Market OpportunitiesPlan of Work

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Woodford County CES

Title:
Market Opportunities
MAP:
Agricultural and Environmental
Agents Involved:
Ryan Farley, Beau Neal, Hannah Thornsberry, Tyson Gregory
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Economic Development
Situation:

In 2017, the National Agriculture Statistics Service has reported that 57% of Woodford County farms showed a financial loss despite an increase in cash receipts. Crops, livestock, and horticulture enterprises are all very important to the Woodford County agriculture economy and programs designed to improve productivity and profitability of these enterprises is essential. Educational and community development programs that not only address production practices, but marketing and risk management tools for farms is needed.

Long-Term Outcomes:

An increase in farm revenue and input efficiency. Financial stability of farming operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.

Initial Outcomes:

Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Increase in farm revenue and principal operators whose primary occupation is farming.

Indicator: Agriculture Statistics

Method: Observation

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Diversified operations and sound risk management practices will allow producers to remain profitable by making informed decisions from research based knowledge.

Indicator: Statement/Observation

Method: Personal Interviews

Timeline: Annually


Initial Outcome: Informed decisions by farmers will allow them to stay current on new technologies, production and risk management practices, and research data.

Indicator: Attendance records

Method: Observation

Timeline: Monthly


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families

Project or Activity: Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Test plot observation, pasture walks, current agriculture topics

Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, specialist's time, program support funds

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families

Project or Activity: Educational Programs

Content or Curriculum: Livestock, Equine,Crop Production, and Risk Management Meetings 

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant's time, Ag Resource Building, local business sponsorships, Specialist's time, program support funds, Woodford Co. Beef Cattle Association, Farm Bureau

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Farmer's Market

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing

Inputs: Farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, University of Kentucky Specialists, Woodford Co. Commercial Kitchen, 

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Scale Certification

Content: KDA guidelines

Input: KDA Regulatory Specialist, Horticulture Agent

Date: Spring


Audience: Farmers/Landowners

Activity: Producer Best Practices Training

Content: UK & KDA Curriculum

Input: UK specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Horticulture Agent

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers/Landowners

Activity: Microprocessing Training

Content: UK & KDA Curriculum

Input: UK specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Local Agent

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Local Foods Directory Website

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Horticulture and Marketing to Promote Local Foods

Inputs: Agent/Program Assistant's time

Date: Annually


Audience: Farmers, Future Farmers, Families, Producers

Project or Activity: Funding Resources for Farmers

Content or Curriculum: Educational program

Inputs: Phase I Cost-share programs, farmer cooperators, Agent/Program Assistant's time, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Woodford County Conservation District

Date: Annually

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