Extension
It Starts With Us
Crops & Livestock Management & Marketing; Horticulture & Forestry Production, Economics & Marketing
Agricultural Sustainability
Greg Comer, ANR Agent; Gary Druin, 4-H Agent
Beef
Grains
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Ohio County is one of the largest counties in Kentucky, encompassing nearly 381,000 acres. It is also ranked (in top 10%) as one of the largest farm cash receipts generating counties, with over $98 million in farm receipts, according to 2012 NASS statistics. It still has great potential for expansion, with over 100,000 acres of underutilized forages, 50,000 acres of Class II and III land still unimproved and 180,000 acres of undermanaged timber. However, expansion must be accomplished in a sustainable method using improved grazing management, better forestry management techniques, enhanced marketing skills, diversification of enterprises and other sustainable systematic approaches. There is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from, today's society lacks an understanding regarding agricultural production and processing. It is important that extension communicates the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life. One of the key initiatives of Extension and 4-H is to increase the public's awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
•Landowners/producers will adopt integrated production and management systems which are financially and environmentally sustainable.
•Woodland owners will adopt management systems which improve timber/wildlife productivity, while being ecologically sustainable.
•Farmer’s Market vendors will provide safe, nutritious, high quality produce for local consumers.
•Livestock producers will implement livestock marketing avenues which optimize profitability of their operation.
•Youth will use sound animal husbandry practices in maintaining their livestock projects.
*Youth and adults will be agriculturally literate and be able to make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
* Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
•Landowners/producers will follow research based recommendations which protect the environment, while optimizing production.
•Producers will analyze market situations and utilize marketing approaches which optimize pricing opportunities.
•Livestock producers will improve handling facilities and animal handing skills to facilitate improved safety for livestock and handlers.
•Landowners/producers will utilize soil/forage testing, diagnostic services, IPM principles and best management practices which make their operations more sustainable.
•Forest landowners will seek professional assistance when marketing timber and use BMP’s which protect natural resources.
•Youth will care for livestock using proper animal husbandry practices.
•Livestock producers will improve forage utilization management, reduce winter feed needs, and adopt technologies/BMP’s which optimize resources.
•Grain producers will adopt use of new technologies for crop production, which improve efficiency.
* Youth will explaing the role of agriculture in their daily life and will utilize and practice life skills in 4-H agricultural projects, clubs and life situations.
•Producers will improve awareness of land-grant research in grain crop production, grazing management, and forage/grain variety trials.
•Producers will expand adoption of new technologies which improve efficiency, safety, and profitability of enterprises.
•Woodland owners will understand timber marketing options and utilize professional assistance for marketing and timber stand improvement.
•Livestock producers will improve utilization of forages, forage harvest management, and feeding management to reduce losses.
•Youth will use learn proper livestock management thru livestock projects
•Producers will utilize information from Extension, KDA and USDA to analyze market opportunities
•Increase in sales and vendors at Farmer’s Market
* Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
*Youth and adults will gain and understanding of sustainable agriculture systems.
*Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, critical thinking, communication, record keeping, wise use of resources, and leader ship.
Evaluation:
Outcome: Landowners/producers utilize testing & diagnostic services, IPM principles and BMP to improve sustainability of agricultural enterprises
Indicator: Number of soil & diagnostic requests. Producers use of IPM & BMP’s
Method: Soil & diagnostics requests. Survey of producers on use of IPM & BMP’s
Timeline: Spring & Summer 2023
Evaluation:
Outcome: Increase in use of Farmer’s Market
Indicator: Vendor sales at Farmer’s Market
Method: Survey of receipts at Farmer’s Market
Timeline: Fall 2022 & Summer 2023
Evaluation:
Outcome: Increase in Youth Agricultural Projects and agricultural knowledge.
Indicator: Number of youth developing agricultural projects and strengthening partnerships with Cooperative Extension, 4-H and FFA programs.
Method: Survey of Youth Agriculture Incentives Program, 4-H Livestock Projects, 4-H Horticulture projects
Time Line: August 2022-July 2023
Audience: Ohio County Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Agricultural Incentives Program
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Department of Agriculture Program, 4-H Livestock/Horse curriculum and Extension Publications
Inputs: KDA, Ohio County 4-H, Ohio County FFA, YAIP Committee
Date: Summer – Winter 2022/Spring 2023
Audience: Pesticide users
Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator training
Content or Curriculum: Pesticide safety training curriculum
Inputs: ANR agent
Date: Jan-April 2023
Audience: Landowners/producers
Project or Activity: Ag Development Cost-Share Educational Program
Content or Curriculum: Enterprise management & economics
Inputs: Agent & specialist
Date: July 2022 - June 2023
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Beef/Forage Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Livestock management, herd health, forage utilization, weed control, etc.
Inputs: Agent, specialist, industry reps, NRCS, O.C. Cattlemen’s Assoc., farm suppliers
Date: Year-round 2022-23
Audience: Landowners & producers
Project or Activity: Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: field trials to demonstrate recommended practices and research
Inputs: agents, producers
Date: Year round 2022-23
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock/Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Livestock/horse project resources, skill-a-thon/judging, show ring
Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Year-round
Audience: Vegetable/fruit producers
Project or Activity: Good Agricultural Practices
Content or Curriculum: GAP curriculum
Inputs: Agent
Date: Winter/spring 2022-2023
Audience: Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: Raising Your Own Vegetables
Content or Curriculum: U.K. pubs & recommendations
Inputs: Agent, specialist
Date: Winter 2022-2023
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: BQCA Beef Quality Cattle Handling Assurance Certification
Content or Curriculum: KY BQA Certification curriculum
Inputs: Agent, BQA Manual, Videos
Date: Multiple times thru year 2022-23
Audience: 4th Grade Students in Ohio Co. Schools
Project or Activity: Youth Ag Days
Content or Curriculum: KY Agriculture
Inputs: Agents, program assistants, specialist, Ag leaders, Ohio Co. Schools
Date: September 2022
Audience: Woodland owners
Project or Activity: Forestry Webinar & Woodland Owners Programs
Content or Curriculum: Current woodland management topics
Inputs: Extension specialist, agent, industry experts
Date: Fall/winter 2022-2023
Audience: Master Loggers
Project or Activity: Master Logger Programs & Web TV
Content or Curriculum: Current woodland management topics
Inputs: Extension specialist, agent, industry experts
Date: Year round 2022 & 2023
Audience: Grain producers
Project or Activity: Grain Management/Marketing
Content or Curriculum: Grain production, marketing, new technologies, pest control & resistance
Inputs: Specialist, agent, industry personnel, NRCS, FSA, farm suppliers
Date: Winter 2022-2023
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Beef Management Mtg
Content or Curriculum: Beef management & marketing
Inputs: Area agents, industry personnel, specialist
Date: Winter 2022/23
Audience: Forage producers
Project or Activity: Pasture Walk
Content or Curriculum: Weed ID, Weed Control, Pasture/Hayfield management
Inputs: Agent & Specialist
Date: Fall 2022 & Spring 2023
Author: Gregory Comer
Major Program: Beef
The problemFeeding beef cows is a major cost to producers, usually 50-70% of maintaining the animals. Utilizing efficient hay feeding systems can reduce the amount of time a producer spends making hay bales available to animals. The educational program responseTo address this issue, the Ohio Co. Extension Service coordinated with Dr. Steve Higgins, U.K. Ag Engineering, who has developed more efficient hay feeding systems at the Eden Shale Farm. Dr. Higgins visited Ohio Co. to discuss
