Marketing & ProfitabilityPlan of Work

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Harrison County CES

Title:
Marketing & Profitability
MAP:
Sustainable Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Jessica Barnes, Jessica Wells, Shannon Farrell, Shelley Meyer
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
Situation:

Agriculture is in a transitional phase and burley tobacco production has continued to diminish in Harrison County with Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco production increasing over the past few years. However, agriculture production and agri-business remain to be a viable economic opportunity for those who choose to be involved. Therefore, new options and opportunities need to be developed. Proper production practices are important. The need to adopt new and improved methods becomes essential.


Ag Development funds have provided more marketing opportunities in the county. Agri-business opportunities are being developed such as vegetables, new technology, and proper production practices. The farms in Harrison County are small with limited income. Farmers and spouses are now working in off-farm jobs for family income and benefits. Farmers are aging so the need for additional labor is essential.

Long-Term Outcomes:

- Much of the good production land will be converted to corn, soybeans, hay production, solar panels and horticulture crops.

- A renewed interest in beef cattle has been created by the high demand for production of our cow/calf herds.

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Producers and families will find ways to develop new and better products.

- Ideas will be stimulated on ways to market products more efficiently and utilize new technology.

- Apply for and use Ag Development funds.

Initial Outcomes:

- Individuals will attend demonstrations and meetings.

- Individuals will begin implementing new technology practices.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Number of people adopting new and improved techniques.

Indicator: Returning and new participants, new endeavors started

Method: Observation, personal visits, income increased, verbal comments, increased participation

Timeline: All year


Intermediate Outcome: Number of people selling new products and number adapting to change

Indicator: Returning new participants, new endeavors started. Growth in CPH sales and Farmer's Market participation. Increase of youth livestock participants

Method: Income realized, verbal comments, observation, personal visits, and increased participation.

Timeline: All year


Long-term Outcome: Number of participants in production agriculture has stayed the same or increased, with a greater diversity of production types.

Indicator: Returning and new participants, new endeavors started

Method: Observation, personal visits, increased participation in educational opportunities available

Timeline: All year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Local Farmers

Project or Activity: Ag Development Funds

Content or Curriculum: Replication of programs for all producers

Inputs: Ag Development Funds for CAIP and YAIP

Date: All Year


Audience: Community members, producers

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market

Content or Curriculum: Merchandising Skills Development, New Sales Facility Improved, Recruiting New Members.

Inputs: Farmer's Market Members

Date: May through October


Audience: Local farmers, community members

Project or Activity: Transitioning crops to grain program

Content or Curriculum: Developing new crops, marketing and added income

Inputs: Local Farmers

Date: All Year


Audience: Local farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Economic Update

Content or Curriculum: Develop marketing strategies

Inputs: University of Kentucky Ag Econ staff

Date: Winter


Audience: Local farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Equipment Rental

Content or Curriculum: Use of improved equipment: 3 livestock headgates, chute and electronic scales, 2 Great Plains and 4 Haybuster No-Till seeders, 2 Vegetable Plastic Layers, Water Wheel Setter and Plastic Lifter, 4 sets of Livestock Panels, and 2 pull type boomless sprayers, lime spreader, 2 chain drags, and Brillion seeder.

Inputs: Harrison County Beef Cattle Association

Date: All Year


Audience: Local farmers and producers

Project or Activity: Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and training to help farmers gain knowledge.

Inputs: University of Kentucky Extension Specialists, volunteers, Harrison County Beef Cattle Association, soil conservation, HC Farm Bureau, FSA

Date: Fall


Audience: Community, producers

Project or Activity: Transition crops (vegetable, flowers, horticulture crops)

Content or Curriculum: Demonstration for adoption of new crops

Inputs: UK Specialists, Extension Agents, Farmer's Market Members

Date: All Year


Audience: Local farmers, producers, contractors, and homeowners

Project or Activity: Soil Tests

Content or Curriculum: Prepare testing, proper nutrient needs and saving money by proper application.

Inputs: paid staff, UK regulatory services

Date: All Year


Audience: Tobacco Farmers

Project or Activity: Tobacco Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Update new techniques and chemicals

Inputs: Extension Specialists and Agents

Date: Jan to March


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Judging Groups; Livestock, Land, and Livestock Skillathon Teams

Content or Curriculum: Marketing, production, public speaking and communications, selection and decision making, livestock certification kit, local producers and services, 4-H animal science curriculum.

Inputs: 4-H volunteers, agents

Date: All Year


Audience: 4-H members, community members

Project or Activity: Country Ham Project

Content or Curriculum: Production, food preservation, marketing, communication, livestock certification kit, UK Extension Specialists

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, paid staff

Date: January to August


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: Education, promotion, marketing, production, economics, Livestock certification kit, local businesses / producers, UK Specialist resources

Inputs: UK Specialists, volunteers, 4-H Agent

Date: All Year


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: Education, promotion, marketing, production, economics, Horse certification kit, local businesses / producers, UK Specialist resources

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, 4-H Agent

Date: All Year


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Livestock Shows

Content or Curriculum: Selection, ethics, production, marketing, livestock certification kit, competitions, judging/selection, showing professionals

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, volunteers, KDA, Harrison County Fairboard

Date: All Year


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Farm Inc.

Content or Curriculum: Youth participate in a multi-county, hands-on reality simulation where they learn about financial planning, income, expenses, and budgets.

Inputs: Agents and members from ag industry from Harrison and neighboring counties, FFA Advisors

Date: Fall




Success Stories

Homesteading Series 2024

Author: Jessica Hopkins

Major Program: Local Food System Development and Mapping

Homesteading Series 2024

The problemOver the last few years, the Harrison County Extension ANR, Horticulture, and FCS Agents have noticed an increase in individuals with an interest in homesteading.  The agents are more frequently receiving phone calls and questions related to how to grow and process their own food.  Due to this, the agents decided to offer a Homesteading Series in 2023.  The series was very successful and there were suggestions to continue it, so the series was offered again in 2024, wit

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Master Cattleman's Program

Author: Jessica Barnes

Major Program: Beef

Harrison County has a large number of cattle producers with more and more young and/ or new producers coming on board. This is due in part to a lot of our larger farms selling into smaller farms as well as many new faces moving into our county from other states. Several of them have never had cattle before or are wanting to expand their current operations by adding cattle. With this surge in newer producers, we thought offering the Master Cattleman program would be very beneficial to our produce

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