Muhlenberg County CES

Title:

Planning for the Family and Farm

MAP:

Improving Production and Management

Agents Involved:

Darrell Simpson

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Situation:

All agricultural commodities are facing an uncertain future in terms of obtaining and sustaining a profit margin. Based on survey results from Kentucky Extension Community Assessment conducted in Muhlenberg County, 20.19% of of the respondents said that sustainability of family farms was a priority.  Lack of profitability could result in unintended consequences on a personal and professional level. Commodity Councils and County Extension Council members provided suggested programming input so as to try and reduce or alleviate potential hardships or economic catastrophes.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Clientele will assess business decisions and gain management and production skills that will help sustain their farm businesses.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Clientele participate in educational programs and utilize information gained.

Initial Outcomes:

Agricultural producers will start a dialogue within their business regarding enhanced production and management practices.

Agricultural producers will adopt production practices.

Evaluation:

One to One visits, phone and or written surveys will be used following educational programs. This will be used throughout the four year plan of work.

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits

Timeline: Annually- 2022-2023

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Improved planning for production and management will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits and post program surveys will be utilized.

Timeline: After programs and on an annual basis.

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.

Method: One to one visits

Timeline: Annually 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Agricultural Producers

Project or activity: Monthly beef, forage and vegetable production meetings, field trips, and or demonstrations.

Content or curriculum: Educational programs UK specialist and local ANR agent

Inputs: Agent, specialist, and volunteer time, office space

Date: Monthly on an annual basis 

Audience: Agriculture producers and their family members

Project or Activity:  Financial Awareness

Content or Curriculum: CAFE budgets and Farm Analysis reports

Inputs: Specialists, Farm analysis specialists and ANR agents, volunteer time, Program Support funds

Date: Program year 2022-2023

Success Stories

Farmers Utilize CAIP Funds to Reinvest into Farm Businesses

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Reinvestment in a business is a must if that business is to succeed. Farming is no exception. Muhlenberg County farmers have been utilizing funds from the County Agriculture Investment Program (CAIP) for several years to do just that. Those reinvestments have included honeybees, vegetables, grain, forages, sheep, and beef cattle. This agent obtained information from the administrator of the Muhlenberg County Cattlemen's Association to ascertain the amount of money that County Agriculture Inv

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Beef Producers and Consumers Learn about Local Food Systems

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Beef producers can add value to their beef cattle by educating themselves and their consumers about beef products.This agent collaborated with Dr. Katie VanValin, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment,Beef Cattle Specialist and Dr.Gregg Rentfrow, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Meats Specialists to provide a program to help producers and consumers alike. The program entitled Producing Beef for the Consumer utilized class room prese

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