Extension
It Starts With Us
New opportunities for agriculture in Knox County
Furthering Agriculture Diversification
Wayne Kirby, Renata Farmer, Kelsee Dewees
Beef
Forages
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Agriculture
Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves.
With an uncertain economy, the need for agriculture diversification and niche production is at an all time high. Through educational workshops and hands-on farm visits, Knox County Extension will be able to help local farm families determine the best commodities to be successful. The ANR program council identified the need for educational programs that educate them on new markets, production techniques and ways to increase farm revenue but also the need for youth to be educated on agriculture. As a result, the ANR & 4-H programs will team to strive to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Knox County through positive youth development programs on agriculture & natural resources.
- Increased agricultural profitability for Knox County Farmers;
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Farmers will utilize new technology and recommended production techniques to increase productivity and profitability.
- Youths will complete 4-H Country Ham Project.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Gain knowledge of new technology and practices as related to livestock, forages, tobacco, and horses
- Gain skills in farm management.
- Farm families and interested members of the general public will gain a better understanding of animal husbandry and livestock/horse showmanship,
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
Long-Term Outcome: Farmers will increase AG profitability
Indicator: Farmers will expand from traditional methods/crops to diversifying crops/methods to increase profit
Method: Testimonials; observation and pre/post testing.
Timeline: Throughout year
Intermediate Outcome: Farm families and interested members of the general public will gain a better understanding of animal husbandry and livestock/horse showmanship.
Indicator: Individuals will successfully raise and/or show animals as part of 4-H and/or Ag Extension Programs.
Method: Testimonials; observation and pre/post testing.
Timeline: Throughout program plan year
Initial Outcome: Farmers will gain and utilize new knowledge and skills that will help them increase agricultural profitability.
Indicator:Farmers will attend local workshops and will put new information, methods and techniques into practice.
Method: Testimonials; observation.
Timeline: Throughout program plan
Outcome: Youth will plan & implement an agricultural project
Indicator: Youth will participate in an agricultural project (e.g, rabbit club, country ham project, gardening)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Survey Tool
Timeline: Fall 2022/Fall 2023
Audience: Farmers/ Producers
Activity: Farm Visits
Content/Curriculum: Research based information tailored to needs of the producer
Date: Throughout year 2022-2023
Activity: Ag Producer Meetings
Content/Curriculum: Information on production and management of livestock, forages and commercial crops. Information on promotion and advancement of agri-tourism opportunities.
Date: Fall/Spring
Activity: Test Plots
Content/Curriculum: Commercial crops and grazing
Date: Fall 2022/Spring 2023
Audience: Youths
Activity Agircultural based lessons/club lessons/special projects
Content/Curriculum: 4-H publications on chick incubation / country ham / Rabbit curricula / gardening
Date: Throughout school year
Audience: Youth
Activity: Gardening kits
Content / Curriculum: 4-H curriculum and NEP curriculum
Date: Summer
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: News and Views
Content or Curriculum: ANR curriculum on area needed (horticulture, spraying, feeding)
Inputs: agent, assistant
Date: monthly
Audience: Families, Producers, Youth
Project or Activity: Farmers Market exhibit & participation booths
Content or Curriculum: ANR, FCS, 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: agents, assistants, volunteers
Date: Spring, Summer Fall 2022
**Activities may be completed in an online/virtual experience (if needed) or in the tradition in-person setting.
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Forages
With the increase in costs of fertilize, herbicides, and seeds, Knox County Farmers were concerned about total costs of supplies they needed for maximum production in pastures, hayfields, and crop fields.Through training, Knox County Agriculture Agent learned how to use a GPS and measure fields to get precise acres thus decreasing the chance of miscalculations of field acreage and increased costs. By using the GPS to calculate acreage, farmers recognized that they had fields that were overestima
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Beef
The Knox County Cattleman's Association meeting in January 2023 offered a Beef Quality Assurance Training held by the Knox County Ag Agent. In attendance, 15 of the members needed the Beef Quality Assurance Certification to further individual grant opportunities. This certification program is offered in-person through local Extension Offices and offers an online option. The certification fee is waved online however, participants who needed assistance or do not have access to technology resou
Author: Kelsee Dewees
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a person should consume fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy eating pattern to reduce their risk for chronic diseases such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity. Also, less than 10% of older adults meet the dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake. Many of those in Knox County were not aware of how to garden to produce fresh fruits and vegetables. &nbs
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Beef
Following two years of COVID and still seeing a need for more education for cattle farmers in the tri-state region agents from Harlan, Bell and Knox Counties, Kentucky: Lee, Wise, and Scott Counties, VA: and Claiborne and Hancock Counties, TN held in the fifth Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference. The goal was to address the needs and to update cattle farmers on economics of fertilizer, feeding byproducts, Theileria and Asian longhorn tick and four hands
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Grains
Corn is still a traditional crops several farmers in E3 still grow to sale and be used as feed on the farm. With the cost of production per acre increasing each year higher yields are needed to compensate for the expense. Corn growers need to be educated on new technology and production strategies that are research based and shows successful results. To meet the educational need agents in E3 invited Dr. Chad Lee to come and do an area meeting and present research based findin
