Henderson County CES

County Emphasis:

Ag Practices

Concentration 1:

Animal Production and Management

Concentration 2:

Plant Production and Management

Concentration 3:

Small Farm Development

Concentration 4:

Sustainability, Natural Resources and Wildlife Management, and Environment

Situation:

Kentucky’s animal production and management strategies encompass sustainable practices, health-focused care, and economic viability across all species thus contributing significantly to the state’s agricultural landscape. Beef cattle play a crucial role in converting Kentucky’s vast 7 million acres of pasture and forage into valuable products. CES focuses on sustainable grazing practices and ensuring optimal use of natural resources like land and water.

Kentucky is renowned as the Horse Capital of the World and is home to a diverse equine population, including thoroughbreds, stock horses, standardbreds, and other breeds. Kentucky’s horse industry focuses on breeding excellence. Many commercial swine farms operate in the state, focusing on efficient growth and high-quality pork. Swine farmers implement strict biosecurity protocols to prevent disease transmission and minimize stress. Kentucky’s small ruminant producers raise various sheep and goat breeds for meat, fiber, and dairy purposes. Small ruminants thrive on pasture-based systems, utilizing natural forage with a priority on health management, including vaccinations, parasite control, and nutrition.

Poultry is the number one agricultural industry in the state, contributing significantly to the economy. The poultry sector contains thriving broiler industry for meat production and laying hens for egg production. Many small flock owners raise chickens for personal consumption or local markets. Implementing conservation practices that protect soil and water resources will ensure the long-term sustainability of Kentucky farmland and improve resilience to climate variability.

To meet the needs of Kentucky animal producers CES Extension will create or expand its efforts to offer need-based education and producer-focused programming for all species. Current/future activities include introducing programs to address and improve specific management systems and introduce new and emerging techniques, technology, and production systems for increased efficiency and profitability.

Youth Focus

Kentucky’s youth should have access to education and life-skills in animal production and management. According to the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture, Kentucky has seen a decline in the number of farms and agricultural land, alongside a slight increase in the average age of producers and farm size. Successful operation of farms and ranches requires business skills, ongoing training and education, and safety awareness (USDA, 2024). The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Community Needs Assessment (2023) highlights key agricultural priorities, including youth life skill training, workforce readiness, access to affordable and nutritious food, support for the local agriculture industry, and promoting agricultural literacy among youth. 4-H projects in animal production and management can help young people develop life skills, learn about responsibility, and gain content knowledge about animals through breeding or market projects.

County Situation:

Agriculture plays a major role in Henderson County. According to the last census, there are 438 farms in the county. There are 180, 679 acres being used for farm ground with the average size of farms being 413 acres. Crop production makes up 96% while livestock and poultry are 4%. It is shown that cropland makes up 162,388 acres while pasture land makes up 3,378 acres. The Census shows that vegetable production ranks 35th in the state while fruit production ranks 28th. Henderson County ranks 5th in the state for overall crop production including grains, oilseeds, dry beans, dry peas and tobacco. Other animals and animal products rank 7th in the state. The census shows that 92 percent of the farms in the county are family farms. 25 percent hire farm labor. Farmers that sell directly to the consumer make up 4 percent. The County Farmers Market has approximately 30 vendors who served a number of visitors within the community. Extension offers educational programs, trainings, and assistance for all of these areas in agriculture in the County. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult

• Increase the quality and number of animals or pounds of milk produced annually contributing to the increased and more stable financial position for producers.
• Increase the use of sustainable management practices across all production methods and species.
• Producers are routinely implementing guidelines and recommendations for efficient and financially sound production demonstrating sustainable behavior change.
• Continually implementing new technology and production practices. 
• Improve the quality of life of animals and humans.
• Increase the quality of beef cattle produced annually contributing to increased and more stable financial position of cattle operations. 
• Increase the use of sustainable management practices across all production methods leading to enhanced production efficiency and reductions in the carbon footprint. 
• Producers are routinely following Beef Quality Care & Assurance standards to produce healthy and high-quality beef. 
• Continually adoption of new technology and production practices.

• Increase the use of sustainable management practices by horse owners. 

• Horse owners will be encouraged to apply best management practices for the care and management of their horses to help control cost of ownership.  

• Increase the quality of small ruminants annually contributing to increased and more stable financial position of small ruminant operations. 

Youth

• Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
• Youth will advocate for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production in their communities. 
• Youth will be life and work ready, contributing to the agricultural community as consumers, leaders, and innovators.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adult

• Annually implement strategies and production methods that result in increased efficiency, and number of animals produced /maintained, and animals harvested or pounds of milk produced.
• Increased biosecurity strategies that promote both animal and human health related behaviors for a safe food system. 
• Increase or strengthen partnerships or relationships with commodity groups to address sustainable management strategies, health-focused care, and economic viability for all livestock. 

• Annually evaluate how they care for and manage their horses using cost effective strategies. 

• Consider how they can use good biosecurity practices to ensure the health of their horses.  

Youth

• Youth will practice skills gained from 4-H agricultural projects and clubs. 
• Youth will communicate agricultural ideas and concepts more effectively. 
• Youth actively adopt and apply advanced agricultural practices, demonstrating a growing commitment to the agricultural community.

Initial Outcomes:

Adult

Animal production and management strategies encompass but are not limited to sustainable practices, health-focused care, and economic viability across all species. Activities will include programs to address and improve specific management systems and introduce new and emerging techniques, technology, and production systems for increased efficiency and profitability. 

• Increase knowledge about sustainable and economically viable management practices.
• Increase skills related to efficient production methods across all species.
• Increase confidence in implementing new and emerging techniques, technology, and production systems. 
• Increase confidence in making decisions related to promoting animal health-related behavior 
• Increase intentions to employ financially sound behavior regarding production methods, use of financial tools, health-focused care, and the human-animal interaction. 

Horses are kept primarily for sport and recreation. The majority of CES clientele can be placed in one of three general categories: 1) the new or first-time owner. These owners may have recently purchased a horse or have taken over full-time care of their horse, 2) Horse owners that have experience but are looking to validate what they do to make sure they are on the right track, and 3) the long time horse owner who is looking to improve management of their horses. 

• Horse owners will evaluate current practices and see where changes might be of benefit. 

• New horse owners can implement the management practices that fit their needs as new horse owners.  

• Long time horse owners can see the new technologies and management practices that may benefit their horse operations.  

• Improve management skills to improve sustainability and reduce cost of ownership. 

Youth

• Youth will explore their spark in agriculture. 
• Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in agriculture.
• Youth will develop a greater awareness and appreciation for the impact of agriculture in their daily life. 
• Youth will expand life and work readiness skills in agriculture, gaining awareness of the diverse opportunities within the field of agriculture.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Adoption of various agriculture and horticulture skills and knowledge.

Indicator: Attendees will show an increase in skills and knowledge 

Method: follow-up Questionnaire  

Timeline: at end of program 

Outcome: Short-term

Indicator:

Number of youth who reported that they have realized the impact animal production has in daily life. 

Number of youth who reported that they have an interest in animal production. 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in animal production and management that fits their interest.   

Number of youth who reported that they understand animal production concepts and ideas.

Number of adults in the county 4-H country ham program.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Henderson Youth (ages 5-18) 

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, Community Resources

Inputs: 4-H Volunteers, Community Partners

Date: Throughout the year

Audience: Elementary School Students

Project or Activity: Agriculture in the Classroom

Content or Curriculum: chick incubation, worms, Ag in the Classroom, etc

Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Program assistant

Date: Spring 2026

Audience: Henderson Youth/Youth Organizations

Project or Activity: Raised bed/Container Gardening 

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Extension Master Gardeners, extension staff

Date: Summer 2025

Audience: Producers 

Project or Activity: Ag and Horticulture Programs 

Content or Curriculum: UK publications 

Inputs: Extension Agents, Specialists 

Date: Throughout the year 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Adoption of various agriculture and horticulture skills and knowledge.

Indicator: Attendees will show an increase in skills and knowledge 

Method: follow-up Questionnaire  

Timeline: at end of program 

Outcome: Short-term

Indicator:

Number of youth who reported that they have realized the impact animal production has in daily life. 

Number of youth who reported that they have an interest in animal production. 

Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in animal production and management that fits their interest.   

Number of youth who reported that they understand animal production concepts and ideas.

Number of adults in the county 4-H country ham program.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Immediate Post Program