Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock & Crop Production
Agriculture
Joanna Coles &Kristin Hildabrand
Horticulture, Commercial
Beef
Grains
Integrated Pest Management
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.
•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
•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
•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
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
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
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
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
