Crops and the EnvironmentPlan of Work

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Mason County CES

Title:
Crops and the Environment
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Tad Campbell, Macy Fawns, 4-H Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

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)

Learning Opportunities:

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



Success Stories

Working back to Normal

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

Full Story
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