Diversified Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Grayson County CES

Title:
Diversified Agriculture and Rural Development
MAP:
Growing Grayson County through Rural, Youth, and Community Development
Agents Involved:
Whitney Carman,
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

Grayson County agriculturists are always evolving and interested in new ways to be more innovative in their enterprises. There has also been an increase in new farmers or interested citizens that are looking for unique ways to gain income or develop and/or utilize niche markets in agriculture. Other residents in Grayson County are interested in learning new techniques in home horticulture, small ruminants and other agriculture methods.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Due to the changing agricultural profile, and the local food movement, there will be net increase in household income to those involved. There will be an increase in population due to opportunities and growth of these diversified enterprises. Property values will increase due to the education of home horticulture and more aesthetically pleasing home fronts. The establishment of Agri-tourism enterprises will bring more economic stability to the economy. The local farmer's market will see a growth in vendor numbers and gross sales. Lives of residents in Grayson County will increase their quality of living.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Agriculture enterprises will be able to invest and utilize new diversified agriculture techniques learned through the Extension Service. People will practice gardening and landscaping skills learned and will increase the aesthetics of their households. Households will choose use fresh produce from their home gardens, thus decreasing the amount they spend on those items if they were purchased.

Initial Outcomes:

Agriculturist will learn about the diversity of agriculture enterprises and those production and those specific marketing methods. Knowledge will be gained on improving home gardening techniques and home horticulture through University publications and demonstrations. People will learn proper marketing techniques of diversified agricultural enterprises.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Knowledge gained on gardening, diversified agriculture opportunities and rural growth.

Indicator: Participants will gain knowledge on gardening, how to locate soil test and diagnostics for plant and diseases. Will gain knowledge on diversified agriculture enterprises (ie: Hemp, small ruminants, aquaculture, Silvaculture). 

Method: Written evaluation after meeting and online surveys

Timeline: Summer 2021

 

Intermediate Outcome: Homeowners and gardeners utilize best management practices and techniques

Indicator: People will use gardening techniques learned, identify financial options for small farming, and those diverse agriculture enterprises

Method: Written or phone survey, online survey, on site visits, and re-occurring visits for resources in Extension

Timeline: Winter-Spring 2021

 

Long-Term Outcome: Increased production of diverse enterprises. Maintained or expanded access to local food (farmer’s markets and community gardens), increased fresh local produce, and minimized environmental impact from agriculture.

Indicator: gross sales at farmer’s market will increase and increase in family income. More people using proper planting techniques and using soil test, diagnostic testing and extension resources. 

Method: Questionnaire to attendees in programs, on site visits, and increased community garden useage. 

Timeline: Summer 2021


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Interested Current and Potential Vendors at the Farmers’ Market

Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Outreach

Content or Curriculum: marketing education, rules, regulations, trainings, and decision aids

Inputs: Grayson County Farmers’ Market Committee, Grayson County Fiscal Court, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, UK Publications, Good Agriculture Practices Training, Micro processing Training

Date: 2021-2022


Audience: Farmers and Homeowners

Project or Activity: Dirt 2 Dollars Podcast

Content or Curriculum: Zoom, Podcast platform, timely Extension topics

Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Extension agents, local farmers, local agriculture industry representatives

Date: Weekly 2021-2022

 

Audience: Interested individuals in gardening

Project or Activity: Gardening Toolbox Program

Content or Curriculum: ID-128 and other UK Videos and Publications

Inputs: UK Publications, UK Specialists, local growers, Bright Start Nursery, Grayson County Farm Supply

Date: January through October 2022

 

Audience: Individuals interested in farming with less than 20 acres

Project or Activity: Farming on a Few Acres

Content or Curriculum: Gardening in Small Spaces publication and UK Videos

Inputs: UK Publications, Kentucky Farm Start personnel, Grayson County farm supply stores, local producers, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky State University

Date: Winter 2021-2022

 

Audience: individuals or land owners interested in forestry

Project or Activity: Forestry 101, Backyard Woods

Content or Curriculum: My Backyard Woods, Forestry Webinars from UK Forestry

Inputs: UK Publications, UK Forestry Specialists, local land owners, Local parks and recreation areas, US Army Corp of Engineers, US Forestry Service, USDA Soil Conservation, Kentucky State University

Date: Winter/Spring 2022

 

Audience: Individuals interested in horticulture, landscape, and biology

Activity: Master Gardeners

Content or Curriculum: UK Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: local Master Gardener Volunteers, UK Horticulture specialists, local nurseries and greenhouses, Grayson County Extension Service

Date: Fall 2021

 

Audience: Local Turf Managers

Activity: Turf Management Production Course

Content or Curriculum: Educate turf managers on new research and science of turf production and maintenance

Inputs: UK Publications, UK Turf Management Specialists, local high school and golf courses.

Date: Spring 2022

 

Audience: Small ruminant producers

Activity: Small Ruminant Profit School 

Content or Curriculum: KY Sheep and Goat Development Office Small Ruminant Profit School Course

Inputs: UK Publications, KYSGD personnel, producers, local industry, Extension Specialists, Extension online resources

Date: Fall 2022

 

Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public

Project or Activity: Social media posts regarding diversified agriculture and rural development

Content or Curriculum: various research based resources

Inputs: UK Specialist, paid Extension Staff, social media outlets

Date: monthly 2021-2022




Success Stories

Giving the Farmer's Market New Life

Author: Whitney Carman

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Giving the Farmer's Market New Life

The Grayson County Farmer’s Market has been a viable market for over 15 years. It has served the community fresh local produce yearly and is a staple in the summer. However, over the last 5 years, lack of vendors and the increase in pressure to sell on the farm has limited the farmer’s market’s ability to be as strong as it once was. The Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, as well as other community wanted felt like it was time to make some changes to give it new life. In

Full Story

Educating Diverse Agriculture Enterprises - Small Ruminants

Author: Whitney Carman

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Educating Diverse Agriculture Enterprises - Small Ruminants

Grayson County is quickly growing diverse in agriculture practices. Increasing age, new farmers, new landownership, input costs, etc. have made people step away from the traditional cattle, hay and crop production we are used to seeing. One of the fastest growing production practices is small ruminants, specifically hair sheep. Based on the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, Grayson County ranks 36th in the state in small ruminant production, with around $100,000 in gross sales each year. Many of

Full Story
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