Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture Production and Marketing
Improving Agriculture Sustainability
David Coffey, Hunter Carroll
Beef
Agriculture
Local Food Systems
Equine
Jackson County's agriculture industry continues to transition from a tobacco-dependent county. Tobacco has become one small fraction of the total farm income. This has led to a need for producers to consider other farm enterprises if the farm family economy is going to be sustained. Funding through the Phase I portion of the Tobacco Settlement has made an impact in helping producers transition into various farm enterprises. The Jackson County AG Development Council continues to provide funding opportunities that will be available to all farmers and farm families. Along with funding, educating producers in these new areas of production and marketing is essential for success.
Producers make creative use of all farm resources to maximize land use for agriculture production. There will be an expansion of agriculture production opportunities into new areas. Producers develop production and marketing skills for new farm enterprises.
Producers practice basic management techniques and learn to incorporate new ones. Producers make transition from tobacco into other agriculture enterprises. Grow quality produce and market locally and regionally as efforts are made to link local producers with local consumers.
Producers learn about innovative production practices and develop responsible and sustainable attitudes in agriculture enterprises Producers will become aware of new marketing opportunities for farm products.
Initial Outcome: Youth learn about all aspects of livestock
Indicator: Knowledge of livestock
Method: 4-H Livestock Club
Timeline: Spring
Intermediate Outcome: Youth learn how to sell livestock to consumers
Indicator: Number of animals sold
Method: Livestock record keeping
Timeline: Fall/Spring
Initial Outcome: Youth learn about different types of soil and drainage needed for specific crops.
Indicator: State 4-H Land Judging Contest Results
Method: Site Test
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Long-Term Outcome: Youth become highly knowledgeable in the adaptation of different soils.
Indicator: National 4-H Land Judging Contest
Method: Site Test
Timeline: Summer/Fall
Long-Term Outcome: Supplemental crop acreages and income opportunities will be available for local producers
Indicator: Increases in crops grown for newly-developed local markets will be noted.
Method: Crop acreage and number of producers participating will be increased.
Timeline: An annual assessment of each crop program will be made.
Audience: 4-H age youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Club kit materials
Inputs: 4-H Agent and Leaders
Date: Fall/Spring
Audience: High School youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Land Judging Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Land Judging Publication
Resources: Ky 4-H Foundation, and Jackson County FFA program/volunteers.
Inputs: 4-H Leader and Agent
Date: Summer/Fall
Audience: Producers of farm products, tobacco-dependent farmers, 4H’ers
Project or Activity: Continue to conduct all Phase I projects and expand existing activities with local Phase I Committee
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and AG Development Committee
Date: Monthly and as-needed basis
Project or Activity: Education Programs for utilizing new Multi-Purpose AG Facility
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and 3AJC
Date: Throughout the Year
Project or Activity: Winter meetings with area crop producers
Content or Curriculum: WTA ANR Agents and UK Specialists
Date: February
Project or Activity: On-farm Demonstrations with E KY Beef IRM Program and various crops
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and UK Specialists
Date: Throughout the Year
Project or Activity: Expand Producers Base for Farmers’ Market
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Extension staff
Date: Spring and Summer
Project or Activity: Jackson County Cattleman's Association
Content or Curriculum: Educational Meetings about grazing, reproduction, nutrition, and farm management ANR Publications from UK
Inputs: ANR Agent and Extension staff
Date: Spring and Summer
Project or Activity: Educational Programs
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association implementing programs that benefit all beef producers
Date: Quarterly Meetings
Project or Activity: Plant Distribution Program
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent
Date: Spring
Project or Activity: Conduct Grafting Workshop and Rootstock Distribution
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent
Date: March
Project or Activity: Promote Beekeeping and bee educational programs
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Dark Honey Producers
Date: Monthly Meetings FEB-OCT and a Spring Meeting
Audience: 4-H Age Youth and adults
Project or Activity: Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Project
Inputs: 4-H Agent/Ag Agent
Date: Fall/Winter
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Over the summer of 2022, the ANR and 4-H agents brainstormed, thinking of what would bring in more people to the farmers' market; after much discussion, the agents concluded that one way to attempt to increase numbers at the farmers market is to bring in a different local food truck each week. Jackson County has an outstanding variety of local food trucks to offer the county, including BBQ, Country style, pizza, and traditional food trucks. The agents scheduled a different food truck for eac
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In cooperation with the Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, the KADF, and the Jackson County Agriculture agent, Jackson County was approved for $524,000 to use for the County Agriculture Investment Program for the 2022-2023 program year. There were 121 producers approved to receive a $4300.00 each cost share on a 75/25 basis for eligible items. Producers can use this money for 12 eligible investment areas to improve their operations. These areas are:Ag DiversificationAgTech & Leade
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Agriculture
For the 22-23 school year, the Jackson county agriculture agent has worked with the Jackson County Highschool Agriculture teacher and the Jackson County 4-H agent to do a educating ag students series. This series included artificial insemination, fruit tree grafting, BQCA, and Speech workshop and practice. thirty seven high school ag students were taught artificial insemination and learned to pass a breeding rod through a bovine reproductive tract, 28 students were taught to graft fruit trees an
Author: Hunter Carroll
Major Program: Agriculture
For the 22-23 school year, the Jackson county agriculture agent has worked with the Jackson County High school Agriculture teacher and the Jackson County 4-H agent to do an educating ag students series. This series included artificial insemination, fruit tree grafting, BQCA, and Speech workshop and practice. thirty seven high school ag students were taught artificial insemination and learned to pass a breeding rod through a bovine reproductive tract, 28 students were taught to graft fruit trees
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Beef
The Jackson County agriculture agent worked closely with the Jackson County Cattlemens and Extension specialists to deliver a beef series to Jackson County Producers. The series had 6 parts. The first part was from Dr. Higgins about the importance of water and being efficient while farming, the second part was done by ANR agent David Coffey on Fertilizer and soil testing, the third part was done by Dr. Henning about timely forage tips. The 4th part was done by David Coffey on Seed Tags and Seedi
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Jackson County is one of the poorest counties in Kentucky and even the nation. Having access to nutritious food is limited in this county. Jackson county Agents worked with producers to keep the farmers market running for 2023. This year, the SNFP program has allowed for over $17,000 to be given to 350 low income seniors in order for them to be able to purchase fresh and healthy food from the farmers market. This also provides over $17,000 to local farmers that are selling produce at the farmers
