Success StoryCenter of KY Sheep & Goat Shortcourse



Center of KY Sheep & Goat Shortcourse

Author: Nick Roy

Planning Unit: Adair County CES

Major Program: Small Ruminants

Plan of Work: Strengthening Adair County's Agriculture Industry

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

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 Kentucky Sheep and Goat short course. The program consisted of three educational workshops focusing on management, nutrition, and marketing of sheep and goat. The program attracted 30 participants from the three county area. 90% of the participants already had sheep or goat however many of them were just getting started in the enterprise.

Participants gained knowledge through presentations by specialist from the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky State University. As a results, post evaluation surveys revealed that 63% of the participants improved their pastures by seeding improved forages suitable for sheep and goat production. 78% of the participants implemented practices relating to health and marketing which will result in higher priced received on sale day. 

Participants of the program expressed further interest in local Extension programming in Sheep and Goat. Additional program will be provided by the Cooperative Extension Service in the future to meet the needs of sheep and goat producers in Adair, Green, and Taylor Counties.






Stories by Nick Roy


Master Cattlewoman

about 6 years ago by Nick Roy

In Adair County, cattle operations make up 765 of the total 1243 farms. Overall, 8% of those farms a... Read More


Women in Ag Conference

about 6 years ago by Nick Roy

According to the 2012 Ag. Census, the Adair County agriculture industry produced over $53 million do... Read More


Stories by Adair County CES


Master Cattlewoman

about 6 years ago by Nick Roy

In Adair County, cattle operations make up 765 of the total 1243 farms. Overall, 8% of those farms a... Read More


Women in Ag Conference

about 6 years ago by Nick Roy

According to the 2012 Ag. Census, the Adair County agriculture industry produced over $53 million do... Read More


Stories by Small Ruminants


Small Ruminant Profitability Series

Small Ruminant Profitability Series

about 6 years ago by Nicole Rhein

Small ruminants, including sheep and goats, have an important place in livestock production. They ca... Read More


Small Ruminant Profit School/Ewe Profit Schools

about 6 years ago by Donald Ely

The University of Kentucky partnered with Kentucky State University and the Kentucky Department of A... Read More