Crops & Livestock Management & Marketing; Horticulture & Forestry Production, Economics & MarketingPlan of Work

Back to the Program

Ohio County CES

Title:
Crops & Livestock Management & Marketing; Horticulture & Forestry Production, Economics & Marketing
MAP:
Agricultural Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Greg Comer, ANR Agent; Gary Druin, 4-H Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Situation:

Ohio County is one of the largest counties in Kentucky, encompassing nearly 381,000 acres. It is also ranked (in top 10%) as one of the largest farm cash receipts generating counties, with over $104 million in farm receipts, according to 2017 Ag Census. It still has great potential for expansion, with over 100,000 acres of underutilized forages, 50,000 acres of Class II and III land still unimproved and 180,000 acres of undermanaged timber. However, expansion must be accomplished in a sustainable method using improved grazing management, better forestry management techniques, enhanced marketing skills, diversification of enterprises and other sustainable systematic approaches. There is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from, today's society lacks an understanding regarding agricultural production and processing. It is important that extension communicates the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life.  One of the key initiatives of Extension and 4-H is to increase the public's awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Landowners/producers will adopt integrated production and management systems which are financially and environmentally sustainable.

•Woodland owners will adopt management systems which improve timber/wildlife productivity, while being ecologically sustainable.

•Farmer’s Market vendors will provide safe, nutritious, high quality produce for local consumers.

•Livestock producers will implement livestock marketing avenues which optimize profitability of their operation.

•Youth will use sound animal husbandry practices in maintaining their livestock projects.

*Youth and adults will be agriculturally literate and be able to make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.

* Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Landowners/producers will follow research based recommendations which protect the environment, while optimizing production.

•Producers will analyze market situations and utilize marketing approaches which optimize pricing opportunities.

•Livestock producers will improve handling facilities and animal handing skills to facilitate improved safety for livestock and handlers.

•Landowners/producers will utilize soil/forage testing, diagnostic services, IPM principles and best management practices which make their operations more sustainable.

•Forest landowners will seek professional assistance when marketing timber and use BMP’s which protect natural resources.

•Youth will care for livestock using proper animal husbandry practices.

•Livestock producers will improve forage utilization management, reduce winter feed needs, and adopt technologies/BMP’s which optimize resources.

•Grain producers will adopt use of new technologies for crop production, which improve efficiency.

* Youth will explaing the role of agriculture in their daily life and will utilize and practice life skills in 4-H agricultural projects, clubs and life situations. 

Initial Outcomes:

•Producers will improve awareness of land-grant research in grain crop production, grazing management, and forage/grain variety trials.

•Producers will expand adoption of new technologies which improve efficiency, safety, and profitability of enterprises.

•Woodland owners will understand timber marketing options and utilize professional assistance for marketing and timber stand improvement.

•Livestock producers will improve utilization of forages, forage harvest management, and feeding management to reduce losses.

•Youth will use learn proper livestock management thru livestock projects

•Producers will utilize information from Extension, KDA and USDA to analyze market opportunities

•Increase in sales and vendors at Farmer’s Market

* Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.

*Youth and adults will gain and understanding of sustainable agriculture systems. 

*Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision making, critical thinking, communication, record keeping, wise use of resources, and leader ship. 

Evaluation:

Evaluation:

Outcome: Landowners/producers utilize testing & diagnostic services, IPM principles and BMP to improve sustainability of agricultural enterprises

Indicator: Number of soil & diagnostic requests. Producers use of IPM & BMP’s

Method: Soil & diagnostics requests. Survey of producers on use of IPM & BMP’s

Timeline: Spring & Summer 2025


Evaluation:

Outcome: Increase in use of Farmer’s Market

Indicator: Vendor sales at Farmer’s Market

Method: Survey of receipts at Farmer’s Market

Timeline: Fall 2024 & Summer 2025


Evaluation:

Outcome:  Increase in Youth Agricultural Projects and agricultural knowledge.

Indicator:  Number of youth developing agricultural projects and strengthening partnerships with Cooperative Extension, 4-H and FFA programs.

Method:  Survey of Youth Agriculture Incentives Program, 4-H Livestock Projects, 4-H Horticulture projects

Time Line:  August 2024-June 2025


Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Ohio County Youth

Project or Activity:  Youth Agricultural Incentives Program

Content or Curriculum:  Kentucky Department of Agriculture Program, 4-H Livestock/Horse curriculum and Extension Publications

Inputs: KDA, Ohio County 4-H, Ohio County FFA, YAIP Committee

Date:  Summer – Winter 2024/Spring 2025


Audience: Pesticide users

Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator training

Content or Curriculum: Pesticide safety training curriculum

Inputs: ANR agent

Date: Jan-April 2025


Audience: Landowners/producers

Project or Activity: Ag Development Cost-Share Educational Programs

Content or Curriculum: Enterprise management & economics

Inputs: Agent & specialist

Date: July 2024 - June 2025


Audience: Beef/Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Beef/Forage Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Livestock management, herd health, forage utilization, weed control, etc.

Inputs: Agent, specialist, industry reps, FSA office, NRCS, O.C. Cattlemen’s Assoc., farm suppliers

Date: Year-round 2024-25


Audience: Landowners & producers

Project or Activity: Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: field trials to demonstrate recommended practices and research

Inputs: agents, producers

Date: Year round 2024-25


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock/Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock/ 4-H Horse project resources, Skill-a-Thon/Judging competitions, State/District Shows

Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Volunteer Leaders

Date: Year-round


Audience: Home Gardeners

Project or Activity: Raising Your Own Vegetables

Content or Curriculum: U.K. pubs & recommendations

Inputs: Agent, specialist

Date: Year round 2024-2025


Audience: 4-H Youth and Families

Project or Activity: 4-H Garden Club - Raising Your Own Vegetables

Content or Curriculum: U.K. pubs & recommendations

Inputs: Agent, specialist

Date: All Year


Audience: Beef producers

Project or Activity: BQCA Beef Quality Cattle Handling Assurance Certification

Content or Curriculum: KY BQA Certification curriculum

Inputs: Agent, BQA Manual, Videos

Date: Multiple times thru year 2024-25


Audience: 4th Grade Students in Ohio Co. Schools

Project or Activity: Youth Ag Days

Content or Curriculum: KY Agriculture

Inputs: Community Agriculture Leaders, Agents, Program Assistants, specialist, Teachers, Ohio Co. Schools, Community Leaders

Date: August 2024


Audience: Woodland owners

Project or Activity: Forestry Webinar & Woodland Owners Programs

Content or Curriculum: Current woodland management topics

Inputs: Extension specialist, agent, industry experts

Date: Year round 2024-2025


Audience: Master Loggers

Project or Activity: Master Logger Programs & Web TV

Content or Curriculum: Current woodland management topics

Inputs: Extension specialist, agent, industry experts

Date: Year round 2024 & 2025


Audience: Grain producers

Project or Activity: Grain Management/Marketing

Content or Curriculum: Grain production, marketing, new technologies, pest control & resistance

Inputs: Specialist, agent, industry personnel, NRCS, FSA, farm suppliers

Date: Winter 2024-2025


Audience: Beef producers

Project or Activity: Beef Management Mtg

Content or Curriculum: Beef management & marketing

Inputs: Area agents, industry personnel, specialist

Date: Winter 2024/25


Audience: Forage producers

Project or Activity: Pasture Walk

Content or Curriculum: Weed ID, Weed Control, Pasture/Hayfield management

Inputs: Agent & Specialist

Date: Fall 2024 or Spring 2025



Back to the Program