Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing Farm Profitability- NEW
Sustainable Farms and Home Landscapes
Adkins, Wilson, Spurgeon
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
Pulaski County has a strong commercial horticulture industry. We have several green industry businesses as well as a very healthy number commercial growers of fruits, vegetables and processed products.
Beef and hay are two major agricultural products for Pulaski County. Pulaski County ranks 2nd in the state for both.
One farmers' market serves the consumers of this area. Pulaski Co is also very near two produce auctions.
Emerging issues pop up in any industry and agriculture and horticulture are no different. Profitability is maximized when crops are produced successfully and marketed equally successfully.
Marketing is key. Produce growers do not make a dime growing a product, only selling it. More markets need to be explored, especially with kids and our school systems.
Th Pulaski County livestock industry is heavily concentrated by cattle and calve operations which generates 85% of all animals sales while crop production is dominated by soybean at 33% and corn at 34% of all crops sales (CEDIK, 2015). To support these commodity groups attention to, livestock, forage, and grain systems is important to ensure ideal outcomes for producers.
In addition to production agricultural, focus on small business management is critical for the success of farmers. According to the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (2008) it is projected that by 2028 70% of all U.S. farmland will change hands. Of further concern, according to the the USDA Census of Agriculture for decades the average age of farmers has steadily increased and the 2012 census indicated that 57.6 is the average age of principle farm operators in Kentucky. It is crucial for farms and small family businesses to be exposed to succession planning in order to prevent loss of businesses and farming operations within Pulaski County.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Improved sustainability of forage-based livestock systems.
- Use of better varieties of forage crops.
- Maximize profits for grain producers.
- Improved genetic quality and end product for enhanced consumer confidence in the industry.
- Assess family/financial situation, determine tools available for management, potential income, and transferring assets.
- Growers will gain income and markets from produce crops, processed goods, and other tangential products.
- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Growers will employ IPM practices to successfully grow crops.
- Growers will gain markets in wholesale and/or retail produce.
- The general public will buy more from local growers at farmers markets and roadside stands.
- Schools will buy produce from local growers.
- Develop a grazing plan for each operation.
- Implement on farm trials of grain crops.
- Improvement of weed management.
- Use proper handling techniques for livestock.
- Gain awareness of resources for farm succession planning.
- 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 will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
- Growers will learn about emerging issues as it relates to what they grow.
- Growers will learn about markets available and how to get into those markets.
- Consumers will learn about local foods & their availability.
- Gain awareness of forage variety trial information.
- Recognize need for succession planning
- Identify herbicide resistant pests in grain crops.
Initial Outcome: 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.
Indicator: speeches, showing of animals
Method: evaluation, surveys, common measures
Timeline: year round
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will be able to explain the role agriculture in daily life and will be to use skills learned towards agriculture projects
Indicator: projects completed, show of understanding during lessons
Method: Common measures survey, observation
Timeline: year round, school year (Sept- May)
Long-term Outcome: Youth will advocate for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production, will make well informed decisions regarding agriculture and will overall become more literate in agriculture
Indicator: increased involvement in local Ag community (4-H clubs, etc)
Method: observation, common measures survey
Timeline: year round
Audience: youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham project
Content or Curriculum: Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video
Inputs: agents, volunteers, specialists, bluegrass stockyards, UK meats lab
Date: spring-summer-fall (MLK Day-State Fair- Show & Sale)
Audience:4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Beef, sheep, goat, swine, poultry 4-H resources
Inputs: livestock volunteers, UK specialists, local ag businesses (KNS, Ard Ridge Cattle Company, etc.)
Date: spring-fall
Audience: Youth- in schools
Project or Activity: various lessons in Ag
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adeventure, KY Ag in the Classroom,
Inputs: agent, teachers
Date: September- May (school year)
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Pulaski County Cattleman's Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Summer, Fall, Spring
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: BQA Trainings
Content or Curriculum: BQA Materials
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Summer, Fall, Spring
Audience: All Producers, Small Family Businesses
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: Farm Credit, Industry Professionals
Date: Winter
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: CAIP Training
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Fall
Audience: Commercial growers
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training, Home-based Microprocessor Trainings
Content or Curriculum: GAP curriculum and 3rd party audits
Inputs: KDA specialists, powerpoints
Date: winter 2023-24
Audience: Commercial growers
Project or Activity: Farmers' markets meetings, Senior Farmers Market nutrition program training
Content or Curriculum: updates from KDA personnel
Inputs: KDA specialists, powerpoints
Date: mainly winter but throughout the year
Audience: Consumers
Project or Activity: info booth at farmers' markets
Content or Curriculum: UK publications & recipes
Inputs: Plate It Up Recipe cards, food
Date: during farmers' market season
Audience: Consumers
Project or Activity: Local foods program
Content or Curriculum: UK publications & recipes
Inputs: Lexington Local Food coordinator or other local food specialist
Date: Prior to growing season
Author: Erica Spurgeon
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Pulaski County 4-H introduced a new club to the county in October of 2022. Tractor and Small Engine Club started as a partnership between a local sponsor, Valley Farm Equipment, and our county 4-H program. Valley Farm Equipment has always been willing to lend a hand to sponsor programs or to teach lawn mower and tractor safety during Safety Day events. An employee of Valley Farm Equipment, who is also a 4-H parent, stepped up to volunteer as the club leader. The goal for this club is to prepare
Author: Erica Spurgeon
Major Program: Small Farm Management
The Living on a Few Acres Farm Conference brought together 52 participants from five different counties across Kentucky, fostering an exchange of knowledge and ideas on sustainable farming practices. UK Cooperative Extension Agents from Pulaski, McCreary, Russell, and Casey counties organized and led a series of classes that delved into various aspects of small-scale agriculture, including soils management, beekeeping, vegetable gardening, poultry, rabbits for meat production, small ruminant car
Author: Erica Spurgeon
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The 2023 City to Farm Tour was held on September 19th, 2023 with well over 70 local business leaders and Pulaski County Chamber members in attendance. Extension has partnered with the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce to plan the bi-annual event now for the past 12 years. The event is to help educate our community about the changes that have occurred in agriculture over the past decade. This behind-the-scenes look at local agriculture granted community leaders the opportunity to meet t
