Floyd County CES

County Emphasis:

Agricultural Education and Production

Concentration 1:

Small Farm Development

Concentration 2:

Plant Production and Management

Concentration 3:

Animal Production and Management

Concentration 4:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Situation:

Agriculture is not as prevalent in Floyd County as in other parts of the state. The county has mostly part-time and small farmers. Most of these producers have diversified operations with small numbers of livestock and/or acres of pasture and crops. Even though these are smaller operations, they still add financial support to their families and to the county. The major livestock in the county consists of beef cattle, goats, sheep and horses. The major crops consist of hay, corn, fruits and vegetables. Also, a large number of the people in the county raise a small garden or fruit trees for home use. The leadership has directed us to address the above areas with the necessary emphasis on sustainability, diversification, small farm production and marketing. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults. Mainly directed to those individuals involved or with an interest in livestock, crops, fruit, and vegetable production, both commercially and family based. Another goal for Extension is to increase agricultural awareness and literacy among the youth in the county. One of the key initiatives in 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life. Family and Consumer Sciences acknowledges a foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food preservation, handling, and techniques

County Situation:

Floyd County hosts a total of 61 registered farms with the average of 113 acres of land. Floyd County basis of being part-time and small farmers allows us to concentrate on backyard operations and homesteading opportunities. these are done through educational programs and partnerships with Grow Appalachian which is based on organic solutions for gardening. Currently this involves 40 participates.  This in turn allows for a safer intake of produce into our bodies as well as a concentration of environmental protection of our soil and water. Through the direction of our advisory council, we will incorporate more educational workshops for the garden community as well as small ruminants. In order to encourage growth, we will concentrate on cost share opportunities such as NRCS, CIAP, and state cost share. This will allow our clients to not only invest but give them the ability to expand their small share farming operations. Through this we will push for a permanent home for our farmer's market. This will allow our clients the ability to sell their excess products as well as provided heathy opportunities for non-gardeners to feed their families. Through the education of homesteading, we will provide opportunities for expansion of different small-scale operations for these families. We will also educate farmers on the importance of estate planning to ensure properties can be transferred among family's members in attempt to keep farmland in production within the county. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Achieve a stable economic environment where small farms are consistently profitable and competitive within both local and broader markets. 
• Establish networks of urban farms that are integral to their local food systems, providing fresh produce and fostering urban-rural agricultural links. 
• Strengthen local economies through the continuous support of farmer’s markets, community gardens, and community-supported agriculture programs that are well-integrated with urban horticulture initiatives.
• Reduced unnecessary pesticide exposure to farmers, agribusiness and the general public
• Increase the quality of beef cattle produced annually contributing to increased and more stable financial position of cattle operations.
• Producers are routinely following Beef Quality Care & Assurance standards to produce healthy and high-quality beef.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Assist small farm owners in developing and implementing comprehensive whole farm plans that address financial, production, and environmental aspects. 
• Support the establishment of new farm enterprises that can offer innovative products and practices, enhancing the economic resilience of the small farm sector. 
• Provide robust support for estate planning and farm transitions to ensure the longevity of small farms across generations. 
• Continue development and dissemination of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices by specialists and agents to educate producers and promote IPM practices and/or organic practices that reduce chemical inputs while maintaining crop health and productivity.
• Adoption of improved pesticide safety practices
• 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.? 

Initial Outcomes:

• Develop and launch targeted educational programs that focus on sustainable practices, risk management, and cost reduction specifically tailored for small farm owners. 
• Increase access to existing resources and tools including online platforms to increase awareness and usability for small farm owners. 
• Facilitate connections between small farm owners and local markets, including urban markets, to help diversify sales channels and improve income stability.  
• Organize community events and workshops that foster networking among small farm owners and promote the sharing of best practices and innovations. 
• Initial and continuing education opportunities for certified pesticide applicators
• Stakeholders have access to timely diagnostics to avoid or reduce the impact of disease outbreaks
• Increase knowledge about sustainable and economically viable management practices.?
• Increase intentions to employ financially sound behavior regarding production methods, use of financial tools, health-focused care, and the human-animal interaction.? 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased application of recommended horticultural practices for non-commercial production 

Indicators: 

• Number of people that implemented environmental stewardship. 
• Number of people that reduced pesticide applications. 
• Number of community members utilizing the sites and/or amount of produce donated from sites. 
• Number of trained volunteers. 
• Number of self-reported volunteer hours at community sites. 
• Number of producers who reported reduced production inputs/costs. 

Method: Interactions with clients, attendance at Extension educational events, direct observation and feedback 

Timeline: ongoing 

Outcome: Stakeholders have knowledge and tools needed to better protect crops from diseases and understand the benefits of adopting best disease management practices and resistance mitigation. Stakeholders are more aware of UK plant pathology research

Indicator: Number of stakeholders who reported increased knowledge of research-based disease identification and management practices for crops grown in Kentucky and/or share that information with other stakeholders.

Method: Primarily surveys, records from consultations

Timeline: Annual

Outcome: Increased awareness of beef cattle quality assurance and care practices 

Indicator: Number of participants who obtained BQCA certifications 

Method: Post-program test 

Timeline: After program participation or online 

Outcome: Increased awareness and accessibility of Extension resources and programs supporting food access. (initial)

Indicator: 

• Number of individuals reporting an increased awareness of how to find and prepare local food including responsible hunting/fishing/foraging. 
• Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.). 
• Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding nutrition and accessing healthy foods through Extension programs and resources. 
• Number of individuals who were introduced to healthy food access points (e.g. farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) through Extension programs or resources.  

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Food Preservation, Champion Food Volunter Leader Training; the Learning Kitchen Participant follow-up eval. TBD; # of certified Champion Food Volunteers in each county;

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)

Learning Opportunities:

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Audience: Non-commercial urban and community gardeners 

Project or Activity: Programming for specialty crop production and management that is non-commercial 

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, Field Days, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, Field Visits, emails and phone calls 

Inputs: Extension Specialists, Kentucky Horticulture Council, USDA funding, Dept of Labor funding, county agents, KDA, professional member organizations, community advocacy and faith-based groups, schools 

Dates: Fall 2025/ Spring 2026

Audience: Agricultural producers and the public

Project or Activity: Pest and disease identification

Content or Curriculum: Clinical diagnoses and trainings

Inputs: Diagnostic labs and services

Date: SPRING 2026

Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents 

Project or Activity: BQCA trainings 

Content or Curriculum: State BQCA videos and chute-side trainings 

Inputs: UK Beef Specialist 

Dates: Summer 2026

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4 H and Youth Ag Programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Agriculture Curriculum: agriculture issues and production to introduce and educate youth about the importance of agriculture

Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists

Date: Year round

Audience: Individuals & Farmers

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Food as Health Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials, www.planeatmove.com, Super Star Chef, Farm to School, Hunger in Kentucky

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health & wellness, 4-H, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farmers/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc. 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Individuals & Farmers

Project or Activity: Home Based Micro Processing

Content or Curriculum: HBMP Training materials

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, health department, State of Kentucky, KDA, non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, farmers, farmers’ markets, etc. 

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Individuals & Farmers

Project or Activity: Cook Wild

Content or Curriculum: Publications, trainings, recipes

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, non-profits, 4-H, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, etc.

Dates: Ongoing

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Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: School, Community or Recovery Gardens

Content or Curriculum: NEP “Grow your own” publications, Hort. Dept. publications, youth gardening curriculum, Recovery Garden Toolkit

Inputs: Gardening materials, paid staff, community partners, 4-H, volunteers, grant funds, local organizations and community partners, schools, recovery centers, Nutrition Education Program

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Toolkit

Content or Curriculum: Farmers’ Market Toolkit

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, facilities, health department, non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations, Homemakers, community centers, farmers, farmers’ markets, etc.

Dates: Ongoing

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Nutrition and Food Preparation

Content or Curriculum: Put It Up: Food Preservation

Inputs: 

• 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities.  
• Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects. 
• Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association  
• Four residential camping facilities.  
• Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.  
• Utilization of approved research-based curriculum. 
• Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System.  
• Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.  
• Funding from local, state, and federal sources.  
• Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery. 
• Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs 

Dates: September 1 – August 30 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased application of recommended horticultural practices for non-commercial production 

Indicators: 

• Number of people that implemented environmental stewardship. 
• Number of people that reduced pesticide applications. 
• Number of community members utilizing the sites and/or amount of produce donated from sites. 
• Number of trained volunteers. 
• Number of self-reported volunteer hours at community sites. 
• Number of producers who reported reduced production inputs/costs. 

Method: Interactions with clients, attendance at Extension educational events, direct observation and feedback 

Timeline: ongoing 

Outcome: Stakeholders have knowledge and tools needed to better protect crops from diseases and understand the benefits of adopting best disease management practices and resistance mitigation. Stakeholders are more aware of UK plant pathology research

Indicator: Number of stakeholders who reported increased knowledge of research-based disease identification and management practices for crops grown in Kentucky and/or share that information with other stakeholders.

Method: Primarily surveys, records from consultations

Timeline: Annual

Outcome: Increased awareness of beef cattle quality assurance and care practices 

Indicator: Number of participants who obtained BQCA certifications 

Method: Post-program test 

Timeline: After program participation or online 

Outcome: Increased awareness and accessibility of Extension resources and programs supporting food access. (initial)

Indicator: 

• Number of individuals reporting an increased awareness of how to find and prepare local food including responsible hunting/fishing/foraging. 
• Number of policy, systems, and/or environmental changes implemented within communities and organizations to promote active living, and healthy eating, including local food production and/or hunting/foraging and consumption (e.g. local food pantry can accept fresh foods or local game; starting/revitalizing a school or community garden; starting a walking club, etc.). 
• Number of individuals who reported increasing their knowledge, skills, or intentions regarding nutrition and accessing healthy foods through Extension programs and resources. 
• Number of individuals who were introduced to healthy food access points (e.g. farmers’ markets, CSAs, WIC, food pantries) through Extension programs or resources.  

Method: Pre/post participant evaluations from: NEP agent-led curricula, Food Preservation, Champion Food Volunter Leader Training; the Learning Kitchen Participant follow-up eval. TBD; # of certified Champion Food Volunteers in each county;

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration; annual fiscal year (food system impact survey)