Extension
It Starts With Us
Production Agriculture
Advancing Sustainable Crop Production Systems Big and Small
Shane Bogle, Rhonda Jewell, Ashley White
Grain Crops
Commercial Horticulture
Sustainable Agriculture
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Change is a constant in everything but it especially rings true for production agriculture. the last several years have seen a grain production boom in Caldwell County. Stiff competition for land made cash rents increase to never seen before levels. As prices have lowered sharply in the last year producers that were unprepared and have overspent are feeling the crunch. Lease rates are slower to follow this downward trend as landowners have grown accustomed to being paid more for their ground. Specialty crops such as canola and grain sorghum are a more common sight. Many tobacco producers that have transitioned away from tobacco are still looking for ways to replace that income. A flurry of high tunnel greenhouses have started in Caldwell County helping with this and participation in the Caldwell On-line and traditional farmers market. Phase I and USDA state cost shares have helped this along.
Producers will improve quality of life by increasing revenue in production agriculture.
Producers will implement environmentally safe practices for pesticide and fertilizer applications.
Producers will utilize rinse and return programs to improve the environment.
Producers will gain a better understanding of grain marketing and futures contracts.
Producers will explore new crop opportunities.
Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
The public will become aware of the importance of agriculture to the community.
Producers will implement policy changes learned at educational meetings.
Producers will understand the opportunity to produce alternate crops.
Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources.
Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Producers will utilize up-to-date decision making information concerning the field of production agriculture
Producers will utilize the tools to make important production decisions concerning economics and safe agronomic practices and adoption of new crop enterprises.
Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies.
Initial Outcome: Producers will gain a better understanding of grain marketing and new production practices utilizing the latest research.
Indicator: Producers that change current marketing and production practices as a result of grain, beef, forage, tobacco, and vegetable production education meetings.
Method: observations, Kentucky Ag Statistics, on farm visits
Timeline: 1-4 years
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will see increased profits
Indicator: cash receipts
Method: UK Farm analysis data, USDA Survey data
Timeline: 1-4 years
Long-term Outcome: operations are thriving and expanding
Indicator: cash receipts, farm expansion and quality of living increase
Method: farm visits, USDA survey data
Timeline: 1-4 years
Audience: Community Leaders, Producers
Project or Activity: Farm to Table program
Content or Curriculum: Hometown Harvest
Inputs: Community, Farmers Market, Extension, Donors
Date: July 2017
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Rinse and Return Program
Content or Curriculum: KDA
Inputs: KDA, Extension
Date: August 2018
Audience: Producers, General Public
Project or Activity:Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: PAT-1
Inputs: Agent
Date: Fall, Winter
Audience: Producers, Lenders
Project or Activity: County grain meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK specialists
Inputs: Agent, specialist
Date: Winter each year
Audience: Producers, Lenders ect.
Project or Activity: Tobacco production update
Content or Curriculum: UK/UT Specialist
Inputs: Agent specialists
Date: Winter each year
Audience: Farmers Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Farmers market Production meeting/GAP training
Content or Curriculum: UK/KDA / Public Health
Inputs: Agent, KDA, UK, Public Health
Date: Spring each year
Audience: Students in Caldwell County Schools
Project or Activity: Trash Sculpture
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Youth, Agent, CCS Natural Resources Curriculum
Date: November 2017
Audience: Forest Owners/Wildlife Enthusiasts
Project or Activity: Woodland Owners Short Course
Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry
Inputs: Wildlife, Forestry, Extension,
Date: August 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farm, Food, and Fitness
Content or Curriculum: My Plate
Inputs: Agents
Date: Summer 2018
Audience: public
Project or Activity: Soil To Shelf Series
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener
Inputs: Agent, UK
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Jr. Sr. Forestry Field Day
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Forestry Dept.
Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, KY Division of Forestry, Land Bewteen the Lakes
Date: Fall 2017 and Spring 2018
Audience: Caldwell County Elementary 3rd grade students
Project or Activity:Food For America
Content or Curriculum: Caldwell County FFA, local farmers, Ag related businesses
Inputs: Agents, community, farmers,
Date: Fall 2017
Audience: Caldwell County Teens
Project or Activity: State Forestry Contest
Content or Curriculum: National Forestry Contest
Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, Bernheim National Forest
Date: April 2018
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The influx of social media has skyrocketed over the past few years. The on-going and increasing demand of customers online has confirmed that the reality of social media is not one of fad or trend, but one that is here to stay, permanently. Social media does, in fact, help get the word out about Extension. But even more important than the exposure, it provides the opportunity to grow relationships with your target and even non-target audience. Local needs assessments last year identif
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Beef
Kentucky remains the largest cow and calf producing state east of the Mississippi River. Producers in Caldwell, Crittenden, and Trigg County rely heavily on income generated from cattle production. The past success of the Master Cattlemen Program has helped spread the word of the benefits of participation in the minds of new and seasoned producers alike. Agents in the above mentioned counties used waiting lists to offer the Master Cattlemen Program. 29 producers from 4 cou
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Summer is an important time in West Kentucky. Its a time of plenty, and in Kentucky there is plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables available to enjoy. According to the CDC 45% of Kentuckians consume fresh fruits and vegetables at least 1.5 times each day. Since fresh fruits and vegetables are often consumed raw, producing them safely to reduce the risk of food borne illness is of utmost importance. The CDC reports that 48 million people a year are affected by some form of
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
The importance of the private pesticide applicator license process has not changed in many years. Producers wishing to purchase and use restricted and general use pesticides are required to hold this license. But in recent years just as many license holders are not farmers but general land owners, and gardeners. Training's held in Caldwell County the last several years have focused heavily on all types of applicators not just our large farmers. Topics including pesticide re
