Henry County CES

County Emphasis:

Sustainability of Family Farms

Concentration 1:

Animal Production and Management

Concentration 2:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Small Farm Development

Concentration 4:

Building Leadership Capacity

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.

 

A disproportionate number of Kentuckians live in economically distressed communities (39% of Kentuckians, compared to 15% nationally). Further, most Kentucky households are concerned with financially sustaining a quality of life that allows them to survive and thrive in an economically challenged society. Farmers are even more susceptible to financial stress.

 

Small farms play a vital role in the competitiveness and sustainability of rural and farm economies, protecting and enhancing natural resources and the environment, and maintaining rural populations. Kentucky Cooperative Extension will continue to aid small farm owners by providing educational opportunities and increasing awareness of resources offered through various programs and online platforms. This includes developing new and improved practices to reduce production costs, protect and improve soil and water resources, and offer options for specialty crop production. Extension personnel will also promote whole farm plans, estate planning, farm transitions, risk management, and market opportunities.

 

Leadership is critical at several levels, from elected officials and internal management structure of organizations to project managers, team leaders, and those who inspire throughout a community. Thriving communities may require many leaders willing to take on leadership roles. And yet, it can be a challenge to identify new leaders or to encourage leaders to step up to the role without first building leadership capacity (CEDIK 2024).

County Situation:

Animal production plays a huge role in the agricultural community of Henry County. There are around 21,000 head of cattle and calves in Henry County, higher than the population of citizens. Cattle was the predominate commodity to replace tobacco and dairy. The CAIP program played a role in that transition to cattle. Millions of dollars have been dispersed in the county in the form of fencing, waterers, ponds, chutes, and high-quality bulls and heifers. Programs like Master Cattleman have done a fantastic job of improving practices. Our next steps are in advancing those practices. Extension programming will be focused on introducing new technology and tools to cattle farmers.

Small ruminant production has seen some increase in Henry County. Sheep and goat production can be done with marginal land and is seen as more practical for new and beginning farmers. Extension programming in this area will be focused on production basics.  

 

The Henry County farmers encounter financial stressors. The average market value of products sold per farm in Henry County was $42,827 according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The average total farm expenses in Henry County were $41,554 in that same data set. 

 

The Henry County Agricultural landscape is almost entirely made up of small farms. The community at large identifies as a rural and agrarian. Supporting the rural economy will be a focus of extension programming in Henry County. 

 

Henry County has many strong leaders in the agricultural community. Several presidents and board members for large organizations like the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and Kentucky Corn Growers are from Henry County. The issue that Henry County faces are with younger leaders. There is a large gap of leadership in people less than 45 years old. Developing those leaders, especially ones with connections to agriculture is a goal of ANR extension programming.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

• 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.? 
• Increase the quality of beef cattle produced annually contributing to increased and more stable financial position of cattle operations. 
• 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. 
• Strive to have all participating small farms fully implement sustainable practices that protect and enhance natural resources. 
• Equip small farms to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of changing climate patterns, ensuring their sustainability and resilience. 
• Enhance the role of small farms in maintaining rural populations and contributing to cultural heritage, ensuring that these communities remain vibrant and connected. 
• Increased financial literacy skills
• Improved financial security and stability
• Improved financial and economic well-being
• Strong leadership pool for community boards and organizations
• Strong boards and organizations accomplish more in the community
• Increased community pride or investment
• Improved local economy
• Improved quality of life for citizens

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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.? 
• 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. 
• Develop and disseminate advanced risk management tools and insurance products tailored for the unique needs of small farms. 
• Increased sound financial decision making
• Implementation of financial literacy and resource management strategies/skills
• Increased savings (e.g., as a result of budgeting, saving, reducing debt, spending wisely, stretching resources)
• Increased access to community financial resources
• Participants gain confidence to lead
• Leaders are inspired to get more involved
• Leaders address community issues and needs
• Leaders recruit and engage others to participate in community projects
• Leaders mentor others
• Increased knowledge transfer through volunteer-led positions

Initial Outcomes:

• 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.? 
• 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. 
• Implement trial programs for specialty crops that could be suitable for small farms, providing a new avenue for diversification and innovation in crop production. 
• Improved financial literacy knowledge
• Improved employability and interpersonal skills
• Increased confidence to implement employability strategies
• Developed strategies for maintaining a health work-life balance
• Improved leadership skills
• Enhanced knowledge of concepts and practices
• Knowledge gained through training programs
• Taking on leadership roles for the first time
• Assuming new leadership roles
• Participants give their time to serve in volunteer roles

Evaluation:

Outcome: Improved leadership skills. (initial)

Indicator: Number of people reporting improved leadership skills (e.g., facilitation, conflict management, communication).

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline: Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

Outcome: Increased livestock management knowledge 

Indicator: Number of livestock producers indicating increased understanding of farm management. 

Method: Program evaluation tools / surveys 

Timeline: Ongoing 

Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cattle farmers

Project or Activity: Advanced Master Cattleman 

Content or Curriculum: Based on the current Master Cattleman program but more advanced topics in cattle production. 

Inputs: Several UK Beef Specialists 

Date: Spring 2026

Audience: Young Farmers from Henry and surrounding counties 

Project or Activity: Henry County Young Farmers Group

Content or Curriculum: a board of created from the Young Farmers group will develop a ciriculum for the year. Feedback from this audience has indicated a need for financial literacy. The Ciriculum will have a heavy focus in this area. The ANR Agent will be working with Johnathan Shepperd and other Ag Economics Faculty to develop this. This group will also have a focus on leadership development. This will start with deveoping the initial board, but with rotations should cover the larger group. 

Inputs: programmatic materials, financial literacy books, community partners, CEDIK for leadership development materials. 

Date: Start fall 2025, repeating monthly 

Audience: Forage producers in Henry County 

Project or Activity: Master Forage Maker/ Hay Auction 

Content or Curriculum: an advanced ciriculum will be developed from previous versions of this series. A hay auciton similar to what is done in Madison County will be at the conclution of the series. 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, community partners, volunteers, etc. 

Date: Spring 2027 

Audience: 3rd graders in all schools in Henry County 

Project or Activity: Youth Ag Day

Content or Curriculum: Topics for the day are taught by volunteers

Inputs: Programmatic materials, community partners, volunteers, etc. 

Date: Yearly in the fall 

Audience: Henry County Coumminty Members

Project or Activity: Henry Leadership

Content or Curriculum: Community members tour the county and learn about local businesses and agribussiness

Inputs: community partners and volunteers

Date: Yearly in the Spring, Summer, and Fall 

Audience: Henry County Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, community partners, volunteers, etc. 

Date: Spring 2027 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Improved leadership skills. (initial)

Indicator: Number of people reporting improved leadership skills (e.g., facilitation, conflict management, communication).

Method: Post participation survey (self-assessment of learning gains)

Timeline: Survey will be collected immediately after program participation

Outcome: Increased livestock management knowledge 

Indicator: Number of livestock producers indicating increased understanding of farm management. 

Method: Program evaluation tools / surveys 

Timeline: Ongoing 

Outcome: Improved knowledge related to financial literacy concepts (initial)

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increased knowledge of family finance and/or resource management concepts.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration