Grant County CES

Title:

Fixating the Focus on the Local Food Supply

MAP:

Elevating Local Food Systems

Agents Involved:

Ammerman, Conkwright, McFarland

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

Situation:

Recent community needs assessment coupled with the global pandemic have shifted consumers focus from large chain grocery stores toward locally sourced items to fulfill their need for food staples.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Consumer demand for locally grown and processed foods continues to climb.  Farmers recognize and respond to consumer demand and retaliate by matching with supply.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmer's look toward alternative methods of production and sales of off farm products.  Farm respond quicker to consumer demands.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers acquire knowledge to understand new and emerging markets.  Farmer's also adjust production and marketing practices to reach new consumer populous. 

Evaluation:

Increase in farm gate revenues, More consumers purchase locally raised foods. 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cattle Owners

Project or Activity: Building Better Beef

Content or Curriculum: UK Beef IRM

Inputs: Agent and UK website

Date: monthly throughout the year

Audience: Beef Farmers

Project of Activity: Master Cattlemen

Content or Curriculum: UK Beef IRM and UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Fall 2024

Audience: Goat Producers

Project of Activity: Meat Goat Updates

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications, KSU specialists

Date: March 2025

Audience: Sheep and Goat Farmers

Project of Activity: Small Ruminant Workshop

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications KSU specialists

Date: March 2025

Audience: Forage Farmers

Project or Activity: Controlling Weeds in Pastures and Hayfields

Content or Curriculum: UK Agronomy

Inputs: Agent and UK website

Date: Spring 2024

Audience: Forage Farmers

Project or Activity: Pasture Renovation

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Spring 2024

Audience: County Ag Investment Program Farmers

Project of Activity: Hay Storage to increase profits

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Year Round

Audience: Dairy and Beef Farmers

Project of Activity: Silage Production Update

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications,

Date: March 2025

Audience: Vegetable Farmers

Project of Activity: Producers Best Practices Training

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date:  April 2025

Audience: Farmer’s Markets

Project of Activity: SNAP-Ed, WIC and Senior Coupons

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists

Date: Jan 2025 throughout the growing season

Audience: 6,7, & 8 Graders

Project of Activity: GCMS Garden

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agent and volunteers

Date: March –Sept 2025

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project of Activity: 4-H Horticulture Club

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Publications

Inputs: UK publications and specialists, agents and volunteers

Date: March – Oct 2025