Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture Advancement
Workforce Preparation
NB
Grains
Beef
Forages
Horticulture, Commercial
Marshall County has a rich history of agriculture. Today, 44% of the land in Marshall County is still in farmland (CEDIK.) According to the Extension Community Needs Assessment, Marshall County residents believe that we need more sustainability of family farmers, more qualified employees for existing and new jobs, more youth life skills training (money management, life decision making, etc.) and better youth and adult career readiness. In order to help fulfill these needs, the Marshall County Extension Agent for ANR will prioritize the following in demand areas of Marshall County agriculture:
1.) Forage and Livestock
Forages and livestock are vital to Marshall County's economy. As livestock margins tighten for these producers, management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance will improve long-term viability of forage-based livestock systems in Marshall County.2.) Grain Crop Production
Grain production makes up over 17 million dollars of revenue for Marshall County yearly (CEDIK) but for the foreseeable future, grain crop production is facing a downward pressure from severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market.) Grain producers need unbiased information now more than ever.3.) Commercial Horticulture
The number of farms and acres being utilized for commercial horticulture operations continues to grow, according to the 2017 USDA Ag. Census. This is driven by consumer preference for affordable, local and fresh food. The current producers and new producers, of which the number of new producers is consistently increasing, need timely information to meet the demands of this ever changing industry.Programming in the areas listed above will help meet the community's demands for more workforce preparation for both residents currently holding and those beginning careers in agriculture in Marshall County.
Sources:
https://cedik.ca.uky.edu/data_profiles/ag_and_food
https://extension.ca.uky.edu/files/marshall_extension_community_assessment_2019.pdf
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Kentucky/st21_1_0001_0001.pdf
Improved farm economic status
Increased long term viability
Greater enjoyment of farming
Improved budgeting, record keeping, and marketing strategies
Increased production
Increased profit margin
Reduced Risk
Minimize negative environmental impact
Improve sustainability
Expansion of Operations
Implementation of best management practices
Increased pride in business and oneself
Adopted Extension practices
Adopt new technology or try alternative/improved production methods
Implement routine soil sampling and follow soil fertility recommendations
Utilization of diagnostic services (weed ID, forage testing, disease diagnostics, insect ID, etc.)
Implementation of on-farm research and demonstrations
Develop plans (grazing plans, Ag. Water quality plans, nutrient management plans, marketing plans, business plans, etc.)
Properly treat diseases and disorders
Improve Management Strategies
Establish new marketing outlets
Improve facilities
Utilize Government programs and Grants
Practice promoting commercial agriculture to public
Increased awareness of:
Extension resources and recommendations
Current land grant research
Diagnostic Services
Best Management Practices
IPM- Integrated Pest Management Practices
On-farm trials
Government programs and grants
How to promote commercial agriculture to the public
Initial Outcome: Recognize the resources UK Extension has to offer.
Indicator: Participation numbers and survey responses
Method: Surveys and Sign in Sheets
Timeline: Continuous
Intermediate Outcome: Increased number of producers utilizing ExtensionIndicator: Number of tests submitted (soil ,diagnostic, forage, etc.), number of client questions, number of farm visits, etc.
Method: Agent records for reporting
Timeline: Continuous
Long-term Outcome: Improved profitability of Marshall County Farmers
Indicator: Farmer admits of having improved profitability due to Extension
Method: Communication with the farmers, surveys, etc.
Timeline: Continuous
Audience: Marshall County's "Agriculture List"
Project or Activity: Nikki's Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Timely updates and articles from the "inputs" below.
Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, program area newsletters (i.e. Grain crops, Forage News, etc., KY Pest News, UK Agriculture Communications Specialist's articles, KDA- Kentucky Department of Ag., USDA- United States Department of Ag., NRCS- Natural Resources Conservation Service, NEP- Nutrition Education Program articles, etc.
Date: Continuous
Audience: Current and aspiring beef and forage producers
Project or Activity: Beef Meetings/Field Days/Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: Master's Programs (Master Grazer, Cattleman, Stocker, marketer, etc.), BQCA-Beef Quality and Care Assurance, PVAP- Post-weaning Value Added Program , BVAP- Bull Value Assessment Program, Off the Hoof Newsletter, etc.
Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, KY Cattleman's Association, Purchase Area Cattleman's Association, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.
Date: TBD
Audience: Current and aspiring livestock or forage/hay producers
Project or Activity: Forage Field Days/Workshops/Farm VisitsContent or Curriculum: UK/KSU Curriculum
Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, KY Forage and Grassland Council, Purchase Area Cattleman's Association, UK Forage News, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.
Date: TBD
Audience: Current and aspiring sheep and goat producers
Project or Activity: Small Ruminant Meetings/Field Days/Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU curriculum and resources
Inputs: UK specialists, agents and resources, KSU, and the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office
Date: TBD
Audience: Current and aspiring grain producers
Project or Activity: Grain Meetings/Field Days/Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU curriculum and resources, Pesticide Applicator Trainings, CCA- Certified Crop Advisor, Field Days/Walks, demonstration plots, etc.
Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, Commodity Associations, UK Grain Newsletter, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.
Date: Winter Ag. Conference- February 2021, Others are TBD
Audience: Current and aspiring commercial horticulturalists
Project or Activity: Commercial Horticulture Workshops/Field Days/Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU curriculum and resources
Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, Commodity Associations, UK Grain Newsletter, KDA, USDA, NRCS, etc.
Date: Winter Ag. Conference- February 2021, Others are TBD
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Research
Content or Curriculum: UK Research Reports
Inputs: Cucurbit Fungicide Trial Participation, Corn Nematode Research Project Participation, Corn Residue Research Project, etc.
Date: Yearly
Audience: Facebook and other media outlet followers
Project or Activity: Social Media Posts
Content or Curriculum: Timely updates and articles from the sources below.
Inputs: UK Specialists, agents, and resources, program area newsletters (i.e. Grain crops, Forage News, etc., KY Pest News, UK Agriculture Communications Specialist's articles, KDA, USDA, NEP articles, etc.
Date: Continuous
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
During the Small Diversified Farm Series, participants indicated a desire to tour a successful diversified farming operation. The host agents made this a reality. Agents form Marshall, Livingston, Calloway, Crittenden, McCracken, Trigg and Caldwell counties collaborated to host the first ever "Small Diversified Farm Field Day."The field day was hosted by Trimble Farms in Caldwell County. The Trimble's Farm operation is very diverse. The family has experience selling fruits, vegetab
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Tornado Response and Recovery
It only took 11 minutes for the EF4 Tornado to rip through Marshall County Kentucky on December 10th, 2021. The county suffered two deaths, countless close calls and an indescribable amount of destruction in its path, which was as wide as a mile in places. Many Marshall county farm families were effected by the storm and were going to need assistance. Nikki Rhein, Marshall County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources knew that she had an opportunity to help. On Dec.11th, Nikki started taki
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Beef
In conjunction with our county Cattlemen's Association, Marshall and McCracken ANR Agents and Adult Agriculture Program hosted a Heifer Development program for producers in our region. Heifer Development has become a profitable niche market for producers with high quality genetics wanting to capitalize on the investment of purchasing said genetics. In addition we have several producers interested in developing heifers for their own operation to reduce the need for additional capital investme
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Tornado Response and Recovery
Continued from initial outcome story-Farmers Look to Extension for Tornado ReliefIt has been six months since the tornado ripped through Marshall County. In this time, Nikki Rhein, Marshall County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, had the privilege of assisting with tornado relief efforts. By simply making herself available to the cause, she was blessed with the opportunity to help funnel donations and assistance efforts to the farmers of her county. Throughout this process,
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Forages
In 2019, a long time farmer and hay producer, Billy Driskoll, reached out to Nikki Rhein, Marshall County's Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, for recommendations concerning his bermudagrass hay fields. Over the next two years Nikki arranged for Billy to meet with University Specialists in a private meetings, she made many field scouting visits, and provided him with recommendations for fungicides, herbicides, fertilizer products/rates, and application techniques. Today in 2022,
