Supporting Local AgriculturePlan of Work

Back to the Program

Menifee County CES

Title:
Supporting Local Agriculture
MAP:
Agriculture
Agents Involved:
McCarty, Walton
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

The majority of Menifee County agriculture is produced on small farms. Over the last few years, the Menifee County Extension Office has contributed to improving access to local, healthy food by training and certification of farmers, gardeners, beef producers 4-Her, Homemakers, and food entrepreneurs. Food production can begin with washing produce, home baking, home canning, vaccinating livestock, and producing quality forages.  Consumers are at least 2 -3 generations removed from the farm.  Educating consumer and todays youth on were the food comes from is very important.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Attendees will increase the availability of fresh fruits vegetables, and meat to the community.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and food safety as well as obtaining certifications to sell direct to consumer and value-added products.  

Initial Outcomes:

Attendees will increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in beef production, forage practices, chemical usage, and marketing.

Evaluation:


Outcome:  Increased items at the farmers market.

Method:  Visual

Timeline:  Summer 2021




Outcome:  Increased Ag Sales

Indicator:  USDA Statistics

Method:  Research

Timeline: Fall 2021



Outcome:  Increased Ag knowledge

Indicator: Survey Questions 

Method:  Survey

Timeline:  Fall 2021


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: YAK Farmer, Beef Producers


                        Project or Activity:  Hay Research 

                        Content or Curriculum: Weight Gain on different hays

                        Inputs: Agent, Farmer, and UK Specialist

                        Date :Fall Winter 2020-2021


Project or Activity:  Beef Producer Meetings

                        Content or Curriculum:  Hay Quality, Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Specialist 

                        Date: Quarterly Meetings

Audience: Farmers Market/Horticulture


Project or Activity: Farmers Market  

                        Content or Curriculum: SRFMNP, WIC/Marketing

                        Inputs: UK Crop Diversification, CFA

                        Date: Spring & Summer 2021


Project or Activity:  Youth Garden

                        Content or Curriculum: Youth Master Gardner Manual

                        Inputs: Agents Teacher

                        Date: Fall 2020 spring 

               Audience: 4-H


Project or Activity:  Country Hams

                        Content or Curriculum: Livestock Kit

                        Inputs: Agents

                        Date: Winter 2021


Project or Activity:  Safety Day

                        Content or Curriculum: Progressive AG

                        Inputs: Teachers and Volunteers

                        Date:  Fall 2020



Success Stories

Farmers Market Leadership work for a successful year

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Menifee County Farmers Market is hitting a milestone in 2021.  This will be the markets 40th year in Menifee County.  The 2020 market year was tough year because of Covid but the market held tough selling $35,000 of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and other items at the market.  Menifee County Extension Agents helped with crowd control and marketing videos to help understand the Covid restrictions to customers of the market.  The success of 2020 is from the leadership of

Full Story

Yak Research Continues in Menifee County

Author: Mary McCarty

Major Program: Forages

Menifee County has been home to Yaks for 5 plus years.  Limited research has been conducted on the species in North America’s.  The Menifee County Extension Programs started doing research at Zhi-ba Shing-ga Yak Farm in Wellington, KY in 2019 with a Yak Garden.  In winter of 2021, a new research study began with the help of Dr. Jeff Lemkuhler.  The objective of this on-farm research was to evaluate the effect of hay type on growth rate of growing yaks. Forages evaluated

Full Story
Back to the Program