Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture, Livestock, Forages, Agriculture
Agriculture Advancement
Madalyn Hale, Levi Berg, Shonda Johnston, Carrie Spry, Aubrey Lawson
Beef
Horticulture, Commercial
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for largest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. Sales of agriculture crops and livestock in Clark County exceed $34 million. There are 871 farms in Clark County with farm size averaging 164 acres. Horticulture crops, Agri-tourism, beekeeping, and custom hay production are growing farming industries in the county. With recent legislative developments industrial hemp production is emerging as a crop of importance. In addition to the educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of traditional Clark County agricultural production (corn, soybeans, livestock, and forages), leaders in the agricultural community have identified educational needs related to the production, support, and marketing of industrial hemp and other new opportunistic crops.
Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops
Increase in revenues for farm families
Increase number of new younger farmers into the agriculture industry.
Greater diversification of farming operations..
Individuals will engage in entreprenuerial enterprises.
Individuals will gain and maintain employment thru lifeskill development.
Individuals will be advecates for agriculture, healthy and sustainable food systems.
Investment in the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques
Adoption of best mangement production practices
Individuals will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Individuals can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Individuals can practice entrepreneurial skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities.
Gained knowlege of agricultural production
Gained knowlege of the most up to date production practices
Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Individuals will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
Initial Outcome: Individuals will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the aras of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Indicator: Increased knowledge and continued practice of agriculture production.
Method: Post Survey of Program/Project
Timeline: Completion of project/program
Initial Outcome: Youth will use and apply the skills gained from Livestock programs, demonstrate and share new abilities related to livestock with others, and practice the principals of livestock production
Indicator: Continued involvement in the livestock program
Method: Post Survey of Program
Timeline: Annually
Initial Outcome: Produers will learn about new and emerging crop production opportunities
Indicator: Program Particpation/Supporting Survey Response
Method: Post Survey
Timeline: Each event
Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowlege of up to date production practices
Indicator: Program Participation/Supporting Survey Response
Method: Post Survey
Timeline: Each Event
Intermediate Outcome: Producer Investment into the the production of non-traditional crops or production techniques
Indicator: Dollars Invested
Method: NASS, CAIP Producer Reports, Agricultural Statistics
Timeline: Annually, Biannually, 10 yrs
Intermediate Outcome: Adoption of best management production practices
Indicator: Changed Production Practices
Method: Survey
Timeline: Annually
Long-term Outcome: Establishment of new markets for agricultural crops
Indicator: Agricultural Business creation/expansion, Increased farm income
Method: Census of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Survey
Timeline: Once every 10 years, Annually
Audience: 5-18 yr old youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content, local tours
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Age Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Industry Leaders
Date: Monthly
Audience: 3rd Grade
Project or Activity: 4-H Chick Incubation
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, School Staff, UK poultry unit
Date: Spring
Audience: 4-H Age Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Content
Inputs: 4-H Extension Staff, 4-H Volunteers, Extension Facilities
Date: January - August
Audience: 3rd Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Day
Content or Curriculum: Industry Speakers, Ag Literacy Education Materials, 4-H Core Content
Inputs: Extension Staff, Industry Speakers, Gilkison Farm
Date: Spring
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen/Master Marketer/Cattleman's Quarterly meetings
Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen Curriculum, Extension Publications
Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension staff, Agricultural Leaders, Community Sponsors
Date: Spring/Fall/Winter
Audience: Clark County Residents
Project or Activity: Winter School
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture Updates
Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Publications, Extension Staff, Clark Ag Advisory Council, Community Sponsors
Date: January/February
Audience: Clark County Residents
Project or Activity: Gardening Classes
Content or Curriculum: Gardening Topics
Inputs: UK Publications, Extension Staff, Master Gardener Volunteers, Community Partners
Date: Spring/Summer
Audience: Farmers/Farm Families
Project or Activity: Clark County Extension Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resource Demonstrations
Inputs: Producer Volunteer(s), UK Specialists, Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Extension Staff,
Date: Summer
Audience: Farmers/Farm Families
Project or Activity: Production Update Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Ongoing agricultural issues/updates
Inputs: Clark County Ag Advisory Council, Collaborative Agricultural Groups (Clark County Cattlemen, C.C. Farm Bureau, etc.), UK Specialists, Extension Staff, other Agri-businesses and agricultural professionals
Date: As needed
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Beekeepers Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping
Inputs: UK Specialist, KY State Apiarist, Specialists, Ag leaders
Date: Third Monday of each Month
Audience: Landowners and Outdoor Enthusiast
Project or Activity: Wildlife Program
Content or Curriculum: Wildlife Management
Inputs: ANR Extension Agent, UK Specialist, Ky Dept of Fish and Wildlife
Date: Fall/Winter
Author: Carrie Spry
Major Program: Pollinators
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: Levi Berg
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agriculture/forestry/fishing (AFF) industries experience the highest rates of work-related fatalities in the United States--24.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers per year (USDOL-CFOI, 2014), as well as high rates of nonfatal injuries--15.5 per 100,000 workers per year (BLS, 2014). With this information, the Clark County Agents wanted to place agriculture safety as an educational priority. The Clark County Agents were approached by a loc
Author: Levi Berg
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities report completed by Purdue University, there were no fewer than 42 grain related entrapments in 2022 representing a 44.8% increase over 2021. This was the highest number of grain entrapments in over a decade. With the knowledge of potential injuries caused by grain bins and the increased number of grain bins in Clark County, two agricultural producers approached the Clark County Extension Office wit
Author: Carrie Spry
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Many citizens in Clark County love adding fresh cut flowers to their home during the summer season. Often times these flowers can be found at the local farmers market, or even handed to them from a neighbor. Sometimes that come already arranged in a bouqet, other times they are individual and need to be arranged. Some people want the cut flowers, but can't make it to the market to purchase them or even can't afford them. A few citizens even expressed the desire to learn how to grow cut f
Author: Carrie Spry
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
The ANR agent and Horticulture agent worked together for the 2024 Winter School series. Clark Extension hosted 3 full nights of education for the public. Topics included biting insects around the home, bats in the backyard, reading EPD's, fertilizer needs for pastures, the benefits of storing hay, pond construction, and farm planning and layout for water and feed areas. More than 80 people attended each night for a combined total attendance of over 260 people. the local farm bureau group, ca
Author: Levi Berg
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 Clark County Extension Office offered two ways for producers to understand their forage quality; free forage testing year-round and the Central KY Hay Testing.&
Author: Madalyn Hale
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Clark County 4-H has historically had a Livestock Skillathon team, but the past several years it has not been active. In 2023 leaders and youth revived the program and worked hard to study and practice in order to participate in the 2024 Skillathon Contest in February. Clark County was represented by a junior team, a senior team, and one female novice participant. The senior team consisted of two female and one male youth, the junior team consisted of three male youth. At the contest our senior
Author: Levi Berg
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
According to the 2017 Ag Census, Clark County have over 800 farms and around $34,028,000 in agricultural sales with livestock sales equaling 55% of total sales. Also Clark county has 14,576 households according to the 2019 census. With this knowledge, the Clark County Extension Office worked to hold the 2024 Winter School. The purpose of the 2024 Winter School was to hold a three day series covering bull selection, hay storage, pasture fertilization, pond construction, feed and water structures,
