Supporting Local AgriculturePlan of Work
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
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