Extension
It Starts With Us
Forage, Crop and General Agricultural Practices
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Harned
Forages
Integrated Pest Management
Soil testing
Hay testing
As in many counties, there is a diverse farming community in Boyd County, from the standpoint of size to products to the experience, or lack thereof of the land owner, to the greatly varied knowledge of farming in today's world. Given these wide variations, many times just basic, general farm knowledge is lacking and needs to be presented. Many times what one considers a problem or a waste, another considers a great use of the resource, and vice versa. Many clientele do not keep up with the latest policies and programs that are being enacted that affects them and their farms and lands. This will be the second time that Boyd County has been able to offer the full CAIP program through the Ag Development Board and Phase 1 funds. Time and programs will be developed/devoted to addressing this with county farmers and landowners.
Forages are by far the largest crop grown in the county, both as pasture and stored feed, i.e. hay, baleage, silage, etc. Grain production is not a significant enterprise within the county with fewer than 5 producers of any size, so educational information for this is delivered on an individual basis as needed or requested. There does seem to be a renewed interest in grains and legumes as cover crops and for inter-seeding into pastures for winter grazing.
The farmers and landowners will be more efficient and knowledgeable in their production and use of the land. The ones that want to 'make money' will be doing so at a sustainable rate and those who are more recreational, will be utilizing their property to the fullest extent that they want. By putting new and/or improved production practices and products, of whatever type, into use in their yearly operations, the producers will see an increase in the quantity and quality of their crops in a very sustainable manner. When this occurs, the income for the producer should also increase creating the opportunity for a better lifestyle for them and their families. CAIP funded projects have a a long term impact on those who receive the cost share funds.
Landowners and farmers will safely administer practices upon their properties than are both profitable, if desired, as well as environmentally responsible. They will take advantage of programs that they have access to to help them achieve their goals. There will be a continued increase in adopting new research based production improvements, practices and technologies. There will also be an increase in the number of producers adopting new varieties, and maybe even species, that are not currently being used in the county or region. These changes will be based on their improved understanding of why these are good changes to adapt into their production system.. CAIP funded projects will continue to be used on farms.
Basic knowledge about safe, legal, and proper usages of the land, and practices enacted upon the land, will be presented in many different programs and ways. They will also learn about new programs and policies that are being implemented and that can and will affect them. Forage producers will continue to attend classes and programs related to their product to gain information and skills needed to increase production, both with quality and quantity. As more GMO seeds and other scientific and/or technological advances for forages come onto the market, so does the need to continually educate the producers about the production values as well as the social values, both positives and negatives. Re-enforcement will also continue to be presented as to the positive effects for traditional production improvements such as soil testing, forage quality testing, correct seeding, etc. This will include educating local farm supply stores on the benefits of offering these new or improved seeds, equipment, etc. Farmers will successfully apply for CAIP funds and complete the practices that they receive funding for at a high rate.
Initial Outcome: Landowners and farmers will gain knowledge to become good environmental stewards for their land, as well as to put into use practices that will enable them to be profitable if desired or at least start to achieve the desired outcomes that they are looking to accomplish with their property. Farmers apply for CAIP funds and are eligible to receive them.
Indicator: More efficient practices beginning to be implemented, as well as increased income and good land stewardship practices. Number of CAIP applications approved.
Method: Personal contact and observations as well as. Numbers from county administrator.
Timeline: Fall 2024- Spring 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Landowners and farmers will begin to see the benefits, both financial and otherwise, to implementing the sustainable practices that they have learned and have implemented. Number of CAIP projects completed compared to number of applications approved.
Indicator: Proper methods and practices will be used on the farms and lands. Number of CAIP projects completed and cost share reimbursement received.
Method: Personal contact and observations as well as. Contact with farmers and county administrator.
Timeline: Summer 2024
Long-term Outcome: The land and the landowners will be showing long term sustainability due to the practices learned and put into use on their lands and farms. Number of CAIP projects that continue to benefit the farmers who completed their funded projects.
Indicator: The practices being used on farms and lands and the changes that have been implemented to ensure sustainability and profitability. Number of projects still in use.
Method: Personal contact and observations as well as.
Timeline: Fall 2024 and beyond
Initial Outcome: Increased production of hay/pasture and quality of the forage produced, and better and more weed control in forage fields and crops, as well as more targeted fertilization
Indicator: More quantity and higher quality of hay being produced with less weeds
Method: Personal contact with producers, forage testing for quality, number of soil samples performed
Timeline: Fall 2024 and continuing as requested and needed
Intermediate Outcome: Increase in number of producers having forages tested, soil samples tested, and implementing weed control practices
Indicator: More producers adapting weed control measures, as needed, to improve stand quality
Method: Personal contact with producers, forage testing for quality, number of soil samples performed
Timeline: Ongoing as needed, no set time frame
Long-term Outcome: The overall long term quality and quantity of forages remains at a high level, with better weed control
Indicator: Continued production of high quality forage and sustained higher quantity
Method: Personal contact with producers, forage testing for quality, number of soil samples performed
Timeline: Fall 2023 and as needed rest of year
Long-term Outcome: County farmers will be able to correctly ID weeds and how to control them on their farms
Indicator: More significant control of aggressive, detrimental weeds, specifically in pastures and hay fields and along fence rows
Method: Field and classroom programs dealing with weed ID and control, especially tough to deal with weeds and new weeds as they become an issue
Timeline: Seasonally in 2024 and beyond
Audience: Farmers and landowners
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Pesticide Training
Content or Curriculum: Use materials provided by UK specialist
Inputs: Facilities, copies, training
Date: Winter/early spring 2024
Audience: Farmers and landowners
Project or Activity: Weed ID and control
Content or Curriculum: How to ID weeds and to control them, if needed
Inputs: Facilities, cooperators, herbicides,
Date: Seasonally Summer/fall 2024 winter/spring 2023
Audience: Farmers and landowners
Project or Activity: Timely updates and postings of new or revised programs or policies that can affect them and their operations
Content or Curriculum: Depends on what the issue is.
Inputs: Computer communication, mail outs, in person meetings
Date: Continuous effort as issues develop
Audience: County Farmers
Project or Activity: BQCA Training and Certification
Content or Curriculum: State BQCA curriculum
Inputs: My becoming certified to teach program; facilities to offer training; state BQCA training materials
Date: Fall 2024 - Winter/spring 2025 as needed
Audience: County Farmers
Project or Activity: KY Ag Water Quality Training and certification
Content or Curriculum: KY Ag Water Quality Certification materials
Inputs: County Conservation Office personnel; AG Water Quality materials; Facilities to offer training in
Date: Fall 2024- Winter/spring 2025 as needed
Audience: County Farmers
Project or Activity: CAIP Informational meetings
Content or Curriculum: CAIP information from KOAP website and Administrator training
Inputs: Facilities to hold meetings; agent and county administrator; PowerPoint developed by agent
Date: When new round of CAIP is offered, per county administrator
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Annual Eastern Kentucky Hay Testing Program and Contest
Content or Curriculum: Understanding Hay Test Results publication
Inputs: Agent taking samples, state specialists, UK testing for free
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Farmers in Boyd County
Project or Activity: Free soil testing with test being paid for by Conservation and Farm Bureau; increased number sponsored from 100 to 150 starting in 2024, up to 3 free per county resident
Content or Curriculum: Understanding soil test results pub, personal contact and understanding recommendations derived from soil test results
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office, Conservation Office and County Farm Bureau (split costs)
Date: Begins Jan.1 each year, until 100 have been tested
Audience: Land owners, farmers and producers
Project or Activity: Demonstration plots on various forage and cover crop options
Content or Curriculum: Production examples of various species selected
Inputs: Seed, cooperators, Extension agent, specialists, Extension owned property
Date: Fall 2024 - spring 2025
