Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Women make up nearly 40% of the agricultural producers in Kentucky. The number of ladies who own and operate farms and agribusinesses continues to increase each year. The importance of their contributions to a vibrant agricultural economy are tremendous. “Ladies in Ag” was an educational series designed to educate, empower, inspire, and connect ladies who are involved or interested in agriculture. It featured motivational stories presented by strong women who shared their experi
In today’s world, media outlets such as radio, podcast and, social media are one of the best ways to get information out into the public eye. With these media sources you can be creative and really accomplish your goals and reach many more people than traditional advertising methods. In Allen County we are lucky to have a local radio station that supports our efforts as extension professionals and the mission that we strive for. With the support of the local radio station and enthusia
Author: Matthew Futrell
“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.” -Brenda Schoepp. Since starting in 1985, Farm Day is long standing program in Christian County 4-H that is provided to all first-grade students in the Christian County Public School System, Private Schools, and Homeschool. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to have Farm Day for 2 years. Luckily this year we were able
Author: Linda McClanahan
The Mercer County Extension Office teamed up with Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill to enhance and expand their annual Harvest Fest event. The Mercer County Agriculture Advisory Council continuously identifies the need to educate the non farm public and youth about agriculture. Staff and agents from the Mercer County office took agriculture displays and games for festival attendees to play and learn more about agriculture. Games focused on various segments of the agriculture industry. In addition,
Author: Joanna Coles
Leadership development and professional improvement opportunities are extremely important to the success of Extension Agents. The KY Association of County Agricultural Agents (KACAA) provides avenues for agents to sharpen their skills and become “Better Together” through teamwork.The W7 and W8 agriculture and horticulture agents hosted the KACAA annual meeting on June 22-24, 2022, in Bowling Green. The planning committee has met monthly since the spring of 2021 to develop the confere
Author: Jay Stone
Agriculture Awareness ranks as a top priority for the Hopkins County Ag Advisory Council. Among the methods of reaching people, the use of social media rose to the top this year as a means of engaging both Ag and Non-Ag sectors of our population. A social media plan was developed and implemented by the Hopkins County Extension Agent for Agriculture. Social media has been identified as an important delivery method because you must engage people where they are. And most of the 98% of non-farmers a
Author: Kevin Lyons
Leadership development and professional improvement opportunities are extremely important to the success of Extension Agents. The KY Association of County Agricultural Agents (KACAA) provides avenues for agents to sharpen their skills and become “Better Together” through teamwork. Agents have not had a great deal of in-person trainings the past two years due to Covid restrictions.The W7 and W8 agriculture and horticulture agents hosted the KACAA annual meeting on June 22-24, 2022 in
Author: Robert Amburgey
The Bath County leadership continues to evaluate ways they can assist farmers in the community enhance profitability. Much discussion is being held on improvements to the extension facility to better meet some of these needs. Improvements include expansion of meeting facilities, equipment upgrades, more marketing infrastructure and diagnostic equipment. Due to budget constraints, many of the leaderships plans have been delayed, however, ag development council members along with
Author: Jason Phillips
Author: Leann Martin
Author: Gregg Rentfrow
The COVID-19 Pandemic saturated meat processing in Kentucky as well as the entire country. The Commonwealth's meat processors are experiencing extended waiting lists that are over 18 months. Some meat processors no longer will process deer in order to keep up with livestock processing demands. Our deer processing demonstrations and food safety after the hunt talks have been popular over the last five years, but the fall of 2021 and winter of 2022 saw more and more hunters a
Recently, a new owner purchased Loretto Meat Processing. The new owner's goals are to remodel the facility, re-establish USDA-FSIS inspection, and expand into a retail store front. I traveled to Loretto to work with the new owner on a new facility design to enhance food safety and humane animal handling, as well as how to organize the store front. Currently, they are working on a total facility remodel and plan to re-file for USDA inspection this fall.
The one positive from the COVID-19 pandemic is a renewed interest local food and meat availability. The limitations of red meat during the pandemic has caused a renewed interest in developing meat cutting skills. The 2022 Beef and Pork Processing Workshops were sold out; the Beef Workshop sold out in 90 minutes. Eight new beef processors and 15 new pork processors were trained on how to humanely harvest and fabricate beef and pork carcasses into retail cuts. In addition,
Several states have meat processor associations that promote and represent the industry within the state. Kentucky's original association disbanded in the mid 1980's due to lack of support. Recently, a group of dedicated meat processors came together with the goal of re-organizing to form the Kentucky Association of Meat Processors (KAMP). Prior, KAMP was only a concept. The leadership group with help from KCARD (Kentucky Center for Ag and Rural Development) recei
Author: Linda Hieneman
Testimony of a 4-H memberAs as 4-H cloverbud my focus was all about livestock and making sure my pig had the cutest names. I know that 5 year old self would be amazed and captivated by the person that 4-H has made me. One of my oldest 4-H memories is the very first speech I gave at around six years old. I was nervous and quiet, but I held up the pictures of all my pigs and learned to speak in front of people at a very young age. Transitioning into my junior levels of 4-H w
Supporting beginning farmers is a topic identified by stakeholders across Kentucky. The Covid-19 Pandemic shutdown allowed county agents to interact with new clients who wanted to begin farming for a variety of reasons. A committee of agriculture agents from the Mammoth Cave Area of Kentucky worked together to develop a 4 session program that would provide a sound foundation for clients that want to start a farming operation. The sessions were delivered via ZOOM; each session l
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Crittenden County Conservation District administered the first ever County Ag Investment Program (CAIP) for Crittenden County. Agriculture and Natural Resources agent Dee Heimgartner worked closely with program administrator, County Ag Development Board and producers to advertise and provide educational opportunities for this program. The CAIP was a 50% cost share for participating producers. Over $25,000 of agriculture development funds was invested back into Crittenden County with 23 producers
Author: Trent Adkins
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural
