Extension
It Starts With Us
Educational Opportunities for Producers, Gardeners and farmers markets
Agriculture and Horticulture Education
Shadrick,
Grains
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Local Food Systems
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Webster County is a rural county. According to NASS, In 2017, Webster County had 500 farm landowners on approximately 170,000 acres, which represented 75% of total county land. Commodity sales totaled 55.1 million. Farming operations continue to expand and grain crop production is facing a downward pressure. Severe economic distress due to high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent and flooded machinery market is expected for the foreseeable future.
Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households). Local gardeners will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for specific answers to their gardening questions. Farmers' markets continue to thrive as consumers are buying local produce, meat, honey and value added products. There is an increase in gardeners interest in becoming vendors in the farmers' market. Vendors look to Cooperative Extension for Producers Best Practices Training and recommendations for gardening, food preservation and diagnostic services. Consumers and producers need to understand GMO's and organic production as it relates to conventional production. The global pandemic of 2020 has increased the interest the local food movement even more.
Maximize profits for commercial agriculture producers
Minimize environmental impact by following recommended use of pesticides, herbicides, and/or fertilizers
Maintain or increase access of locally produced foods based on sales and/pr percentage of redemption of alternate payment programs (SFMNP and KDD)
Increased the amount and/or variety of locally grown or processed foods
Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations
Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
Implementation of on-farm trials
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
Successfully complete PAT and/or pesticide specific certifications related to grain crop production
Design effective spray schedules for plant pest management
Develop an AG plan using decision making tools
Apply skills of food safety and food preparation to afford healthy nutritious food choices
Earn certifications to distribute or sell raw and processed foods (home-based microprocessor, PBPT, home baker, KY Proud, Sampling certificate)
Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and food safety
Use Extension diagnostic services
Use Integrated Pest Management practices in grain and/or produce production
Increase knowledge of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and pest management tactics
Demonstrate proper use of sprayer and equipment related to application
Identifying active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
Understanding importance of and frame work for on-farm trials
Understanding organic vs conventional production
Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pest
Understand how to match plants to appropriate planting location
Recognize the value of diagnostic testing
Recognize required food safety practices
Farmers market vendors can interpret local, state and federal regulations for food safety, food processing, marketing and sales
Increase vendors at Farmer's Market
Increase awareness of Plate It Up KY Proud by sampling at Farmer's Market
Increase customer support of farmers market
Increase redemption rate of SFMNP Vouchers
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Private applicators identify active ingredients in crop related ag products learned through pesticide certification trainings
Method: pre/post test
Timeline: Before and after pesticide training class
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Grain and produce growers successfully earn certifications needed to expand operation and improve profitability
Method: number of producers that obtained certifications
Timeline: after growing season
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Increase redemption rate for the Webster County Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Method: Redemption rate calculation through USDA Senior program coordinator
Timeline: End of farmers market reporting timeframe; November 2021
Audience: Webster County Grain Farmers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Adult Farm Classes
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: UK Extension Agents; UK Specialist, NRCS, Community Partners
Date: December through March
Audience: Webster County Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Webster County Grain Day
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, seed company corn and soybean variety
Inputs: UK Specialist, agents, local producers
Date: Every other year on even years; February 2021
Audience: Webster County Producers
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: UK pesticide safety resources
Inputs: Extension Agents, UK Specialist, Local ag retail managers and agronomist
Date: Annually
Audience: Farmers Market Vendors
Activity: Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program training
Content: Provided presentation
Inputs: Agents and KDA
Date: Prior to farmers' market season
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Over the past 2 years, we have all learned new ways to connect with people. Even during a global pandemic, businesses found ways to continue to meet the needs of their clientele and families found ways to stay connected without gathering in person. Stepping out of our comfort zones to learn new skills quickly became the new normal. The pandemic is nearly over, but learning and adapting to new ways to connect to our clientele is still a priority. After attending a podcast
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Tri-County Ag Extension Group consists of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents in Webster, McLean and Hopkins Counties. The counties are not only alike geographically, but also agriculturally. Many producers in the tri-county area farm in all three counties. With specialist demand during the “winter meeting season” coupled with travel constraints, moving toward multi-county educational opportunities just makes sense. The Tri-County Ag Extension Group offe
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: Grains
Crop production is a major part of the agriculture economies in Western Kentucky, with Corn, Soybeans, and wheat being the major crops produced in most counties. To meet the needs of producers, Ag agents in Hopkins, McLean, and Webster Counties have worked together to identify the educational needs of Grain Producers and develop programs to meet those needs. In addition to the Tri-County plot work that has been done in the past, agents have worked to provide additional opportunities and del
