Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture Production, Diversification, & Sustainability
Agriculture Profitability & Marketing
Heather Graham
Beef
Small Farm Diversification
Forages
Small Farm Management
According to US Census of Agriculture data, since 2007 the number of farms in Wolfe County has decreased by 48 with 23,993 fewer reported acres of land in farms. The number of cattle has dropped to almost half the 2007 numbers. Net farm income has also drastically decreased in that time frame. Beef cattle and forages are the largest sectors of agriculture in Wolfe County. A large number of farmers in Wolfe County are part-time, most splitting their acreage between livestock and hay/pasture land. There is an interest in diversifying farming operations, especially as the local food movement is growing.
In order for producers to not only maintain their operations, but also to improve them, there is a need for: improving cattle and forage production, education in water quality as it relates to livestock production and general farming practices (e.g. pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer use), overall environmental stewardship, education on how to maintain forested land and utilize it through conservation practices. There is also a need to focus on agriculture diversification for niche markets (fruit/veggie production, honey and honeybees, local soaps/lotions/etc., as well as other products).
Producers will manage their farming operations and natural resources to receive maximum production profit. They will increase knowledge and develop skills necessary to manage their operations while also practicing sustainability.
Producers will implement changes to improve their livestock, forage, or other farming operations (eg- soil testing, hay testing, improving handling facilities, rotational grazing, rotational cropping, etc.)
Producers will gain a better understanding of what practices can be improved to benefit their herd, forages, income, and the environment.
Audience: Agriculture Producers, Home/land owners, Gardeners, Farmers Market vendors
Project or activity: Testing, diagnostic, & ID services
Content or curriculum: Soil testing, hay testing, weed ID, insect ID, and plant disease ID to promote sustainable management decisions.
Inputs: Agent time, UK specialists & diagnostic services
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: BQCA training, Mountain Cattlemen meetings, Rotational grazing programs, Calving/Calf health
Content or curriculum: training videos, meetings, demonstrations, field days
Inputs: Agent, UK specialists
Dates: Ongoing
Audience: Agriculture Producers, Home/land owners, Gardeners, Farmers Market vendors
Project or Activity: Water & Environmental Quality & Sustainability Programming
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture chemical collections program and rinse & return recycling program, Stream restoration, Ag Water Quality plan, Nature Walks, Roadside clean-ups, Pond management,
Inputs: Agent time, KDA employees’ time, UK specialists, KY Waterways Alliance, community member/volunteer time
Dates: Ongoing
Audience: Farmers Market Vendors, Agriculture Producers, Small Business Owners
Project or Activity: Diversification & Niche marketing
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market trainings/meetings, Marketing classes, Niche production programs (honeybees, wine/grape, sheep/goat, etc.), Farm Management Strategies for Improved Decision Making, Gardening classes, Raised bed classes, Fruit Tree Grafting, Fruit Tree Growers Workshop, Mushroom production, season extension classes
Inputs: Agent time, KY Sheep & Goat Development Office resources, KSU specialists, UK Specialists, KDA employees
Dates: Ongoing
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Wolfe Co. ANR agent secured $500 from the Wolfe County Farm Bureau for "Market Money." Market Money are vouchers that can be spent at the Wolfe County Farmers Market for local, fresh produce. Each voucher is worth $1 and 10 vouchers were made into a booklet. The ANR agent then partnered with FCS, 4-H, and SNAP to host special days at the WC Farmers Market, "A Day at the Market." On these days, Wolfe County residents could come to the market and obtain their voucher
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Both Wolfe County SNAP assistants and the ANR agent partnered to deliver a program to all students at Bethany Christian School about healthy eating, exercising, and growing their own food. Each session began with the children learning about the life cycle of plants and included an activity for the kids to be a growing seed/plant. Then the students made their own milk jug greenhouse. They learned how to care for their lettuce, how greenhouses help extend the growing season, and were given a growt
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Over the past decade, people have taken more interest in where their food comes from and what is in their food. In Wolfe and surrounding counties, interest in heritage skills has increased as a way to preserve skills of grandparents as well as extending their food dollar and taking pride in creating food for their family. This can be seen by the popularity of country ham programs for youth and adults in Kentucky.The Wolfe County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Heather Graham
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
In May 2022 Kentucky Waterways Alliance and The Friends of Red River hosted the Wild and Scenic Red Riverfest - a daylong event to celebrate the Red River, the only waterway in KY that is designated by the National Wild & Scenic River System as wild and scenic. Throughout the day, participants had opportunities to listen to live music, paddle the river, and visit the educational tent. The Wolfe Co. ANR agent set-up under the educational tent with information about Extension, Cook Wild KY, an
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
Three Wolfe County farmers have been granted funding through the Kentucky Horticulture Council's Small Fruit Initiative. Through this program, the farmers work with their local ANR Agent, UK horticulture specialists, and the KY Hort Council to establish and/or expand their current plantings. Farmers have worked with the ANR agent to collect soil samples and evaluate the results for what crops are best suited for those growing areas. All three farmers are going to be, or have already, planted
