Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Small Ruminants
Small ruminants, including sheep and goats, have an important place in livestock production. They can produce meat, milk, other products, as well as being used for woody plant control, livestock shows and more.The Small Ruminant Farmer could be considered an underserved audience. So much so, that the United States Department of Agriculture started the "Small Ruminant Farmer Initiative." Their purpose was to improve technical service and program participation in all USDA programs throug
Author: Donald Ely
The University of Kentucky partnered with Kentucky State University and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to develop the Small Ruminant Profit School (SRPS) for new and prospective producers.. Objectives were to develop an intensive educational program and a support system for these clientele by creating a network of mentors... Patterned after the ongoing University of Kentucky Eweprofit Schools, 30 hours of instruction in 5 sessions were provided each year for 3 consecutive yea
Author: Dee Heimgartner
According to the 2012 USDA Agriculture Census, Crittenden County has over 1,300 head of sheep and lambs ranking it seventh out of the 120 counties in Kentucky. While talking with several of these producers the Crittenden County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Dee Heimgartner realized that there wasn't a lot of educational opportunities for the small ruminant producers locally. To help get information to producers Heimgartner worked with Calloway County Agent Matt Chadwick t
Author: Ricky Arnett
In Green County, The small ruminant population is increasing at a rapid pace. With roughly one third of the farms are made up of less than 40 acres of land (USDA NASS). While this size of farm may not be very suitable for grain crops and cattle, farms of this size can support small livestock such as sheep and goat. Additionally, through improvements made in marketing options and market prices, sheep and goat are a viable option for many small farms and is more economical for most small farmers t
Author: Patrick Hardesty
In Taylor County, approximately 40% of the farms are made up of less than 50 acres of land (USDA NASS). While this size of farm may not be very suitable for grain crops and cattle, farms of this size can support small livestock such as sheep and goat. Additionally, through improvements made in marketing options and market prices, sheep and goat are a sustainably viable option for many small farms.In 2018, the Adair, Green, and Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated
Author: Nick Roy
In Adair County, roughly one third of the farms are made up of less than 50 acres of land (USDA NASS). While this size of farm may not be very suitable for grain crops and cattle, farms of this size can support small livestock such as sheep and goat. Additionally, through improvements made in marketing options and market prices, sheep and goat are a viable option for many small farms.In 2018, the Adair, Green, and Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated to offer the Center of Ke
Author: Laura Maggard
After receiving multiple requests for goat programming in the county, the Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent (ANR) organized a 3 part series for goat producers. Meat goat production in the United States is continually growing, production is an alternative form of livestock production for novice producers seeking learning opportunities to expand their knowledge base. Participants benefit from attending educational workshops by interacting with "seasoned" pr
Author: Jonathan Oakes
Russell County has always been a county of great agricultural diversity. In the past 10 years sheep and goat production has become a major part of that diversity. With an increase in the number of sheep and goats in the county, I felt that there is a need for more education on sheep and goat production. Small ruminants have always been part of the ag community, but with more people working away from the farm and having smaller acreage, sheep and goat production tends to be a mo
