Crop and Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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Lewis County CES

Title:
Crop and Livestock Production
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley, FCS Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Volunteer Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Food Preparation and Preservation
Situation:

Lewis County is home to 676 farms operating on 117,955 acres with the average farm size being 174 acres. The County Extension Council and the Agriculture Advisory Committee identified crop and livestock production as major components of Lewis County agriculture production. To increase profits it is important for farms to be efficient and increase yield as well as diversify. Youth need to recognize the impact that agriculture has on our daily lives as well as agriculture in the commonwealth.  It is also important that farm families are able to save money and add value to their products and utilize food preservation techniques that allow them to do that.


Long-Term Outcomes:



Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Knowledge and skills will be gained in the area of food production.

Method: Self Reporting and Project books

Timeline: Fall 2021 to Fall 2024


Initial Outcome: Producers will increase knowledge on herd management, animal handling and welfare, and early recognition of calving problems and corrective measures.

Indicator: Farmers will become BQCA certified

Method: BQCA test

Timeline:  Fall 2020- Spring 2024


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Youth will turn in record books and be able to offer reasons during showmanship.

Method: Observation

Timeline: Fall 2021-2024


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Lewis Countians learn to safely preserve fresh, local food products.

Method:  Observation

Timeline:  Fall 2022


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Youth Livestock Club participants will explain role of agriculture to 5th graders during Field Day.

Method: Observation

Timeline: Fall 2022


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator:  There are fewer disqualified preserved items at the county fair due to improper techniques used.

Method: County fair entry data

Timeline: Fall 2022


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Profits are sustained or increased during tough economic times.

Method: Agent interviews and number of farms are maintained in the county.

Timeline: Winter 2021


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:  Profits are obtained by selling canned goods at the Farmers Market and other eligible venues.

Method:  Self reporting and observation

Timeline:  Summer 2021


Long-term Outcome:  Farmers implement new technologies.

Indicator: Farmers adopt the usage of new technologies and fertility management recommendations.

Method:  Testimonials and Observation 

Timeline: Fall 2020-Spring 2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Women Farm Managers

Project or Activity: Farm School for Women

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum and USDA

Inputs: Ag. Agent time, USDA office time, local farm businesses

Date: Fall 2021


Audience: Youth Livestock participants

Project or Activity: Livestock Projects, feeder calf, hogs, lambs, and goats

Content or Curriculum: 4-H approved core curriculum for livestock

Inputs: 4-H curriculum, club leader volunteer, volunteer time, 4-H agent time, program assistant time, ag. agent time.

Date: Fall 2021


Audience: Lewis County 5th graders

Project or Activity: Youth Field Day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Kit and curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent time, Ag. Agent time, FCS Agent time, Program Assistant Time, SNAP assistant time, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Woodmen of the World, Local farmers, Livestock project participants.

Date: Fall 2021


Audience:  Lewis County Citizens

Project or Activity:  Food Preservation workshop and Micro-processing workshop

Content or Curriculum:  Extension Food Preservation curriculum

Inputs:  FCS Agent time, UK Specialist, Preservation equipment and supplies, UK curriculum

Date: Summer 2022


Audience:  Lewis County Farmers

Project or Activity:  County Field Day

Content or Curriculum: UK current research on Agriculture production

Inputs: Extension Agents, UK specialist, Local Farm, Advisory Councils, UK curriculum, RIP's Farm Center, Rose Farm Supply, Southern States Cooperative, Ag Pro Supply, WW Industries

Date: Fall 2022



Success Stories

Pumpkin Contest held

Author: Glenna Bentley

Major Program: Agriculture

The Lewis County Extension Office was asked what programs they could do to encourage people to come to the Lewis County Farmers Market.  The idea of having a 4-H pumpkin contest was one of the programs developed.   The Pumpkin Contest would be held during the Fall Harvest Festival at the Farmer’s Market and sponsored by the Vegetable Growers.  This year the Best Painted Pumpkin Contest and the Best Decorated Pumpkin Contest were held.   This program has been done for se

Full Story

Winter Feeding Areas for Beef Producers

Author: Philip Konopka

Major Program: Beef

Kentucky is the largest beef producing state east of the Mississippi River. It also has a lot of precipitation during the winter which makes feeding cattle a potentially muddy mess.  If a farmer could manage the mud, there could be a potential cost savings to the farmer as well as an environmental impact savings.  If the area where the cattle feed is less muddy then they have less energy needs and if the udders stay clean, calves stay healthier and have high weight gains resulting in m

Full Story

Lewis County Forages

Author: Philip Konopka

Major Program: Forages

Lewis County has a strong forage and livestock production and this is a big part of the counties farm income. According to the last Census of Agriculture (2017) Lewis County has 13,853 acres in hay production, 9,255 head of Cattle and Calves, 390 goats, and over 350 head of Horses and Ponies. Lewis County has in sales $1,365,000 in hay, $3,664,000 in cattle and calves, $83,000 in goats, and $40,000 in equine.  The Lewis County ANR agent has been working with these producers to have a better

Full Story
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