Whitley County CES

Title:

Farm Mentoring Through Social, Economic, and Environmental Awareness

MAP:

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Forages

Situation:

Between 2007 and 2012 the average age of a Kentucky farmer went from 53.4 to 57.6 and Kentucky saw the greatest decline in farmland compared to any other state between these years. These statistics echo common issues identified by ANR clientele which included a need for more focus on new/beginning farmers and youth. Also identified was a need for more information about new and emerging markets and innovative, money-saving techniques and practices. Members of the Whitley County ANR Council discussed ways in which these goals could be met through farm mentoring. Also, without bees there could no be sustainable agriculture. Honey bees have a large impact on 15 billion dollars of agricultural industry in the US and from 2015 to 2016 Kentucky lost 30% of it's honeybee hives. Whitley County has an active beekeeper association that is working with the Whitley County Extension Service to educate area residents and increase the amount of healthy, working hives.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Agricultural enterprises managed by new and beginning farmers become more profitable.

An environment is established for the effective inter-generational transfer of innovations and ideas in a variety of areas like beef quality, bee keeping, and horticulture.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Established producers serve as mentors at educational events on a regular basis, through presentations or more informal panel discussions.

Initial Outcomes:

A willingness exists by a number of established producers to share their expertise.

New farmers gain knowledge of success farm practices and innovative solutions.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome:
Indicator: New and beginning farmers report profitability
Method: Focus group(s), surveys
Timeline: 2017-2020

Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Established farmers speak/present at organized events
Method: Focus group(s)
Timeline: 2016-2018

Initial Outcome:
Indicator: New farmers report knowledge gained
Method: Survey
Timeline: 2016-2017

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: BQA Training
Content or Curriculum: KCA, UK Resources
Input: ANR, Hort Agent
Date: 2015-2020

Audience: Farmers Market and Other Vendors
Project or Activity: GAP Training
Content or Curriculum: UK Resources
Input: ANR, Hort Agent
Date: Spring

Audience: New and Beginning Farmers
Project or Activity: Farm Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Farm-Specific Practices
Inputs: Agents, Local Farms, UK, FFA, Master Gardeners
Date: 2017

Audience: County Farmers and Farmers Market Customers
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Producer Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Farmer-Experience
Inputs: Producers, Extension Facilities
Date: 2016-2020

Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattleman
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK CES, local producers
Date: 2016-2020

Audience: Aspiring Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Get Started in Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: UK, KSU, KDA
Inputs: UK, KSU, KDA, Local Beekeepers
Date: 2018-19

Audience: Aspiring Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Southeastern Kentucky Beekeeping School
Content or Curriculum: UK, KSU
Inputs: KDA, CES, FFA, Local Beekeepers
Date: 2019

Audience: Whitley County Residence
Project or Activity: Earth Day/Week
Content or Curriculum: Community Organizations, Publication, Art
Inputs: Agents, community leaders, Whitley County Health department, NRCS, other local organizations and businesses
Date: April

Audience: Youth and Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Project WET
Content or Curriculum: Project WET Curriculum
Inputs: Horticulture, Fine Arts, Whitley County Fiscal Court
Date: 2018-2020

Audience: Homeowners and landowners
Project or Activity: Earth Day Tree Giveaway
Content or Curriculum: Importance of trees, how to plant, and promoting extension
Inputs: Tree seedlings, Farmer's Market, All agents
Date: Ongoing

Audience: Farmers and people interested in improving their gardens, farms, and landscapes
Project or Activity: Garden and Farm Tours (Horticulture, Landscape, and Floriculture)
Content or Curriculum: Visit Whitley County and surrounding county farms
Inputs: Farmers and their farms, Gardeners and their gardens, Horticulture agent, transportation
Date: 2017

Success Stories