Planning for the Family and FarmPlan of Work
Muhlenberg County CES
Title:
Planning for the Family and Farm
MAP:
Improving Production and Management
Agents Involved:
Darrell Simpson
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management
Situation:
All agricultural commodities are facing an uncertain future in terms of obtaining and sustaining a profit margin. Lack of profitability could result in unintended consequences on a personal and professional level. Commodity Councils and County Extension Council members provided suggested programming input so as to try and reduce or alleviate potential hardships or economic catastrophes.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Clientele will assess business decisions and gain management and production skills that will help sustain their farm businesses.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Clientele participate in educational programs and utilize information gained.
Initial Outcomes:
Agricultural producers will start a dialogue within their business regarding enhanced production and management practices.
Agricultural producers will adopt production practices.
Evaluation:
One to One visits, phone and or written surveys will be used following educational programs. This will be used throughout the four year plan of work.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.
Method: One to one visits
Timeline: Annually- 2017-2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Improved planning for production and management will be utilized.
Method: One to one visits and post program surveys will be utilized.
Timeline: After programs and on an annual basis.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.
Method: One to one visits
Timeline: Annually
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: Agricultural Producers
Project or activity: Monthly beef and vegetable production meetings or field trips or field days and demonstrations.
Content or curriculum: Educational programs UK specialist and local ANR agent
Inputs: Agent, specialist, and volunteer time, office space
Date: Monthly on an annual basis
Audience: Agriculture Producers
Project or Activity: Water Control Structure Utilization Demonstration
Content or Curriculum: Educational Information provided by UK specialists and local ANR agent.
Inputs: Specialists and ANR agents, and volunteers time, Program Support funds
Date: Program year 2017-2018
Success Stories
Providing Working Protection Standards Information for H2A Migrant Workers
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
The Tobacco GAP program requires that workers be trained in Worker Protection Standards. This agent conducted two trainings for H2A Spanish speaking migrant workers in late June and in September so as to train workers coming into the farm on the initial contract and then those on the secondary contract.. A combined sixty three workers attended the programs. Spanish language videos provided by Dr. Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist, were utilized to train the workers regarding handling and appl
Full Story
Avoiding Eye damage During the Solar Eclipse
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Farm Management
The solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 had the potential to affect farmers living near its main line of impact negatively from a transportation standpoint and a worker standpoint. This agent worked with Todd County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources to provide information to all farmers but predominantly tobacco farmers about the timing of the eclipse. One of the major issues was the potential negative consequences of moving wagons on public roadways during the eclipse as well a
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Managing Forages for Their Full Potential
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Forages
Feed is the number one cost associated with beef cattle production. This agent worked with Dr. Chris Teutsch, Extension Forage Specialist to conduct a forage tour highlighting utilization of current and potential forage crops. Twenty Three producers attended the tour where they gained knowledge on utilizing endophyte friendly fescue, annual ryegrass, crabgrass, and wheat. Although the cooperating farmer on the tour had initially decided to destroy some species and replant new; he changed his min
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Assessing Freeze Damage to Wheat
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Grain Crops
The spring of 2017 appeared to be questionable at best for the winter wheat crop due to two major freeze events. Although there is only about 1200 acres of wheat in the county, producers utilize it for both grain and straw thus increasing the economic importance of the crop. This agent utilized his knowledge and information from Dr. Carrie Knott, University of Kentucky Grain Crops Specialist to assist producers in ascertaining whether or not the winter wheat crop should be destroyed or add
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Agri-Preneurial Conference enhances Collaboration and Farm Management
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Farm Management
Farm management relies heavily on understanding the costs of production, proper management and utilization of technology and research. For the second year agriculture and natural resource agents from the counties of Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Webster have worked cooperatively with the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation to plan and host the Roots to Riches Agri-preneurial Conference in hopes of promoting increased risk management as well as providing a one-stop shop for lo
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- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
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