McLean County CES

County Emphasis:

Agricultural Production & Education

Concentration 1:

Animal Production and Management

Concentration 2:

Plant Production and Management

Concentration 3:

Small Farm Development

Concentration 4:

Food Safety, Quality, and Access

Situation:

The livestock industry remains an integral part of the McLean County's agriculture economic impact. Producers continue to diversify into many aspects of the livestock industry to maintain a diverse income however poultry production remains as the number one livestock enterprise here in McLean County.

Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the the foreseeable future. Grain crop producers are also facing factors not related to agriculture(continued supply change issues, Trade Wars, war in Ukraine, wild fluctuations in the market place) that affect the markets, exports and their profitability.

County Situation:

Being a small rural community, McLean County has indicated through our community assessment a high regard for access to high speed internet for agricultural use, continued youth development and the life skills/mental health training that come along with that. Access to food and health rank high as well, leading to a strategy for our office to provide education in those areas for our community.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize profits for livestock producers as well as staying up to date on new advances in livestock production.

Minimize environmental impact on air, soil and the environment.

Improve sustainability of animal livestock production systems.

Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with livestock marketing and marketing trends

Maximize profits for crop producers.

Minimize environmental impact of air, soil or living area.

Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems.

Significant percentage of producers implementing safety and responsibility concerning pesticide use.

Increase the use of sustainable Best Management Practices.

Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with grain marketing and marketing trends.

Effective utilization of poultry litter by grain producers.

Rewriting Nutrient Management plans to be in compliance with new regulations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopt usage of new technology for crop production(drones, soil mapping).

Utilize social media and/or other outlets to increase awareness of pesticide safety and management practices.

Use diagnostic services to identify insect, disease and weed issues.

Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations.

Increase the number of producers fertility testing poultry litter for more accurate application to crop fields.

Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.

Implement one or more new practices learned through Extension programming.

Complete and implement a Ag Water Quality plan if farm is over 10 acres.

Implement one or more BMP's for livestock production.

Maximize efficiency to control input cost.

Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.

Increase awareness of the program to help producers update Nutrient management plans.

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of current land grant research concerning livestock production.

Identify BMP's for livestock production.

Recognize opportunities for diversification with livestock or new opportunities in livestock production within their chosen livestock enterprises.

Demonstrate proper use of antibiotics in livestock production systems.

Awareness of general public's concerns with livestock production.

Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.

Facilitate ventilation specialist on farm visits for poultry producers in McLean County

Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production.

Increase understanding of production regulations.

Understanding chemical safety and hazards.

Understanding importance of on-farm trials.

Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production.

Identify herbicide resistant pest and strategies to overcome these pest.

Understanding of value of social media in promoting production agriculture(Facebook, Podcast).

Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.

Increase production due to better utilization of poultry litter.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmers will be able to identify new strategies in crop production and IPM knowledge.

Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of new crop production strategies.

Method: Written Evaluation, Verbal Evaluation, face to face visits

Timeline: 8-11 months

Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will implement one or more practice that was learned at an Extension program.

Indicator: Farmers report implementing one or more new practice.

Method: Pre/Post Evaluation, Observation

Timeline: 1-2 years

Long-term Outcome: Farmers are able to minimize cost and maximize profits utilizing Extension research, publications and services with local yield trials as research as well as IPM information.

Indicator: Farmers will report decrease in input cost and increase in profits.

Method: Written Evaluation, Farm Business Analysis Reports, Face to face meetings

Timeline: 2-3 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4th Graders 

Project or Activity: Youth Ag & Safety Day 

Content or Curriculum: Farm Safety, Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development, Youth Development

Inputs: Agents, Teachers, Volunteers

Date: October/ yearly

Audience: All Ages

Project or Activity: McLean County Ag Fair 

Content or Curriculum: Community Vitality & Leadership, Beef, Build Engaged & Empowered Community

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers

Date: July 2025

Audience: Poultry Producers

Project or Activity: Poultry House Controller Training 

Content or Curriculum: Poultry/Small Flocks, Small Farm Diversification, Small Farm Management

Inputs: Agents, Specialist 

Date: December/ Yearly

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmers will be able to identify new strategies in crop production and IPM knowledge.

Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of new crop production strategies.

Method: Written Evaluation, Verbal Evaluation, face to face visits

Timeline: 8-11 months

Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will implement one or more practice that was learned at an Extension program.

Indicator: Farmers report implementing one or more new practice.

Method: Pre/Post Evaluation, Observation

Timeline: 1-2 years

Long-term Outcome: Farmers are able to minimize cost and maximize profits utilizing Extension research, publications and services with local yield trials as research as well as IPM information.

Indicator: Farmers will report decrease in input cost and increase in profits.

Method: Written Evaluation, Farm Business Analysis Reports, Face to face meetings

Timeline: 2-3 years