Extension
It Starts With Us
Diversified Agriculture and Rural Development
Growing Grayson County through Rural, Youth, and Community Development
Whitney Carman,
Beef
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Forages
Local Food Systems
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Author: Whitney Carman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
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
Author: Whitney Carman
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
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
