Extension
It Starts With Us
Fixating the Focus on the Local Food Supply
Elevating Local Food Systems
FCS, 4H agent, Ammerman
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Commercial
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Volunteer Development
Recent community needs assessment coupled with the global pandemic have shifted consumers focus from large chain grocery stores toward locally sourced items to fulfill their need for food staples.
Consumer demand for locally grown and processed foods continues to climb. Farmers recognize and respond to consumer demand and retaliate by matching with supply.
Farmer's look toward alternative methods of production and sales of off farm products. Farm respond quicker to consumer demands.
Farmers acquire knowledge to understand new and emerging markets. Farmer's also adjust production and marketing practices to reach new consumer populous.
Increase in farm gate revenues, More consumers purchase locally raised foods.
Audience: Cattle Owners
Project or Activity: Building Better Beef
Content or Curriculum: UK Beef IRM
Inputs: Agent and UK website
Date: monthly throughout the year
Audience: Beef Farmers
Project of Activity: Master Cattlemen
Content or Curriculum: UK Beef IRM and UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: Fall 2021
Audience: Goat Producers
Project of Activity: Meat Goat Updates
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications, KSU specialists
Date: March 2022
Audience: Sheep and Goat Farmers
Project of Activity: Small Ruminant Workshop
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications KSU specialists
Date: March 2022
Audience: 4H Livestock Youth
Project of Activity: 4H Youth Livestock Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Getting your Goat, Stepping Out, Showing the Way
Inputs: Dairy Goat Club members and leader
Date: All year Long
Audience: Forage Farmers
Project or Activity: Controlling Weeds in Pastures and Hayfields
Content or Curriculum: UK Agronomy
Inputs: Agent and UK website
Date: March 2022
Audience: Forage Farmers
Project or Activity: Pasture Renovation
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: Feb 2022
Audience: County Ag Investment Program Farmers
Project of Activity: Hay Storage to increase profits
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: Fall 2021
Audience: Dairy and Beef Farmers
Project of Activity: Silage Production Update
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications,
Date: March 2022
Audience: Grain Farmers
Project of Activity: Early Bird Grain Meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: Jan 2022
Audience: Vegetable Farmers
Project of Activity: Extending the Growing Season
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: Feb - March 2022
Audience: Vegetable Farmers
Project of Activity: Producers Best Practices Training
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: Feb 2022
Audience: Farmer’s Markets
Project of Activity: SNAP-Ed, WIC and Senior Coupons
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: winter 2022 throughout the growing season
Audience: Farmer’s Markets SNAP-Ed
Project of Activity: Sampling
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists
Date: ongoing throughout the year
Audience: 6,7, & 8 Graders
Project of Activity: GCMS Garden
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agent and volunteers
Date: March –Sept 2022
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project of Activity: 4-H Horticulture Club
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications
Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agents and volunteers
Date: March – Oct 2022
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Beef
In recent years traditional livestock husbandry has come under attack by the media and special interest groups. A few bad actors have further perpetuated a negative mindset of modern livestock practices in the minds of consumers. Maintain a positive image of cattle farms and farm families in the mind of consumers is paramount for farmers to continue to realize all time market highs.Extension specialists and agents from the University of Kentucky collaborated with farmer leaders from
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The scope of agriculture in Grant County has evolved over the past 20 years. Burley tobacco production no longer remains the economic driver for farm revenue. Farmers looked to supplement the loss of tobacco income with more and additional sources for farm revenue. The Grant County Agriculture Development Council has been proactive in utilizing funds from the Master Settlement Agreement to assist farmers. These efforts allow farmers to merge their businesses with the late
