Extension
It Starts With Us
Ag Awareness, Marketing & Leadership 2025
Agriculture
Joanna Coles, Julie Brown & Kristin Hildabrand
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
With more citizens at least one generation removed from the farm, it is crucial for individuals and communities to understand the importance of agriculture. Ag awareness was identified as a high priority in the Warren County needs assessment survey and for the agricultural advisory council. Empowering farmers and agriculturalist to share their story and market their piece of agriculture is essential in this effort.
- Development of agriculture advocates who deliver the importance of agriculture message and are able to think critically about important ag issues.
- Improve profitability of farms.
- Individuals engage in the development of agriculture awareness materials and events
- Adopt marketing principles
- Individuals are made aware of the importance of agriculture
- Individuals participate in leadership training
Initial Outcome: Individuals engage in learning more about agriculture & farmers learn more about marketing.
Indicator: Individuals state they gained knowledge and are aware of importance of agriculture and marketing principles.
Method: Participation at events or engaging in media campaigns. Post session evaluation.
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcomes: Content developed to promote agricultural awareness by local leadership. Farmers adopt marketing principles.
Indicator: Number reached through educational content & number of individuals involved
Method: Educational distribution and follow up surveys.
Timeline: Ongoing content
Long-term Outcomes: Agricultural advocates engaged in public policy and strategic planning and farmers increase profitability due to marketing techniques.
Indicator: Number of individuals involved in agriculture advocacy and to increase in farm income.
Method: Observations
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Beef Consumers
Project or Activity: Beef Promotion Month
Content or Curriculum: Beef nutrition, cuts and recipe demos
Inputs: Media, grant funding, KY Beef Council, Cattlemen’s Association
Date: May 2025
Audience: Dairy Consumers
Project or Activity: Dairy Promotion Month
Content or Curriculum: Dairy nutrition, recipe demos
Inputs: Media, SUDIA
Date: June 2025
Audience: Community Leaders, Farmers, Local Food Enthusiasts
Project or Activity: Ag Awareness Breakfast
Content or Curriculum: Ag Awareness
Inputs: Volunteers, farmers, sponsors, facilities
Date: March 2025
Audience: Farmers & Consumers
Project or Activity: Farm & Home Show
Content or Curriculum: Timely Agriculture Topics
Inputs: Agent’s Time, specialists, Fox & WBKO networks
Date: 5 episodes 5:15am; 5 episodes 7:15 a.m.
Audience: Farmers & Consumers
Project or Activity: Ag Connections
Content or Curriculum: Timely Agriculture Topics
Inputs: Agent’s Time, specialists, WKCT production team, sponsors
Date: Tuesdays 8:30am
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Warren County Ag Facebook Page
Content or Curriculum: Timely Agriculture Topics and Event Announcements
Inputs: Staff Assistant’s Time
Date: Weekly Plus Updates
Audience: Farmers & Consumers
Project or Activity: Warren County Ag Website
Content or Curriculum: Timely Agriculture Topics and Event Announcements
Inputs: Staff Time, Equipment Content
Date: Monthly Updates
Audience: Consumers and Non-traditional Farmers
Project or Activity: YouTube
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture, Food, Horticulture
Inputs: Staff time, video production, video editing
Date: Weekly
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: Warren County Ag Blog
Content or Curriculum: Ag News
Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Farmers/Food Entrepreneurs
Project or Activity: Social Media for Farmers
Content or Curriculum: Content Creation, Audiences, Analytics
Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Time, Social Media Stats
Date: Winter 2024
Author: Joanna Coles
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
Social media represents a massive potential for outreach for the Cooperative Extension Service. Warren County Agriculture focuses on timely agricultural and horticulture educational information, event promotion, agriculture awareness campaigns, and recognition of local farmers. Since January 2024, Warren County Agriculture’s Facebook page has reached 275369 accounts and engaged 2664 people with 3.4K followers. Social media blue book values each post on the page at almost
