Extension
It Starts With Us
New Agriculture Opportunities
Diversified Agriculture Opportunities
Shelby Cleaver & Ashley Vice
Local Food Systems
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Nicholas County has traditionally been one of the most tobacco-dependent counties in the state, both through history and total county revenue. There is a critical need to find crops/resources to fill this growing void. The diversification of the agriculture community is the only viable way to resolve this issue. Farmers must realize the need to add additional crops to diversify their operations and to keep a consistent flow of income to their operation and to the county.
Create diversified commodities that are sustainable in Nicholas County with markets for them.
Increased acreage of nontraditional crops
Growth in local farmers market with increased customer base
Utilize nontraditional marketing options in the county
Producers investigate marketing options available to them
Increase in microprocessing certificates and farmers market producers
Initial Outcome: Increase in microprocessor certificates
Indicator: Rise in number of microprocessors
Method: Number of participants and graduates
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Increased acreage in nontraditional crops
Indicator: Growth in new/nontraditional crops in the county
Method: Census data/farm visits
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Niche Market Producers
Indicator: Presence of KY Proud Producers in the county
Method: Marketing and presence on KDA website
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Nicholas County Residents
Project or Activity: Agriculture Diversification Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Specific diverse crop information
Inputs: UK specialists, collaboration of agents and local organizations (Cattlemen's Association, Chamber of Commerce, Community Economic Development)
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Nicholas County Producers
Project or Activity: Farm Visits
Content or Curriculum: Publications
Inputs: Publications, specialists, diagnostic testing
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Nicholas County Producers
Project or Activity: Soil samples
Content or Curriculum: Publications
Inputs: Publications, specialists, diagnostic testing
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Nicholas County Residents
Project or Activity: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up! Recipes
Inputs: Newsletters, recipe cards
Date: 2021 - 2024
Author: Shelby Cleaver
Major Program: Beef
Starting the beginning of March 2024 Nicholas County, Harrison County and Bourbon County held a Master Cattlemen program. These sessions covered a wide variety of information and knowledge to be passed down to the local and surrounding producers. Each county held 2 sessions each with 6 sessions in total lasting 3hours so that each participant would become a “Certified Master Cattlemen.” During these session participants learned about reproduction/record keeping, marketing/profitabili
Author: Shelby Cleaver
Major Program: Forages
On Thursday June 27th 2024 I held a farm field day for the first time in many years for Nicholas County. Myself, Dr. Smith and Dr. Coleman worked with a local hay producer on having a field day at their farm for "Producing hay for horse markets: Quality hay takes effort." JP Judge hosted this event at his farm where we had demos set up to show those that attended how they harvest their hay and put up the hay that they raise and sale to local horse farms and other producers. JP also had
