Livestock & Crop ProductionPlan of Work

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Warren County CES

Title:
Livestock & Crop Production
MAP:
Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Joanna Coles &Kristin Hildabrand
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Integrated Pest Management
Situation:

In 2012, Warren County’s total value of crop sales was $54,967,000 and total value of livestock sales was $59,738,000. With this large emphasis and economic impact, livestock and crop programming is important to Warren County farmers.

The 2012 Ag Census ranks Warren County as #1 in fruit, nut and berry production and #31 in vegetable production. It also includes 1,715 acres of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod.

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Livestock operations will reports increased profitability and sustainability

•Crop producers will improve profitability through better production and marketing management

•Individuals will improve environmental quality through reducing, reusing and recycling and best management conservation practices

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Farmers will adopt Extension recommendations, utilize best management practices and marketing strategies

•Farmers will apply new technologies

•Farmers will recycle pesticide containers and dispose of pesticides in the proper manner

•Consumers will conserve water and follow best management practices to improve water quality

•Consumers will reduce nonpoint source pollution

Initial Outcomes:

•Farmers will increase husbandry knowledge, learn recommended production practices and aspire to implement them in their farming operation to improve profitability

•Farmers will gain knowledge in recommended production and marketing practices for grain, forage and woodland crops

•Individuals will learn benefits of recycling, responsible use of pesticides, conservation practices, nonpoint source pollution and energy & natural resource conservation

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Gained knowledge in the areas of animal husbandry and production practices. Producers will learn about best management & production practices

Indicator: Individuals state they gained knowledge and aspire to implement practices on their farm

Method: Post educational activity evaluation

Timeline: Throughout the year



Intermediate Outcomes: Individuals implement production practices learned during educational activities to increase profitability

Indicator: Number of practices adopted and implemented

Method: Post evaluations and follow up surveys

Timeline: 6-8 weeks after educational activity



Long-term Outcomes: Farmers will be more profitable by applying learned marketing strategies and production practices

Indicator: Number of participants who adopt recommended practices and impact increased profitability

Method: Evaluations, follow up surveys and testimony

Timeline: On going


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance

Content or Curriculum: Best Management Practices and Consumer Confidence

Inputs: BQA manual, facilities

Date: Fall 2021


Audience: Beef Producers, Industry Representatives

Project or Activity: Beef Field Day

Content or Curriculum: cover crops, herd health, health facilities

Inputs: Farm operator, facilities, sponsors, tables, av equipment

Date: September 16, 2021


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Educational Beef Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition, health, marketing, policies

Inputs: Agents time, facilities, sponsors, industry reps, volunteers

Date: October 21, November 18, December 16, January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, 2020-21


Audience: Crop & Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Rinse & Return

Content or Curriculum: Proper disposal of pesticide containers

Inputs: KDA staff, facilities, advertisements, volunteers

Date: September 2021 & June 2022


Audience: Homeowners, Crop & Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicators Training

Content or Curriculum: Pesticide Safety, Worker Protection Standards,

recordkeeping, Understanding Pesticide Labels, crop related pests,

restricted use pesticides

Inputs: Facilities, videos, publications

Date: January – February 2022


Audience: Industry Representatives

Project or Activity: SoKY Commercial Pesticide Training

Content or Curriculum: General Pesticide Use

Inputs: Agents time, specialist, facilities

Date: December 2021


Audience: Commercial Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Warren Co. Beekeepers Association monthly meetings

Content or Curriculum: Local beekeepers, Extension specialists and agents

Inputs: Meeting space, time and mail outs

Date: July 2021 – June 2022


Audience: Commercial & Sustainable Horticulture Producers

Project or Activity: Warren County Beekeepers Association  

Content or Curriculum: Hive health & management, honey products & marketing

Inputs: Meeting space, time, mail outs

Date: 4th Tuesday of each month  


Audience: Commercial Producers and Horticulture Enthusiasts 

Project or Activity: Media Appearances via Radio and Television

Content or Curriculum: Up-to-date information for producers

Inputs: Promotional materials, visual aids

Date: Ongoing throughout the year


Audience: Commercial Growers and Landscapers  

Project or Activity: SOKY Pesticide Training

Content or Curriculum: General pesticide use

Inputs: Speakers, conference area, food, materials

Date: December 2021


Audience: Home and Commercial Gardeners

Project or Activity: Horticulture Happenings Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Commercial and consumer gardening

Inputs: material, postage, envelopes, time

Date: Throughout the year





Success Stories

Farm Transition Series

Author: Joanna Coles

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Succession planning is a necessary but difficult process. FarmLASTS estimates 88% of farmers and farmland owners do not have an exit plan.  With good communication and a well-developed plan, transitioning a family farm or business can be accomplished.  The Butler, Logan and Warren County agriculture extension agents led and taught a 3-part virtual farm transitions series.  The program was offered by all Mammoth Cave agriculture agents and had 16 participants with farm estate value

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Farming 101: A beginning farmer series

Author: Joanna Coles

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Supporting beginning farmers is a topic identified by stakeholders across Kentucky.  A committee of agriculture agents from the Mammoth Cave Area of Kentucky worked together to develop a 4-session program that would provide a sound foundation for clients that want to start a farming operation.  The sessions were delivered via ZOOM.  Each session was 1 hour long.  Sessions were developed to address questions that many beginning farmers have and provide beginning farmers with i

Full Story
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