bentley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In order to make youth more aware of where their food actually comes from the Lewis County Agents teamed up to host a farm field day for 5th grade youth. This was the third year the program was presented and the first year that we were able to secure a sponsor to cover the cost of lunch for participants. Lewis County Extension Office agents, Lewis County staff, Mason County Horticulture agent, Mason County Program Assistant, Lewis County and Greenup County Farm Bureau, and Rip’s Farm
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Seven Ag and Horticulture agents saw a need to help local farmers and home owners grow either grow their own fruit or help the farmers become more efficient at grow fruit to sell. So regional work shop orchard was held at the Fleming County Extension office in March with over 40 participants attending from 7 counties, including 4 Lewis County residents. Classes were offered for both the small home grower and the commercial grower on wildlife control, tree management, disease management, an
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Logging Training and Professional Education
On February 6th, 2018 UK Forestry Extension broadcast a live Logger Web TV Program to 25 counties strategically distributed around the state, from the Webcast studio in the Forestry Extension Office. Assistance from the county agents and supporting staff was critical to the success of this program. Counties opened their offices up, assisted with registration, answering and conveying questions, and much more. By hosting this Logger TV program from our webcast studio in the format that we did, we
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Forages
With the Buffalo Trace counties representing a large portion of rural area, forage production plays a vital role for agriculture across the five counties. With one of the largest alfalfa producing counties in the state along with high ranking grass hay production, offering a program to focus on improving forage quality would benefit local producers and agriculture operations in the Buffalo Trace Counties. The area Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents worked with specialist, agents, and local
