Sustainable and Profitable AgriculturePlan of Work

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Jessamine County CES

Title:
Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture
MAP:
Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Steve Musen, Karli Giles, Cathy Weaver
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Farm Diversification
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

Due to declining world-wide demand for tobacco products, tobacco sales have fallen from a high of over 60%, to a current value of 22% of the total value of agriculture crops sold in Jessamine County. House Bill 611 and the implementation of the Governor’s Office of Ag. Policy’s (GOAP) Agriculture Development Fund and the County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) has allowed for the allocation over $3.1 million, over a 16-year period. These funds have been used to assist in the restructuring of Jessamine County Agriculture, helping to alleviate financial challenges caused by the loss of tobacco income and diversify the agriculture production base.

Much of Jessamine County contains rolling topography which is best suited to the production of livestock and forages.  With 62,414 acres in pastureland and 29,012 acres in forage production (69.3% of total cropland), Jessamine County has the potential of supporting more than the current 20,500 total head of cattle (beef and dairy) with improved pasture efficiency through more careful management and intensive grazing. Growing Forages for livestock grazing and hay production is one of Jessamine County’s most important agronomic enterprises. The Bluegrass Region, with its deep, fertile soils and gently rolling hillsides, is uniquely suited to producing some of the fastest racehorses and most productive livestock operations in the world.

Beef cattle still plays a major role, generating the majority of farm income in the county. Farmers here are also looking at alternative enterprises to generate income. Hemp has generated a tremendous amount of interest along with goats, sheep, fruit and flower production. There are also a number of small vegetable producers and several organizations working with community based gardens. Land prices still remain one of the most limiting factors for individuals wanting to get in to production agriculture. Farm land in this community goes from a low of around $4,000/acre to well over $10,000/acre. If there is a high level of development potential, land prices are near $30,000/acre.

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life

Long-Term Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will be profitable, safe and sustainable.

•    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



Intermediate Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will begin to implement strategies to ensure that their enterprises are profitable, safe and sustainable.

•    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. 


Initial Outcomes:

Commercial Agriculture Enterprises (beef cattle, equine, forage, grain crops, small ruminants, bee keepers, woodlot managers and hemp producers) will attend various training opportunities to gain the skills and knowledge to ensure their operations are profitable, safe and sustainable.

•    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.


Evaluation:


Long-Term Outcome:


Intermediate Outcome:


Initial Outcome:

Outcome to be Evaluated

Indicator of Success for Outcome

Method of Evaluation

Learning Opportunities:

* Project or Activity: BQCA Certification Training

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Certifications Training

Project or Activity: Ag Financial Planning and Marketing

Project or Activity: Forage Production Training

Project or Activity: Educational Farm Tour

Project or Activity: Winter Feeding Strategies

Project or Activity: Producer Best Practice - Food Safety Training

Project or Activity: Equine Forage and Facilities Expo

Project or Activity: Pastures Please!

Project or Activity: Kentucky Beef Conference

Project or Activity: Kentucky Stocker Conference

Project or Activity: Ag Lenders Conference

Project or Activity: Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Project or Activity: Tobacco Production Update

Project or Activity: Hemp Production Update


4-H Livestock Program

4-H Horse Program

4-H Poultry Program

4-H Country Ham Program

4-H Horticulture Program

4-H Rabbit Program

4-H Dog Program



Success Stories

U.K. Equine Farm and Facilities Expo Effectively Reaching the Central Kentucky Equine Community

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Equine

In order to help equine producers be efficient and profitable, Central Kentucky County Extension Agents for Agriculture & Natural Resources collaborated with Ag Equine Programs to offer the Equine Farm and Facilities Expo. The assistance of long-time business community sponsors allowed producers to see what the latest offerings are in farm machinery, equine nutrition products, and numerous other necessities for equine operations. Just like in years past, the expo included discussions an

Full Story

Livestock Sale

Author: Catherine Weaver

Major Program: Agriculture

The Jessamine County 4-H and FFA Investment in Youth Livestock Sale began in 2004 and continues to be the highlight for our livestock exhibitors each year. The 2021 Jessamine County 4-H and FFA Investment in Youth Livestock Sale was a huge success once again. This was the 17th year for this event. 39 youth offered steers, goats, hogs and country hams - for sale as completion of their 2021 project. Our first year, we had 10 consigners in the sale, so as you can see, we have grown a great deal. Th

Full Story

County Ag. Investment Program Helps Expand and Diversify Agriculture in Jessamine County

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The Kentucky Ag. Development Funds County Ag. Investment Program (CAIP) cost-share program has been used to assist in the restructuring of Jessamine County Agriculture, helping to alleviate financial challenges caused by the loss of tobacco income and diversify the agriculture production base. The nine members of the Jessamine County Agriculture Development Board, in cooperation with the Jessamine County Extension ANR Agent, have worked hard to maximize the use of the KADF cost-share funds

Full Story

Forage Management Field Day

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Forages

Much of Jessamine County contains rolling topography which is best suited to the production of livestock and forages.  With 62,414 acres in pastureland and 29,012 acres in forage production (69.3% of total cropland), Jessamine County has the potential of supporting more than the current 20,500 total head of cattle (beef and dairy) with improved pasture efficiency through more careful management and intensive grazing. Growing Forages for livestock grazing and hay production is one of Jessami

Full Story
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