Agriculture Sustainability and Marketing 2020-24Plan of Work

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Lincoln County CES

Title:
Agriculture Sustainability and Marketing 2020-24
MAP:
Agriculture Profitability and Longevity
Agents Involved:
Courtney Brock, Tyler Miller, Rita Stewart
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Health
Situation:

As we have entered into a new decade of farming, farmers have been experiencing very volatile markets paired with low commodity prices for the past several years. It is imperative that we educate our local farmers of the importance of farm enterprise diversity, farm markets, and farm sustainability. Best management practices on the farm will help landowners secure the success of the family farm. Not only protecting and improving the acres that are farmed, we must look to those other acres for a potential revenue source.  The location, weather, and growing seasons of Lincoln County gives producers a wide range of crops and livestock in diversifying their farms. Within the county there are multiple facilities that a producer can take advantage of such as the produce auction market, farmers market, goat/sheep market, livestock market, and log yards. With such tight farm budgets and the average age of the farmer ever increasing, the need for succession planning is great and Extension will be present in educating those individuals in how to keep that family farm in the hands of their children for generations to come. As we advance into the future, Extension will be there every step of the way with continued support for our landowners with the ever changing needs of our farms and community. Extension will continue to serve the general public with all of the diagnostic testing services of soil testing, disease identification, bug identification, and water quality. Our 4-H Youth Development Program will continue to support the youth in their interest in agriculture.  

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmers will recognize the steps needed in order to insure their on-farm profit; ultimately leading to continued success.  

Indicator: Increased profitability for Lincoln County Farmers

Method: Survey

Timeline: Continuously


Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will adopt Extension recommendations. 

Indicator: Survey results

Method: Survey

Timeline: Every 2+ years


Long-term Outcome: Extension is focused on reaching the needs of the community via relatable programming to the county's needs in the ever changing environment of agriculture. 

Indicator: Evaluation results

Method: Surveys

Timeline: Every 4+ years

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: 

Audience: Farmers and agribusiness 

Project or Activity: Produce Growers Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Small fruits and vegetable presentations by U.K. Specialists and agent. 

Inputs: Financial resources from Extension and Lincoln County Produce Auction Association. Educational materials and programs from Extension professionals. 

Date: January and February 

 

Audience: Farmers and agribusiness 

Project or Activity: Test plots, demos and field visits 

Content or Curriculum: U.K. specialists, the agent and auction leaders doing test plots, field walks and demos on soils, forages, and horticultural crops. 

Inputs: Educational, service and financial assistance from Extension and Produce Auction Board 

Date: Seasonal 

 

Audience: Farmers and Consumers 

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Activities 

Content or Curriculum: Production and marketing help to growers and awareness of quality of locally grown produce to consumers. 

Inputs: Educational, service and financial assistance from Extension and Farmers Market Board 

Date: seasonal 

 

Audience: General Public 

Activity: Diagnostic & Informational Services 

Content: Extension assistance with identification and control recommendations for insects, disease, pests, weeds and etc. as well as production information on lawn care, home care, landscaping, gardening, etc. 

Inputs: Extension service and informational assistance. 

 

Audience: Farmers  

Activity: Hay Testing Program  

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Department of Agriculture Hay Testing Services  

Inputs: Financial assistance from the Lincoln County Extension office. Hay testing equipment, Staff involvement with paperwork. 

Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, local businesses. 

Date: Summer-Fall 

 

Audience: Landowners  

Activity: Farm Succession Planning Series  

Content or Curriculum: What types of discussions you need to have with family, Creating a Will, Legal Documents, What happens if Nothing is in place and their is a death, ect  

Inputs: University Specialist, Local Extension office staff and materials, landowners, businesses, underprivileged population.  

Date: Winter 

 

Audience:  Youth 

Activity: 4-H and BG GreenSource Environmental Day 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and BG GreenSource Resources 

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals. 

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Logan-Hubble Park 

Date: Winter 

 

 

Audience: *Landowners   

Activity:  Managing and Profitability of our Wooded Acres  

Content or Curriculum: *Forestry Department Specialist 

Inputs: *Newsletters, Specialist, Site Visits, Publications, Extension office staff and materials  

 

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, local hiking spots, Canoe KY, etc. 

Date: Annually 

 

Audience: 4-H members and leaders 

Activity: Incubation and Embryology Programs 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Demonstration supplies, UK Poultry Farm fertilized eggs, and financial support from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Schools, UK Poultry Farm 

Date: Spring 

 

Audience: 4-H members, leaders, and parents 

Activity: 4-H AG Field Day 

Content or Curriculum: The Annual 4-H Adventures in Agriculture Field Day helps provide agriculture education to all county 3rd grade students 

Inputs: Community Partners include 4-H Council Members, local business owners, county banks, Lincoln County Schools, Lincoln County Cattlemen’s Association, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, and others 

Facilities used: Lincoln County Extension Office, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Lincoln County Schools, etc. 

Date: Spring 

 

Audience: 4-H members, leaders and parents 

Activity: 4-H County/District Beef, Lamb, Goat, Poultry, Rabbit, Horse, and Dairy Shows 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum & KDA Materials 

Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: 

Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities. 

Date: Spring and Summer 

 

Audience: 4-H members, leaders and parents 

Activity: 4-H Judging and Quiz Bowl Teams 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: 

Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities. 

Date: Spring and Summer 

 

Audience: 4-H members, leaders and parents 

Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum 

Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: 

Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities. 

Date: January-August 

 

Audience-Farmers, Agribusinesses 

Activity: Farmer Educational Conferences 

Content or Curriculum: Dairy and Forage Topics 

Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: 

Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Lincoln County Extension Office for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities; Cedar Creek Sportsman Club for activities and meetings; Produce Auction facilities for demonstrations and meetings; Farmers Market Station and local church facilities. 

Date: Annually 

 

Audience: Farmers and agribusiness 

Activity: Farmer-Lender-Extension Field Day 

Content: Farming updates and management information on crops and livestock 

Inputs: Agent and specialist presentations, on farm demo supplies and funding from Extension and agribusiness, operational funding from agricultural lenders, farm families providing host farm and demo and event labor and facilities. 

Facilities: host farm for demos, tours, and meal 

Date: Summer, Fall 

 

Audience: Farmers and Agribusinesses representatives in area counties 

Activity: Area Crop Conferences 

Content or Curriculum: Forage and Grain Topics 

Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: 

Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days; Extension Offices for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities. 

Date: Winter 

 

Audience-Farmers and Agribusiness representatives in Lincoln, Boyle, Garrard, Rockcastle, Pulaski, Casey, Madison and Mercer County 

Activity: Tobacco Updates 

Content or Curriculum: Tobacco Topics 

Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: 

Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days;Extension Offices for meeting facilities. 

Date: Winter 

 

Audience: Farmers and Agribusinesses  

Activity: Beef Update Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Cow Calf Management and Backgrounding Management & Marketing 

Inputs: Financial resources include GOAP cost share programs, demonstration supplies from participating companies. Lincoln County Farm Bureau and commodity organization grants, banks and lending institution grants. Farm supply and agribusiness grants and support finances from the Lincoln County Extension District Board. 

Facilities used: 

Local farms for demonstrations, tours and field days;Extension Offices for meeting facilities; Lincoln County Fairgrounds for meetings, shows and other activities. 

Date: Winter 

 

Audience: Farmers and agribusiness 

Activity: Lincoln County Beef Expo 

Content: beef educational demos and updates on production, marketing and promotion, Cattlemen's Annual Meeting, agribusiness trade show. 

Facilities: Lincoln County Fairgrounds, agribusiness equipment, Cattlemen's materials and equipment. 

Date: Fall 

 

Audience: Cattlemen's Board and Ag Development Board 

Activity: Beef production spring educational tour for LCCA Board and LCADB; fall educational tour for LCCA Board; Pastor to Pasture Event 

Content: Spring-1 day tour to Kentucky county with agent and producers showing improved practices. Fall-2 day out of state tour with agents, specialists and producers showing improved practices. Pastor to Pasture Event 

Inputs: Finances provided by Extension Lincoln County Ag Development Board and LCCA and participants, local churches, area agribusinesses 

Facilities: Extension vans, host farms, Extension facilities, agri business facilities. 

Date: Spring & Fall 

 

Audience: Farmers, agribusiness, general public, youth 

Activity: Fairs (county, state, NAILE) 

Content: Livestock shows and floral hall exhibits 

Inputs: Financing from fair association and KDA. Agents, assistants and leaders operating the activities. 

Facilities: fairgrounds, Extension facilities 

Date: July, August, November 



Success Stories

Hay Every Where You Look!

Author: Tyler Miller

Major Program: Hay testing

Back in July of this year, 2020, I started a hay testing program for the producers of Lincoln County. I wasn't sure how many would utilize the service or if it would be very beneficial. Sitting here today just before Thanksgiving I have pulled 90 hay samples with more lined up to do, have included Dr. Henning with the program and had him in the county visiting producers, and have clientele ask if I would run this program next year. I feel this has been widely used and helpful to the county&#

Full Story

N-10: Not Again

Author: Tyler Miller

Major Program: Chemical Management

Last month, I drove myself to Frankfort and took the N-10 Pesticide Test. Weeks leading up to the test i had spend a large amount of time studying and brushing up on material to hopefully help me pass the examination. I gave myself plenty of time the morning of to make the drive and find my seat. As i entered the testing room, i noticed that i had forgotten my calculater. The pressure was on but i was not shaken! I took my test, reiewed each answer, and submitted my paperwork. A few weeks later

Full Story

Master Loggers

Author: Tyler Miller

Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

I had the opportunity to present the Master Loggers Continuing education hours to a small group of loggers in and around Lincoln County. This was a daylong event and the lively hood of these individuals hanged on this presentation. Due to COVID, many other locations that had planned to show this training had cancelled. I wanted to help the industry as well as the loggers themselves so i made sure that i was able to show the training they needed. I made contacts that i normally would not have and

Full Story

Pesicide Trainings Are in the Books

Author: Tyler Miller

Major Program: Chemical Management

Without being able to host a large one and done type of meeting style that we have used in the past to train producers in order to keep their pesticide card updated, I had to hold a meeting on zoom. I was able to capture several people that needed the training and even trained a handful of producers from other counties. I did have to hold a face to face meeting for a paraquat training for some Amish. I was able to use one of their large shops where we had enough room to space out. With obstacles

Full Story

Farmers Market and UK

Author: Tyler Miller

Major Program: Local Food Systems

I have just been employed for a little over a year now so most everything i am doing is new. I took on the task of training the farmer growers for the county’s farmers market Senior Voucher Program. I had sat through a zoom training, talked with coworkers that had handled this in the past, coordinated with farmers market representatives, and now have trained the growers. This has been something new for me and something that i have enjoyed. The farmers have all been great to work with and i

Full Story

Lincoln County Cost Share Meeting

Author: Tyler Miller

Major Program: Beef

On April 8, 2021 i held an educational meeting that would cover for the ones receiving cost share money. The Cattleman's Association, Farm Bureau, and Southern States all helped to fund the meeting. that night about 300 people showed up at the Stanford Drive In to be receive their BQCA certification. We were able to feed everyone, have guest speakers, and show the presentation on the big screen. for days after, people were calling to let me know how much fun they had and that they had enjoye

Full Story

Effort is Everything

Author: Tyler Miller

Major Program: Forages

In the last few weeks, i had the chance to work with a guy that i knew just a little bit from prior conversations. He had called and wanted me to come look at some grass he was having trouble with. Now, this guy was the type to give me a chance and that chance determined if he would ever use me again. So, i made it a point to really dig in and do all i could for this guy. I made multiple visits to the field with him, sent samples off, dug holes, researched the problem, and talked with specialist

Full Story
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