Nelson County CES

Title:

Crop and Livestock Management, Marketing, and Education

MAP:

Agriculture Education, Advancement & Sustainability

Agents Involved:

Smith, Klotz

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture

Situation:

Nelson County is a diversified agricultural county. The 2017 Census of agriculture indicates Nelson County ranks 9th in all hay, 31st in tobacco, 21st in grains/oilseeds, 24th in swine, 18th in dairy, 14th in all cattle and calves. The county ranks 29th in overall cash receipts for agriculture products. The total value of Agriculture products sold was just over $67.1 million. Forty-Two million ($42 million) came from crops while $25 million came from livestock. Since the 2012 Agriculture census, our county has seen a major decline in dairy operations and tobacco demand and a very large increase in local demand for corn due to the explosion of the bourbon industry worldwide.  

Sustainability of family farms was identified by 27.72% of respondents in the Nelson County Extension Community Assessment as the top priority to address.  Nineteen percent (19%) of those same respondents identified more market opportunities for farmers as a top priority as well.  As this is written the pandemic has shone a light on the necessity of a community to be able to grow and process its own food.  The subsequent meat production bottleneck and meat shortage should give rise to an opportunity for on-farm sales and a more exuberant local market. We in Extension can help develop those markets, identify where opportunities are, investigate new crops, and investigate efficiencies.  The necessity to develop local markets that ultimately keep dollars spent in a community in the community can increase the overall sustainability of our community. As this is written the pandemic has shone a light on the necessity of a community to be able to grow and process its own food.  The subsequent meat production bottleneck and meat shortage should give rise to an opportunity for on-farm sales and a more exuberant local market. 

For many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers to attain a level of net income sustainability that provides a comfortable standard of living for their families, through a more efficient level of production management and marketing. New local markets open up to shorten the supply chain between farm and consumer. 4-Hers go on to study an area of agriculture in post-secondary education or gain employment within the field.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farm cooperatives will adopt improved production management and marketing techniques in the areas of crops and livestock so that production is increased economically, or that costs are reduced without sacrificing production.

More farm families participate and become knowledgeable about how the food supply chain works and how they can fit in more efficiently.   

4-H Youth will use the knowledge obtained from judging and skillathon events to purchase, raise, groom, and exhibit their animals.

4-H Volunteers will apply the knowledge they acquire through the 4-H Livestock Volunteer Certification Process and continuing education to educate and mentor youth 4-Hers involved in Livestock projects.

High school youth will tour various agriculture production operations and participate in interactive learning stations that focus on production, marketing, and sustainability, including but not limited to the country ham project.

Initial Outcomes:

• Farmers will gain knowledge in recommended practices for production and marketing and will aspire to implement the in their farming operation to improve profitability.
• 4-H & High School Youth will:
• Gain an understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
• Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
• Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
• Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
• Increase their understanding of the development of living things.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased profitability, practices implemented and knowledge gained in crop and livestock operations.

Indicator: The number of individuals who increase knowledge and awareness in the topic presented and aspire to implement the practice changes in their operation. The number of practices implemented, and amount of increased profitability will also be measured.

Method: Post session evaluations, Personal contact and observation, Follow-up surveys.

Timeline: Post session evaluating, six months for the follow-up and continuous for observation and personal contact.

Initial Outcome: 4-H & High School Youth will:

- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.

- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.

- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.

- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.

Indicator: The number of youth completing a livestock project or participating in 4-H livestock events.

Method:. Observation during Livestock events

Timeline: During Fair and Show Season

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will understand and be able to demonstrate the complete Market to Market process of purchasing, curing and marketing a country ham.

Indicator: Presentation of a county and/or state fair speech or demonstration.

Method: Certified livestock volunteer lead workshops, club meetings, and classes.

Timeline:7 months after initial curing process.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Tobacco Producers

Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP Training

Content or Curriculum: Supplied by Tobacco GAP Connections

Inputs: Meeting Announcement Letters and Agent Time

Date: February 

Audience: Nelson County Producers

Project or Activity: County agriculture Investment Fund educational activities

Content or Curriculum: BQA, Cattle Handling Certification and various other educational meetings as needed.

Inputs: Agent Time, Meeting announcement letters

Date: October, December, January

Audience: Youth Livestock & Jr. Master Cattlemen participants

Project or Activity: Livestock and small animal education

Content or Curriculum: KDA State Guidelines & 4-H/ANR Curriculum

Inputs: Agent Time, Farm Tours, and Fairgrounds

Date: Monthly Meetings

Audience: Master Cattleman Graduates

Project or Activity: Applied Master Cattleman Class

Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM Applied MC Curriculum

Inputs: Agent time, transportation, meeting room, etc.

Dates: Fall

Audience:  Beef Cattle Association 

Project or Activity:  Educational Component of regular meetings

Content of Curriculum: Specialists delivered based on the Needs of the time

Inputs:  Hosting, organizing, facilitating, etc. 

Date: ongoing

Audience: 4-H Volunteers

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Certification program

Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Livestock Curriculum and Client Protection Policies

Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding

Date: As needed

Audience: 4-H Ham Club Participants

Project or Activity: 4-H Market to Market Ham Club

Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum and Enrichment

Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding

Date: Fall to Summer

Audience: Beef Cattle Operations

Project or Activity: Back to Basics Beef Program

Content or Curriculum:: On Farm herd and operation analysis  

Inputs: Agent and Specialists  

Date: Full Season

Success Stories