Extension
It Starts With Us
Ag Production
Ag Production and Sustainability
Chad Conway, Linda Combs, Dora Centers
Small Farm Management
According to the CEDIK report, agriculture is an emerging business for Knott County. Although agriculture is not as prevalent in Knott County as in other parts of the state, the county does have twenty-two full-time farmers, and several part-time farmers, who own small farms. Most of these producers have very diversified operations with small numbers of livestock and/or acres of pasture and crops. Even though these are smaller operations, they still add financial support to their families and to the county. Farm acreage has increased steadily in the last fifteen years, mostly due to increased use of reclaimed strip mine lands. The major livestock in the county consists of beef cattle, goats, and horses. The major crops consist of hay, corn, ornamentals, bedding plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also, a large number of the people in the county raise a garden or fruit crops for home use. Harvested forage lands have more than doubled during the last five years, as well as a large increase in the number of cropland acres that have been harvested due to the use of reclaimed mine land. A recent Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service survey for Knott County showed a need for training in gardening skills, and more market opportunities for farmers. The County Extension Council and Agriculture & Natural Resources Council have directed the extension agent to address the above areas with the necessary emphasis on diversification and small farm production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit of both youth and adults, but mainly directed to those individuals involved in, or with an interest in livestock, forages, fruit, and vegetable production, both commercially and family based.
Agricultural producers will manage their farms and resources to receive the most profit or production from their operations. Agriculture producers will utilize new innovations to be more productive in operations. They will develop the knowledge necessary manage their agricultural operations to wisely use the land and resources for sustainability.
An increase in agriculture production with emphasis in livestock and horticulture.
*Best Management Practices will be used for their agricultural operations
*An increase in the diversity of agriculture operations will occur
*An increase in necessary management skills being used
*An increased utilization of reclaimed mine lands as part of agricultural operations in county
* Vegetable producers will utilize new innovative techniques to increase production and quality of vegetable
*Increase access to public for local fresh fruits and vegetables
Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.
*Knowledge of new and improved management skills for improved profitability
*Knowledge of new methods to use reclaimed lands.
*Understanding the importance of diversity in small enterprises
* Knowledge of local markets to expand operations
Initial Outcome: increase awareness of gardening resources through extension
Indicator: increase client awareness of success of extension education
Method: individual client consultation and advertisement of educational classes
Timeline: throughout year
Intermediate Outcome: Individual are capable of increasing growing quality fruit and vegetables
Indicator: increase in client awareness from clients and other individuals
Method: individual consultation and educational classes
Timeline: throughout year
Long-term Outcome: An increase in quality food grown by individuals to help feed their families
Indicator: less food insecurity in county
Method: research education taught by extension staff
Timeline: throughout year
Audience: Horticulture Producers
Activity: Insect and disease control workshop
Content or Curriculum: Research information and educational curriculum UK Horticulture
Inputs: via zoom and social media, and basic gardening class if applicable
Date: Annually
Audience: Senior Citizens, Adult Training Centers, and Low Income Housing Complexes
Activity: Raised Bed Gardening education
Content: Raised Bed & UK Horticulture Curriculum
Date: Annually
Audience: Cattle Producers
Activity: East Ky Beef IRM Program
Content or Curriculum: feeding, reproduction, forages, health, and general management
Inputs: Research, Specialists, and Agents
Date: Continuous
Activity : Value Added Cattle Producers Meeting
Content: Zoom Meeting and Social Media, and cattle producers meeting
Inputs: Research, Specialists, and Agents
Winter meetings
Activity: Conservation Sustainability
Content or Curriculum: Soil sampling, cost-share programs, and related issues
Inputs: Knott Co Conservation District
Date: Continual
Audience: Gardeners
Activity: Soil Health for Gardeners
Inputs: Research, Curriculum from Land Grant Universities
Inputs: Zoom meeting and Social media
Date: August 2020
Activity: Knott County Agriculture & Natural Resources newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Addresses various issues at critical time, and announcement of upcoming AGNR programs
Inputs: research based information from land grant universities
Date: Monthly
Activity: Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping club, annual beekeeping school, KSU beekeeping programs
Inputs: KSU Bee Program, KDA Bee Program, and local producers knowledge
Date: Bi monthly
Audience: Knott County Farmers
Activity: KADF County Agriculture Investment Program
Content: Opportunity with investment to improve and expand farming operation
Inputs: Educational Assistance with projects
Date: Continually
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Each year the Knott County Agriculture Agent teaches a class in the fall on Cold Crops and Cover Crops. This class covers various topics, such as, what crops can be grown in the fall and how to extend fresh vegetables later into the season. This class is always an interest to many gardeners who are looking at ways to increase the availability of fresh local foods. Although, this a great part of the class, it allows the agent to educate the participants on the importance of cover crop
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Beef
The Eastern Kentucky Integrated Reproduction Management Program was designed by the University of Kentucky Beef Extension Specialist Program to improve beef production in Eastern Kentucky. Knott County has had five different cow/calf farmers participate in the program through the past five years. After these years in the program, all the farm operations now have a controlled calving season. Also, the new opportunities and the concepts they acquired from the program have enabled them to increase
