Extension
It Starts With Us
Crops and the Environment
Agriculture and Environment
Tad Campbell, Macy Fawns, 4-H Agent
Grains
Forages
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
With the agriculture diversity in Mason County coupled with the topography with various slopes and tillable ground throughout the county, focusing on crop sustainability, soil conservation and enhancements to continue to generate farm income will offset any one major income producing sector. Forages for pasture/hay and cash hay become more prevalent with the economics of other commodities. Grain and tobacco production continue to generate farm income, but not to the supporting scale seen in past decades. Building a strong forage management mentality along with a sustainable grain production system will work hand in hand with the large livestock production sector in the county. Producers in the community look for efficient productive means for forage development and sustainability as well as other possible alternative such as Hemp and bio-mass for forms of education pilots and income generating avenues. Hemp has exploded in the area but quickly saw a check a balance when the supply and demand of products fluctuated just as any other farm commodity.
- Producers will be able to utilize technology to become more efficient with production expenses to lower volume input costs while maintaining environmentally sound conservation practices.
- Participants will be able to manage forages to allow for increased carrying capacities, higher yields, and higher quality for operational use or cash sales.
- Increase market and production opportunities for new crops such as Hemp and other non-traditional crops to provide added income to Mason County farm operations.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Clients learn how to test streams
- Producers will be able to adapt technology such as GPS monitoring for chemical and fertilizer applications to become more efficient.
- Producers will do more soil tests for farms to add the proper amount of fertilization needed for a specific crop.
- Tobacco producers will utilize proper varieties to help reduce disease pressure during production.
- Rotational grazing will be adapted to provide adequate rest times for each field.
- Producers will follow pesticide safety protocols gained during certification and from the label instructions to reduce risk of exposure.
- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Clients go into community and test streams, to view if it is healthy.
- Producers will gain knowledge of crop varieties to enhance production efficiencies.
- Producers will gain knowledge of benefits of soil testing.
- Wildlife enthusiast will gain knowledge of soil, forages, food plots and conservation practices.
- Producers will gain knowledge of storage capabilities that can add value to crops.
- Producers will gain knowledge on dividing pasture fields for rotational grazing to improve forage quantity and quality.
- Producers will gain knowledge on pesticide safety and why it is important to all on the operation.
- Producers will learn about using better varieties to improve forage quality and yield.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
- Clients make changes to increase stream health and teach others.
Initial Outcome: Wildlife enthusiast will gain knowledge of soil, forages, food plots and conservation practices
Indicator: Attendees to wildlife program series
Method: visual appraisal/ survey
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Initial Outcome: Clients & youth learn how to test the streams health.
Indicator: Number of individuals who planned to apply what they learned from this program to address water issues
Method: visual appraisal/ survey
Timeline: Spring & Fall
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will gain knowledge on dividing pasture fields for rotational grazing to improve forage quantity and quality.
Indicator: Pastures and hay fields are subdivided for grazing system
Method: Phone Survey
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Intermediate Outcome: Clients and Youth test stream health in the community
Indicator: Number of those who shared information from this program with at least one other individual
Method: observation
Timeline: Samples are collected three times per year
Long-term Outcome: Producers will benefit from soil testing.
Indicator: Producers see crop responses to soil testing efforts in yields and plant vigor.
Method: Testimony.
Timeline: Spring/fall
Long-term Outcome: Client and youth change behavior to increase stream health.
Indicator: Number of those who reported going beyond the program to learn more about best practices to protect and/or conserve water resources
Method: Observation and Surveys
Timeline: Spring, summer, fall (after activity)
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Agronomy Day
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists
Dates: Annually every February
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Master Grazer/Grazing Program
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists
Date: Early spring
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Farm School for Women
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists
Date: Fall
Audience: Outdoor Enthusiasts
Project or Activity: Wildlife Series
Content or Curriculum: Food plots, Harvest/Carcass Prep, Cook Wild KY
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists, land, food plot
Date: Summer/late fall
Audience: Tobacco Farmers
Project or Activity: Tobacco Production/GAP
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists
Date: Early spring
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Pesticide Certification
Content or Curriculum: KDA/UK Approved materials
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialist materials
Date: February through early April
Audience: High School Agriculture Classes
Project or Activity: Farm Inc.
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, FFA Advisor, High School Agriculture Classes, Soil Conservation, Farm Loan Officer
Date: Spring
Audience: Youth & Adults
Project or Activity: Water-Watch Test Streams
Content or Curriculum: Water-Watch curriculum
Inputs: Horticulture Agent, NRCS, teachers
Date: Spring, summer & fall
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
With a prolonged worldwide pandemic many facets of day-to-day operations have been changed. Since the winter of 2021, the Mason County Extension Service has been able to hold more in-person programming to meet the needs of local clientele. The agriculture program has offered or worked with local groups to offer over twenty education programs that were held in-person. Some of the topics were Tobacco GAP, BQCA, private pesticide certification, pasture weeds, soil fertili
