Grayson County CES

Title:

Enhancing Agriculture Management and Marketing

MAP:

Growing Grayson County through Rural, Youth, and Community Development

Agents Involved:

Whitney Carman

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Situation:

Agriculture in Grayson County is an integral part of the economic system. In 2017 the total value of crop and livestock cash receipts for Grayson County was 59.5 million dollars. Balancing input costs, value of crops and livestock, and marketing techniques are always changing, making it harder for farmers and agriculturalists to be profitable. Another issue is the increase in average farmer age, thus the importance of estate transitional planning. Therefore, it is important to educate farmers on the latest information available from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture food and Environment, and industry partners so they can make educated decisions to help increase the vitality and profitability of their enterprises.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers and Producers will adopt integrated systems of animal and plant production which sustain and/or enhance the economic vitality of their agricultural enterprise. Production methods utilized will increase the amount of commodities produced and enhance their economic value. It is anticipated that there will continue to be an increase in inexperienced farmers and new farmers in 2020 and beyond.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers will utilize new management and marketing skills learned from the Cooperative Extension Service programs that can increase the chance of agricultural enterprise profitability. More farmers will make decisions to work on estate plans, succession plans, and avenues to diversify if the need arises.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will learn new marketing techniques for livestock, grain and forage production. Producers will understand ways of controlling their input costs more effectively. Producers will learn new educational tools that they can use to increase efficiency and effectiveness on their agricultural enterprise.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increases awareness of new production methods and techniques

Indicator: education of production methods and techniques

Method: written and online program evaluation 

Timeline: Spring 2025, Fall 2025

Intermediate Outcome: Improvement in management and production methods

Indicator: Adoption of practices learned in Extension Programs

Method: Survey of Extension Programs, on-site visits, new producers showing increased profits and value, producers showing change in methods learned from programs involved in.

Timeline: Fall 2024

 

Long-term Outcome: Increased Economic Vitality of Agriculture Enterprises

Indicator: Economic conditions of farmers become more viable

Method: mailed survey, online survey, and e-mail survey, on-site visits, client adoption of practices 

Timeline: Fall 2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: farmers

Project or Activity: Livestock Marketing

Content or Curriculum: CPH-45 program, Yellow-Tag program, Retained Ownership Program, KY Proud, KY Beef IRM, Beef PVAP program, other value-added marketing programs through UK/KBN

Inputs: UK Specialists, UK Beef Publications, county agents, beef farmers, Cooperative Extension Services, local livestock markets, Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Date: Spring-Winter 2024-25

 

Audience: farmers

Project or Activity: Beef and Forage Production Education

Content or Curriculum: Publications and videos on forages and beef production, grazing management programs, hay quality and forage testing

Inputs: UK publications, UK videos, Specialists, social media outlets

Date: Winter 

 

Audience: beef farmers

Project or Activity: Beef and Forage Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Demonstration plots, UK publications and presentations on beef marketing and forage use

Inputs: UK specialists, Local Farmer, Kentucky Beef Network, Agents, Publications, Beef IRM Committee, local farm stores, industry representatives 

Date: Winter 2024, Spring 2025

 

Audience: commodity farmers

Project or Activity: Variety Plots and demonstrations for crops, forages, and vegetables

Content or Curriculum: County variety plots for Corn, soybeans, summer and winter forages, and vegetables

Inputs: UK Specialists, Local seed reps, Local farmers, UK publications

Date: Summer 2024, Fall 2025

 

Audience: Early career farmers

Project or Activity: Farm Financial Management

Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum for Managing for Today and Tomorrow

Inputs: UK, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Ag Development Fund, Agents, local businesses

Date: Spring 2025

 

Audience: Women in Agriculture and Agribusiness

Project or Activity: Annie's Project, Annie's Project sub-programs

Content or Curriculum: financial management and general agribusiness education

Inputs: UK, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Ag Development Fund, Agents, local businesses, Annie's Project curriculum, Kentucky Women in Agriculture programming

Date: Winter 2024

 

Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Grain Marketing Education

Content or Curriculum: Information on grain marketing

Inputs: UK publications, UK specialists, local marketing groups, producers

Date: Winter 2024

 

Audience: Young Farmers

Project or Activity: Young Farmer Leadership Program

Content or Curriculum: FarmStart curriculum, UK specialists, local agribusinesses, local farmers, UK Extension agents, commodity organizations

Date: Meet Quarterly

 

Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public

Project or Activity: Social media posts regarding agriculture marketing and management techniques

Content or Curriculum: various research-based resources

Inputs: UK Specialist, paid Extension Staff, social media outlets

Date: Monthly 2024-25

Success Stories