Rockcastle County CES

Title:

Improve Crop Production and Management

MAP:

Promote Crop Procuction and Management

Agents Involved:

Garrard Coffey

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Chemical Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Hay testing

Situation:

New and improved crop production practices are continually developing. Rockcastle Producers manage 30,000 acres pasture, 20,000 acres hay, 3,000 acres corn 2,500 acres soybeans, along with Home & Commercial Vegetables.Producers need assistance placing practices in use to improve their production and marketing.forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers assist in program identification and implantation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers utilize better management skills through current technology allowing for increased income and economic stability and long term sustainability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

 Forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers will seek and implement new management marketing skills.

Initial Outcomes:

Agriculture producers will gain knowledge in current technology and implement practices as it relates to crop and horticulture production, including variety selection, disease management, fertility recommendations, storage, CAIP investments and marketing.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Producers utilize area producer meetings, variety trials, soil test, weed management and Extension farm visits.

Indicator: Number utilizing and measure impact.

Method: Survey producers to collect data.

Timeline: Spring through Fall (February-November)

Outcome: Forage producers utilize producer meetings, soil test, County Agriculture Investment Program and hay storage facilities.

Indicator: Number of producers attending meetings, number and results of soil test, participation in CAIP, number and amount hay stored in facilities.

Method: Number in meetings, participation in CAIP, plus analyze data from soil test and completion surveys.

Timeline: Year round

Outcome: Horticulture producers utilize producer meetings, variety selection, soils test, Farmers Market, WIC, and Senior Grants.

Indicator: Number of producers in market and amounts generated.

Method: Survey producers and collect data.

Timeline: March through October

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Forage and Livestock producers

Project or Activity: Hay testing, Soil testing, forage improvement, forage management, farm management, conservation practices, Pesticide applicator trainings

Content or Curriculum: Fertility management, variety selection, forage management, harvesting and storage methods.

Inputs: Agent and Specialist work on variety selection, harvesting, fertility recommendations, cost share for storage programs, Special Circular Material, and personal visits, podcasts, youtube and facebook videos

Date: Year round

Audience: Home and Commercial Horticulture Producers

Project or Activity: Farmers Market planning, Producer Best Practice Training, Senior Voucher and WIC programs, Disease management/prevention, soil testing, plant diagnostics, Pest Management, Pesticide Applicator Trainings

Content or Curriculum: Production methods, fertility recommendations,variety selection, disease management,qualifying for nutrition grants and marketing.

Inputs: Agent, Dept. of Agriculture, Health Department and Senior Center Staff will work with Farmer Market Vendors, podcasts, and instructional videos on facebook and youtube

Date: April-October

Success Stories