Extension
It Starts With Us
Market, Technology, Horticulture, Livestock, Wildlife, Management Development
Sustainable Production and Marketing of Agriculture Products
FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Horticulture, Commercial
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Located in the center of the "Golden Triangle," Owen County is within an hour's drive of the major urban markets of Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington. Owen County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the emerging direct marketing, locally sourced food movement. A growing number of vegetable, fruit, berry and cut-flower producers are marketing their products in farmers markets in these urban centers. New technologies are being tested and demonstrated to increase production, improve quality and bring produce to market earlier.
* Successful home and commercial projects will serve as models and teaching tools for others
* Increased home horticulture production will result in family food dollars saved and healthier meals
* Commercial producers will have increased profitability due to improved production and marketing
* Increase home horticulture in and around the home for families
* Participants will begin implements new technologies to increase or enhance harvest
* Participants will begin exploring new marketing outlets
* Participants will begin making changes in practices around the home
* Participants will be exposed to a variety of productions methods such as raised beds, plastic mulching, high tunnels, drip irrigation, greenhouses and hydroponics
* Participants will explore various marketing options such as roadside marketing, farmers markets, marketing to wholesalers and internet marketing.
* Participants will explore ways to change their home surrounding
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of improved production technologies and marketing opportunities
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations related to home and commercial horticulture
Method: pre/post-tests, phone conversations
Timeline: April-May (2020-2024)
Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of new technologies and participation in new marketing opportunities
Indicator: Number of producers utilizing new technologies and marketing opportunities introduced by Extension
Method: Phone calls, Home and farm visits, questionnaires
Timeline: June, (2020-2024)
Long-term Outcome: New horticulture production systems which are profitable serve as teaching tools for others
Indicator: Number of homeowners and producers self-reporting an increase in profits as a result of adopting one or more practices recommended by Extension
Method: Surveys, home, and farm visits
Timeline: Ongoing (2020-2024)
Audience: Current and potential home gardeners
Project or Activity: Home Gardening Class
Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: UK Consumer Horticulture Specialist, video presentation, FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Date: March 2020-2024
Audience: Current and potential commercial horticulture producers
Project or Activity: Commercial Greenhouse Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: UK Horticulture Specialists, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits, FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Date: May 2020-2024
Audience: Commercial Horticulture producers
Project or Activity: Sharing new marketing opportunities with producers
Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: Newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits, FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Date: Ongoing 2020-2024
Audience: Home Owners, Woodlot Owners, and Commercial Producers
Project or Activity: Beginning and Intermediate Beekeeping Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Research-based information, U.K. publications
Inputs: KDA and State Beekeeping Association Representatives, Newsletters, Direct Mailing, Newspaper articles, FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Date: September 2020-2024
Audience: Landowners with woodlots
Project or Activity: Marketing Forest Products Webinar
Content or Curriculum: Research-based webinar presentations
Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Date: October 2020-2024
Audience: Landowners with woodlots
Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushroom Production Training
Content or Curriculum: Research-based video presentations
Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Date: November 2020-2024
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Home Horticulture
Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: Northern KY Horticulture Extension Agents, FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Date: February 2020-2024
Author: Kendal Bowman
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Owen County Kentucky has 157,396 acres of reported farmland. That requires a lot of fences to be installed, maintained, and repaired around the county. Fences may be used to protect or divide property, to improve its appearance, to confine animals, or to exclude animals. Fencing is one of the best long-term investments you’ll make on your farm. A good fence should last anywhere from 25 to 50 years.It would be a safe to say, there has been a generation removed from the farm. A lot of beginn
Author: Kendal Bowman
Major Program: Beef
Having the largest number of cattle east of the Mississippi; Kentucky is known for producing good, quality, beef cattle. As with anything else, there is always room for improvement. Genetics are the foundational step for achieving this. The best method in achieving superior genetics is utilizing artificial insemination (AI) in your herd. Artificial insemination allows the producer to identify and use individual sires from around the world to enhance the inadequate desires found in the dam and he
Author: Kendal Bowman
Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health - ANR
Owen County Ag Agent Kendal Bowman set out on a mission to increase the diversity and inclusion within his programs by “Building the bridge with underserved religious populations in rural communities- Amish & Mennonite population”. Bowman worked with a local dairy farmer that identifies with the Mennonite faith. They developed a plan to offer a farm tour of their local dairy operation. Bowman partnered with Eastern Kentucky University Agriculture Department to bring their dairy s
Author: Kendal Bowman
Major Program: Beef
NKY Cow Calf School Attracts All Levels of Cattle Producers According to the USDA nearly 1 in 4 farmers are new to farming. Recently, the Extension service has noticed there are a significant number of individuals relocating into northern Kentucky that have an interest in sustainable homesteading. Since the topography of northern Kentucky is well suited to produce forage & livestock, many of these individuals seek to add cattle production for their own use.The northern Kentucky Ag
