Extension
It Starts With Us
Traditional Crop Production
Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability
Maggie Forsee
Grains
Forages
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Plant Disease ID
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Carroll County has 308 farms consisting of 50,908 total acres (58.06% of the total county acreage). The market value of products sold was reported to be $5,811,000. Crop sales contributed 57.63% ($3,349,000) of the total value.
The National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) reports the following individual crop sales:
Grains: $2,068,000
Hay: $973,000
Tobacco: $69,000
NASS also estimates the following production in Carroll County in 2017: 20,800 tons of hay and 133,000 bushels of corn
Traditional crop production is an important element of agriculture production in Carroll County, and managing it correctly is essential to the success of other production systems in the county, as well as environmental protection.
Forests, also called woodlands, cover 48% of Kentucky and are mostly privately owned. These forests provide numerous environmental benefits such as improved air, water, and wildlife habitat. Our forests also contribute significantly to our economy with a Kentucky forest industry who employs approximately 60,000 and contributes more than $13 billion annually to the Kentucky economy. Kentucky’s forests can be healthier and more productive by implementing sustainable forest management and utilization practices.
Agriculture representatives of the County Extension Council and County Agricultural Development Council, as well as day-to-day clientele, have identified forage production and forestry as priorities for Extension programming in traditional crop production.
- Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, water, and woodlands.
- Maximize profits for traditional crop producers.
- Producers adopt best management practices for traditional crop and forest systems.
- Producers use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease, and weeds as well as soil testing.
- Producers use drone services for diagnostic and/or marketing purposes.
- Producers gain knowledge in:
- Best management practices for traditional crop and woodland systems, including variety selection, planting, and harvesting.
Outcome:
Long term
Indicator:
Increase in crop cash receipts for traditional crops.
Method:
NASS information from the Kentucky Field Office—County summary given for each year.
Timeline:
2 – 4 years
Outcome:
Intermediate
Indicator:
Increase in producers who adopt best management practices on farms. Increase in diagnostic services by traditional crop producers and woodland owners.
Method:
Surveys of traditional crop producers and woodland owners. Monthly statistics.
Timeline:
1 – 1 ½ years
Outcome:
Initial
Indicator:
Increased participation in learning workshops and classes.
Method:
Attendance Sheets. Evaluations.
Timeline:
8 months – 2 years
Audience:
Carroll County Traditional Crop Producers
Activity:
Traditional Crop Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum:
Focus on the production techniques of grain (corn and soybeans), tobacco, and forage (alfalfa, grasses, and specialty forages) and the benefits of diagnostic services (weed ID, soil sampling, forage sampling, drone services).
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time
Date:
Winter 2024/Spring 2025
Audience:
Carroll County Traditional Crop Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Development of the Traditional Crop Portion of the County Website
Content or Curriculum:
Online information pertaining to crop production
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
