Rockcastle County CES

Title:

Improve Crop Production and Management

MAP:

Promote Crop Procuction and Management

Agents Involved:

Tom Mills

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grain Crops

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Chemical Crop Management Tools

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farmer's Markets

Situation:

New and improved crop production practices are continually developing. Rockcastle Producers manage 30,000 acres pasture, 20,000 acres hay, 3,000 acres corn 2,500 acres soybeans,150 acres Tobacco along with Home & Commercial Vegetables.Producers need assistance placing practices in use to improve their production and marketing. Local tobacco, forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers assist in program identification and implantation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Tobacco, forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers utilize better management skills through current technology allowing for increased income and economic stability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Tobacco, forage, grain, horticulture and livestock producers will seek and implement new management marketing skills.

Initial Outcomes:

Agriculture producers will gain knowledge in current technology and implement practices as it relates to crop and horticulture production, including variety selection, disease management, fertility recommendations, storage, CAIP investments and marketing.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Tobacco and Grain producers utilize area producer meetings, variety trials, soil test, weed management and Extension farm visits.
Indicator: Number utilizing and measure impact.
Method: Survey producers to collect data.
Timeline: Spring through Fall (February-November)

Outcome: Forage producers utilize producer meetings, soil test, County Agriculture Investment Program and hay storage facilities.
Indicator: Number of producers attending meetings, number and results of soil test, participation in CAIP, number and amount hay stored in facilities.
Method: Number in meetings, participation in CAIP, plus analyze data from soil test and completion surveys.
Timeline: Year round

Outcome: Horticulture producers utilize producer meetings, variety selection, soils test, Farmers Market, WIC, and Senior Grants.
Indicator: Number of producers in market and amounts generated.
Method: Survey producers and collect data.
Timeline: March through October

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Tobacco and Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Area Tobacco and Grain Producers meeting, Production newsletters, Farm and office visits.
Content or Curriculum: Variety selection, disease management, fertility, harvesting and storage methods.
Inputs: Agent and Specialist work on meetings.
Date: February-November

Audience: Forage and Livestock producers
Project or Activity: Winter meetings, newsletters, spring and fall soil test, CAIP projects.
Content or Curriculum: Fertility management, variety selection, forage management, harvesting and storage methods.
Inputs: Agent and Specialist work on variety selection, harvesting, fertility recommendations, cost share for storage programs, Special Circular Material, and personal visits.
Date: Year round
Audience: Home and Commercial Horticulture Producers
Project or Activity: Horticulture Producers Annual planning and training meetings, farmers market participation, nutrition grant procurement.
Content or Curriculum: Production methods, fertility recommendations,variety selection, disease management,qualifying for nutrition grants and marketing.
Inputs: Agent, Dept. of Agriculture, Health Department and Senior Center Staff will work with Farmer Market Vendors.
Date: April-October