Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Livestock Management, Marketing, and Education
Agriculture Education, Advancement & Sustainability
Smith, Howard
Beef
Forages
Grains
Agriculture
Nelson County is a diversified agricultural county. The 2017 Census of agriculture indicates Nelson County ranks 9th in all hay, 31st in tobacco, 21st in grains/oilseeds, 24th in swine, 18th in dairy, 14th in all cattle and calves. The county ranks 29th in overall cash receipts for agriculture products. The total value of Agriculture products sold was just over $67.1 million. Forty-Two million ($42 million) came from crops while $25 million came from livestock. Since the 2012 Agriculture census, our county has seen a major decline in dairy operations and tobacco demand and a very large increase in local demand for corn due to the explosion of the bourbon industry worldwide.
Sustainability of family farms was identified by 27.72% of respondents in the Nelson County Extension Community Assessment as the top priority to address. Nineteen percent (19%) of those same respondents identified more market opportunities for farmers as a top priority as well. As this is written the pandemic has shone a light on the necessity of a community to be able to grow and process its own food. The subsequent meat production bottleneck and meat shortage should give rise to an opportunity for on-farm sales and a more exuberant local market. We in Extension can help develop those markets, identify where opportunities are, investigate new crops, and investigate efficiencies. The necessity to develop local markets that ultimately keep dollars spent in a community in the community can increase the overall sustainability of our community. As this is written the pandemic has shone a light on the necessity of a community to be able to grow and process its own food. The subsequent meat production bottleneck and meat shortage should give rise to an opportunity for on-farm sales and a more exuberant local market.
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 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.
Farmers to attain a level of net income sustainability that provides a comfortable standard of living for their families, through a more efficient level of production management and marketing. New local markets open up to shorten the supply chain between farm and consumer. 4-Hers go on to study an area of agriculture in post-secondary education or gain employment within the field.
Farm cooperatives will adopt improved production management and marketing techniques in the areas of crops and livestock so that production is increased economically, or that costs are reduced without sacrificing production.
More farm families participate and become knowledgeable about how the food supply chain works and how they can fit in more efficiently.
4-H Youth will use the knowledge obtained from judging and skillathon events to purchase, raise, groom, and exhibit their animals.
4-H Volunteers will apply the knowledge they acquire through the 4-H Livestock Volunteer Certification Process and continuing education to educate and mentor youth 4-Hers involved in Livestock projects.
High school youth will tour various agriculture production operations and participate in interactive learning stations that focus on production, marketing, and sustainability, including but not limited to the country ham project.
- Farmers will gain knowledge in recommended practices for production and marketing and will aspire to implement the in their farming operation to improve profitability.
- 4-H & High School Youth will:
- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
- Increase their understanding of the development of living things.
Initial Outcome: Increased profitability, practices implemented and knowledge gained in crop and livestock operations.
Indicator: The number of individuals who increase knowledge and awareness in the topic presented and aspire to implement the practice changes in their operation. The number of practices implemented, and amount of increased profitability will also be measured.
Method: Post session evaluations, Personal contact and observation, Follow-up surveys.
Timeline: Post session evaluating, six months for the follow-up and continuous for observation and personal contact.
Initial Outcome: 4-H & High School Youth will:
- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
Indicator: The number of youth completing a livestock project or participating in 4-H livestock events.
Method:. Observation during Livestock events
Timeline: During Fair and Show Season
Intermediate Outcome:Youth will understand and be able to demonstrate the complete Market to Market process of purchasing, curing and marketing a country ham.
Indicator:Presentation of a county and/or state fair speech or demonstration.
Method: Certified livestock volunteer lead workshops and classes.
Timeline:7 months after initial curing process.
4-H common Measure for evaluation will be phased in during the 2019/20 program years
Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP Training
Content or Curriculum: Supplied by Tobacco GAP Connections
Inputs: Meeting Announcement Letters and Agent Time
Date: February
Audience: Nelson County Producers
Project or Activity: County agriculture Investment Fund educational activities
Content or Curriculum: BQA, Cattle Handling Certification and various other educational meetings as needed.
Inputs: Agent Time, Meeting announcement letters
Date: October, December, January
Audience: Youth Livestock & Jr. Master Cattlemen participants
Project or Activity: Livestock and small animal Education
Content or Curriculum: KDA State Guidelines & 4-H/ANR Curriculum
Inputs: Agent Time, Farm Tours, and Fairgrounds
Date: as scheduled
Audience: Master Cattleman Graduates
Project or Activity: Applied Master Cattleman Class
Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM Applied MC Curriculum
Inputs: Agent time, transportation, meeting room, etc.
Dates: Fall
Audience: Beef Cattle Association
Project or Activity: Educational Component of regular meetings
Content of Curriculum: Specialist delivered based on Needs of the time
Inputs: Hosting, organizing, facilitating, etc.
Date: ongoing
Audience: 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Certification program
Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Livestock Curriculum and Client Protection Policies
Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding
Date: As needed
Audience: 4-H Ham Club Participants
Project or Activity: 4-H Market to Market Ham Club
Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum and Enrichment
Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding
Date: Fall to Summer
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Master Haymaker program
Content or Curriculum:: Series of classes taught by specialists
Inputs: Agent and Specialists
Date: Winter
Author: Robert Smith
Major Program: Chemical Management
During the past couple of years, concern has grown that a population of herbicide-resistant Johnsongrass existed within the county. We were contacted by a farm to investigate whether this was in fact the case and what the implications might be for them going forward. After a consultation and a field inspection, it was determined that a replicated variable rate trial with different classes of herbicides would be in order. Three herbicides were applied over the top of the marked
Author: Hollyn Howard
Major Program: Agriculture
"Life-skill development through hands-on learning is a cornerstone of 4-H youth programs. 4-H projects embrace youth life-skill development by providing means to encourage young people to become responsible, productive citizens (Ward, 1996). Participation in the 4-H horse project and non-riding competitive horse-related contests are tools for youth to develop life skills such as leadership, sportsmanship, and handling pressure while simultaneously enhancing their horse knowledge. For youth
Author: Marsha Hagler
Major Program: Community Engagement
In 2020, Nelson County Cooperative Extension piloted a community based program intended to increase awareness of Agriculture in our community, increase social media traffic to our office Facebook page and serve as a fundraiser for 4-H. The 2020 Bale Trail was a successful endeavor, so in 2021, our office collaborated with local farms, businesses and organizations to offer the event again.The goals of the 2021 Bale Trail were to:Support 4-H (through sponsorships and community awareness)Bri
Author: Robert Smith
Major Program: Beekeeping
The Nelson County Beekeepers association and the Nelson County Cooperative Extension Service hosted a “Sustainable Beekeeping School” for the central Kentucky area. The focus of the school was to teach sustainable practices that could help keep beekeepers engaged in the practice of beekeeping while decreasing the out lay of expenses and decrease losses. The day long workshop looked at how to properly observe nature to gauge what might be happening in the hive. We lo
Author: Robert Smith
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
For more than twenty years the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund has been a staple of Nelson County agriculture advancement. To date over $3,500,000 has been distributed to farmers and farm businesses in our county. Entities like Boones Butcher Shop and McIntyres Winery were early beneficiaries of the funds and that helped rebuild and develop these Nelson County staples. The fund has helped make farms safer by revamping countless cattle handling facilities, increased safe
