Agriculture ProductionPlan of Work

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Simpson County CES

Title:
Agriculture Production
MAP:
24-25 Ag Production, Profitability and Awareness
Agents Involved:
Jason Phillips, Catherine Webster, Nancy Doyle
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Grains
Situation:

Situation: According to the most recent Agriculture Census, Simpson County has 467 farm operations on 101,530 acres, which represents 67.7% of total county land. In comparison, Kentucky’s farm operations make up 51.6% of the state’s total land area. The majority of Simpson County producers remain reliant on income from traditional commodities such as grain crops, tobacco and livestock production. Public Awareness about agriculture production is increasingly important due to a growing population of citizens without an agricultural background or knowledge about the food production process. The Simpson County Extension Council and Ag Advisory Council identified the importance of providing programming to improve practices and profitability for crop and livestock producers as well as promoting agricultural awareness in these areas.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes: Clientele will improve crop and livestock production systems by minimizing costs of production and efficiently utilizing resources. Implementation of these practices along with improved marketing skills will increase profitability. Through increased profitability for local farm families and the local economy, the quality of life for residents in Simpson County will improve. In addition, increased agricultural awareness will allow local citizens to understand the dynamics of our food production systems. This will allow families to make more informed decisions about food consumption and purchases, understand the impact of regulations affecting agricultural production, provide a better overall understanding of production systems, and provide a positive source of information for the public about food production in the U.S. Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy & sustainable food systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes: Clientele will implement a variety of improved crop and livestock production practices and marketing techniques utilizing knowledge gained through Extension training, workshops, field days, publications, newsletters, newspaper articles and radio programs. Awareness programs will result in accurate and agriculture friendly discussions, social media posts and community leadership. Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome: Clientele will be better equipped with knowledge to take, follow and implement Extension soil test fertility management recommendations; scout for weeds, insects and diseases; select disease resistant and higher yielding varieties; make timely plantings; research new technologies; enter into sustainable crop lease agreements; improve their marketing decisions; make better management decisions to optimize their individual cropping system; understand how to take a fact-based approach when assessing agriculture and food related information. Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and animal sciences.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producers will increase their knowledge, make practice changes and increase overall profitability while improving the public perception of agriculture and the long-term sustainability of our food systems.

Indicator: The number of producers indicating knowledge, practice, profitability and awareness as a result of information presented at Extension sponsored events. Participants in youth programs will demonstrate a skill that was learned or improved.

Method: Post-meeting evaluations

Timeline: Evaluations will be given immediately following programs and one to twenty four months following training sessions.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Current & prospective crop producers, agribusiness representatives

Project or Activity: Grain day

Content or Curriculum: Grain production education

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, facilities, UK specialists, UK publications

Date: Winter 2024


Audience: Current & prospective grain & forage producers, Agribusiness representatives

Project or Activity: Promoting UK Performance Trials

Content or Curriculum: small grain, soybean, corn hybrid and forage performance variety trial information and education

Inputs: radio programs, newsletters, one-on-one consultations

Date: 2024-2025 program year


Audience: Extension Agents, current & prospective crop producers, landowners, agribusiness representatives

Project or Activity: UK Zoom Program Series

Content or Curriculum: Timely beef and forage production information accessible by agents and clients anywhere there is an internet connection

Inputs: Agent time, paid staff, UK specialists, Computers, Extension pubs

Date: 2024-2025 program year


Audience: Crop and Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Phase I Programming for Crops/Livestock

Content or Curriculum: Educational information pertaining to crop and livestock production

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, newsletters, Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy, UK resources

Date: January-April 2025


Audience: Current & Perspective Tobacco Producers, Agribusiness Representatives

Project or Activity: Tobacco Production & Disease Control 

Content or Curriculum: variety selection, pest management, fertility, tillage, sucker control, GAP training

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, UK specialists, Extension publications, newsletters, radio programs

Date: 2024-2025 program year


Audience: Crop Producers, crop advisors, agribusiness representatives

Project or Activity: In-County Italian Ryegrass Herbicide Resistance Research

Content or Curriculum:  pre and post emergent herbicide treatments, various treatments and combinations in each block

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, facilities, UK specialists, UK publications

Date: 2024-2025 program year


Audience: Current & Perspective beef producers, agribusiness representatives 

Project or Activity: Educational Beef Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Cattleman’s Association, UK, industry educators, Beef Council

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facilities, UK specialists, Industry specialists, Radio programs, Newsletters

Date: 2024-2025 program year


Audience: General public, current and prospective beef producers

Project or Activity: Beef Month Promotion

Content or Curriculum: beef educational information, mass media awareness, food safety

Inputs: Agent’s time, media outlets, paid staff, newsletters

Date: May 2025


Audience: Current and prospective beef producers

Project or Activity: Simpson Beef Tour

Content or Curriculum: beef educational information, Extension Beef Specialists, Kentucky Beef Network

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, newsletters

Date: Summer 2025


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Ag Awareness Breakfast

Content or Curriculum: agriculture promotion and awareness, showcase local food products, 4-H Country Ham Project

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, newsletters, radio programs, local food producers, Ag Advisory Council, 4-H members

Date: March 2025


Audience: 4th & 5th Grades

Project or Activity: Environmental/Safety Field Day

Content or Curriculum: 4th & 5th Grade KY Science Content, 4-H Core Content Curriculum 

Inputs: Extension Agents, Lincoln Park, KDA, Local Businesses/Organizations, School District

Date: April 2025


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Franklin-Simpson Boofest

Content or Curriculum: showcase past and present agricultural production through AGgtivities methods and agencies supporting agriculture

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, media promotion, newsletters, Ag Advisory Council

Date: October 2024


Audience:  Outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts

Project or Activity:  Wildlife Field Programming and Video Series

Content or Curriculum:  provide wildlife managers key research and information in improving wildlife habitat 

Inputs:  Agents time, video equipment and software, paid staff

Date:  August 2024-February 2025


Audience:  

Project or Activity:  In the Field with UK Extension Video Series

Content or Curriculum:  timely agriculture and horticulture topics addressed by Simpson and Allen County Extension Agents for Agriculture and posted to YouTube for viewing

Inputs:  Agents time, video equipment and software, paid staff 

Date:  2024-2025 program year


Audience: Industry 

Project or Activity: SOKY Commercial Pesticide Training

Content or Curriculum: Commercial Pest Control Education

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, facilities, UK specialists, industry specialists, UK publications, newsletters, radio programs

Date: November 2024


Audience: Agricultural producers

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicators Training

Content or Curriculum: proper handling, storage, application methods, calibration, etc.

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK resources, newsletters, radio program

Date: February – March 2025

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