Extension
It Starts With Us
Supporting Local Agriculture
Agriculture
McCarty, Walton
Beef
Forages
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Agriculture
The majority of Menifee County agriculture is produced on small farms. Over the last few years, the Menifee County Extension Office has contributed to improving access to local, healthy food by training and certification of farmers, gardeners, beef producers 4-Her, Homemakers, and food entrepreneurs. Food production can begin with washing produce, home baking, home canning, vaccinating livestock, and producing quality forages. Consumers are at least 2 -3 generations removed from the farm. Educating consumer and todays youth on were the food comes from is very important.
Attendees will increase the availability of fresh fruits vegetables, and meat to the community.
Use Extension resources to make decisions related to food production and food safety as well as obtaining certifications to sell direct to consumer and value-added products.
Attendees will increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in beef production, forage practices, chemical usage, and marketing.
Outcome: Increased items at the farmers market.
Method: Visual.
Timeline: Summer 2022.
Outcome: Increased Ag Sales.
Indicator: USDA Statistics.
Method: Research.
Timeline: Fall 2022.
Outcome: Increased Ag knowledge.
Indicator: Survey Questions.
Method: Survey.
Timeline: Fall 2022.
Outcome: Increase Youth Knowledge in Agriculture.
Indicator: Survey Questions.
Method: Formal and Informal Survey.
Timeline: Spring 2023.
Audience: YAK Farmer, Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Hay Research, Semen Extender Research
Content or Curriculum: Weight Gain on different hays
Inputs: Agent, Farmer, and UK Specialist
Date :Fall Winter 2022-2023
Project or Activity: Beef Producer Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Hay Quality, Marketing
Inputs: UK Specialist
Date: Quarterly Meetings
Audience: Farmers Market/Horticulture
Project or Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: SRFMNP, WIC/Marketing
Inputs: UK Crop Diversification, CFA
Date: Spring & Summer 2022-2023
Project or Activity: Youth Garden
Content or Curriculum: Youth Master Gardner Manual
Inputs: Agents Teacher
Date: Fall 2023 spring
Audience: 4-H
Project or Activity: Country Hams
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Kit
Inputs: Agents
Date: Winter 2023
Project or Activity: Ag Awarness Day
Content or Curriculum: Progressive AG
Inputs: Teachers and Volunteers
Date: Spring 2023
Author: Mary McCarty
Major Program: Forages
Menifee County has been home to Yaks for 8 plus years. Limited research has been conducted on the species in North America’s. The Menifee County Extension Programs started doing research at Zhi-ba Shing-ga Yak Farm in Wellington, KY in 2019 with a Yak Garden. In winter of 2021, a new research study began with the help of Dr. Jeff Lemkuhler. The objective of this on-farm research was to evaluate the effect of hay type on growth rate of growing yaks. Forages evaluated
Author: Mary McCarty
Major Program: Beef
According to a 2018 KVMA article the resistance of internal parasites to chemical products to control the parasites in the Beef Herd may be on the rise. There has not been much change in the 3 classes of products that Beef Herds have to help with the control of internal parasites. Also, in that same time there hasn’t been a study to see how these products are currently working inside the Beef animal. In the spring of 2023 MERCK Ani
