Extension
It Starts With Us
Producing & Marketing Agricultural Products
Sustaining the Profitability of Agriculture
Jason Vaughn, Kendyl Redding, Emilee Hager
Beef
Substance Use and Mental Health - ANR
Forages
Agriculture & Natural Resources
The agricultural landscape of the county has dramatically changed in the past ten years and continues to do so. Tobacco was once the largest cash crop for farmers but now has transitioned to livestock (beef cattle), grains and garden produce. Livestock revenues continue to increase as many beef cattle producers increase herd size and rely on the expansion of their beef cattle enterprise to replace tobacco income. There continues to be a demand from consumers for local produce. Sales from Kentucky food products are expected to increase from $14 million (2014) to $24 million in 2020. Extension has resources to educate producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning and marketing strategies to expand the local food system.
Farmers and youth will continue to learn about new crop and livestock production and marketing opportunities which will enable them to sustain and manage their rural farms.
Farmers will benefit economically by applying best practices in livestock, diversification, crop production and/or marketing recommended by extension.
Powell County farms will sustain economic and environmental challenges
Farmers Market vendors increase with amore diverse selection and quantity of produce.
Farmers and youth apply recommendations to market crops and livestock, including special sales and market opportunities.
Beef cattle producers will utilize new and improved production methods such as rotational grazing, improved forage varieties and higher quality feed for their animals.
Farmers discover production practices to improve forage (i.e. cover crops, soil testing, forage testing, pasture management)
Farmers discuss livestock health, genetics, and reproduction.
Farmers discover new produce and/or crop varieties to diversify farm operation.
Farmers identify farm management practices that can benefit their operation.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Are farmers utilizing new crops, methods and markets? Has income increased?
Method: Surveys, questionnaires, general observation
Timeline: Year long
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Has Farmer's Market and beef producer members increased usage and sales of products.
Method: Data to be collected by surveys.
Timeline: Surveys at the end of growing season and year long.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: The new knowledge that is being obtained to produce and market new crops and livestock.
Method: Surveys used at Farmer's Market, Livestock Association and 4-H livestock club meetings regarding new or improved crop and livestock production.
Timeline: Year long
Audience: Farmers, Farm Families, General Public
Project or Activity: Farmer's Market Association Customer Appreciation Days and Product Demonstration Days
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Proud, GAP, HB391, WIC, Senior Coupons
Inputs: Extension Staff, KDA Representatives, Local Businesses
Date: Year long
Audience: County/Area Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Livestock Producers Association Meetings and Activities
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists, Local Ag Leaders, Master Cattlemen, KCA, Master Grazer Program, KDA, Advanced Master Cattlemen
Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension Agents, Local Ag Leaders
Date: Year long
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Beekeepers Educational Meetings
Content or Curriculum: KDA, Kentucky Beekeepers Association
Inputs: KSU and UK Specialists, KDA Beekeepers, Local Beekeepers
Date: Year long
Audience: Farmers, Farm Owners, Youth, Farm Families, General Public
Project or Activity: Farmer-Banker Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Forages, Grain Production, Beef Production, Phase I announcements
Inputs: Whitaker Bank, UK Specialists, Extension Agents, Soil Conservation, Volunteers
Date: Fall Annually
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Down on the Farm Day, Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: KDA, Farm Statistics, SNAP-ED, Progressive Ag Foundation, 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Powell County FFA, School District, Lions Club, Extension Agents, Volunteers
Date: Spring and Fall Annually
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree
Inputs: Extension Agent, School District, Science & Ecology Club Volunteers, East KY Power, and Clark Energy
Date: Fall Annually
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: KDA show rules/regulations, 4-H Ag Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, KDA
Date: Year Round
Author: Jason Vaughn
Major Program: Beekeeping
The Varroa mite has spread to and become a major pest of honey bees since their introduction in the mid-1980s. They were first reported in the Bluegrass Region of the Commonwealth in 1991 and now occur throughout the state. The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service estimates losses due to mite infestation exceed $1 billion a year. Research recommends an integrated pest management approach control that relies on various tools. Vaporized sprays of oxal
Author: Jason Vaughn
Major Program: Forages
Understanding a producer’s forage quality is the backbone of providing a balanced nutrition plan. Hay testing can provide data that producers and Cooperative Extension Agents use to ensure the nutritional needs of the animal are being met. Without a test, farmers are blindly feeding leading to wasted resources. The Central Kentucky Hay Contest was created to generate friendly competition among producers and educate producers about forage test analysis and the economic imp
