Extension
It Starts With Us
Production Agriculture
Advancing Sustainable Crop Production Systems Big and Small
Shane Bogle, Rhonda Jewell, Ashley Board
Grains
Horticulture, Commercial
Tobacco
Agriculture
Change is a constant in everything but it especially rings true for production agriculture. The last couple of years have seen a grain production profits reduced. As commodity prices have lowered sharply in the last few years even producers that were prepared and have felt the crunch. Lease rates are still slow to follow this downward trend as landowners have grown accustomed to being paid more for their ground. Specialty crops such as hemp and hort crops are a more common sight. Many tobacco producers that have transitioned away from tobacco are still looking for ways to replace that income. A flurry of high tunnel greenhouses have started in Caldwell County helping with this and participation in the Caldwell On-line and traditional farmers market. Phase I and USDA state cost shares have helped this along.
*Producers will improve quality of life by increasing revenue in production agriculture.
*Producers will implement environmentally safe practices for pesticide and fertilizer applications.
*Producers will utilize rinse and return programs to improve the environment.
*Producers will gain a better understanding of grain marketing and futures contracts.
*Producers will explore new crop opportunities.
*Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
*Build a new permanent farmers market.
*Producers will implement policy changes learned at educational meetings.
*Producers will understand the opportunity to produce alternate crops.
*Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources.
*Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
*Producers will utilize up-to-date decision making information concerning the field of production agriculture
*Producers will utilize the tools to make important production decisions concerning economics and safe agronomic practices and adoption of new crop enterprises.
*Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
*Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies.
Initial Outcome: Producers will utilize up-to-date decision making information concerning the field of production agriculture.
Indicator: number of producers reporting using up-to-date decision making information
Method: observation, farm visits, success stories
Timeline: ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will implement policy changes learned at educational meetings
Indicator: number of policy changes implemented by producers
Method: observation, farm visits, success stories
Timeline: ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Producers will improve quality of life by increasing revenue in production agriculture
Indicator: number of producers reporting increased revenue
Method: observation, farm visits, success stories
Timeline: ongoing
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Rinse and Return Program
Content or Curriculum: KDA
Inputs: KDA, Extension
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Producers, General Public
Project or Activity:Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: PAT-1
Inputs: Agent
Date: Fall, Winter
Audience: Producers, Lenders
Project or Activity: County grain meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK specialists
Inputs: Agent, specialist
Date: Winter each year
Audience: Producers, Lenders ect.
Project or Activity: Tobacco production update
Content or Curriculum: UK/UT Specialist
Inputs: Agent specialists
Date: Winter each year
Audience: Farmers Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Production meeting/PBPT training
Content or Curriculum: UK/KDA / Public Health
Inputs: Agent, KDA, UK, Public Health
Date: Spring each year
Audience: Students in Caldwell County Schools
Project or Activity: Trash Sculpture
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Youth, Agent, CCS Natural Resources Curriculum
Date: November 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Farm, Food, and Fitness
Content or Curriculum: My Plate
Inputs:County Extension Agents
Date: Summer 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Jr. Sr. Forestry Field Day
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Forestry Dept.
Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, KY Division of Forestry, Land Bewteen the Lakes
Date: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
Audience: Caldwell County Elementary 3rd grade students
Project or Activity:Food For America
Content or Curriculum: Caldwell County FFA, local farmers, Ag related businesses
Inputs: Agents, community, farmers,
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Caldwell County Teens
Project or Activity: State Forestry Contest
Content or Curriculum: National Forestry Contest
Inputs: Agents, UK Forestry Department, Bernheim National Forest
Date: April 2025
