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 lasting 1 hour long.  Sessions were developed to address questions that many beginning farmers have, and provide beginning farmers with information about resources that are available to them.  Sessions were designed to be delivered online, and the program will be developed into an online class that additional clients can take as they become interested in starting a farm. 

Sessions were a mixture of live online instruction and video clips.  Agents created a series of educational videos using multiple resource professionals:  USDA,  Farm Service Agency CED and NRCS District Conservationist, county soil conservation district technician, local banker, local insurance agent, and a vehicle enforcement officer from the KY State Police. Extension Professionals provided videos to cover TIN#s, pesticide use, farm taxation basics, basic equipment needs for a farm, and land use planning.  An agent presented information on enterprise selection using budgets from UK Ag. Economics. Marketing, presentation materials, and online background graphics were created to give a consistent look to “Farming 101” materials.

 44 people registered for the program.  Average attendance was 28.  Each session was evaluated using the qaultrics online survey platform.  96% of survey responses indicated an increase in knowledge of the information presented.  88% said they would use the information to make changes or improvements in their farm.  Participants provided a lot of feedback, here is a sample:  I will- create goals and execute them, be more involved with the extension office, secure tax exemption and verify my insurance coverage, and develop a business plan.  A six month follow up survey of participants is being developed and mentoring visits will take place during the spring of 2022.