Success StoryRetired Military Couple are Beginning Farmers



Retired Military Couple are Beginning Farmers

Author: Dee Heimgartner

Planning Unit: Crittenden County CES

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Plan of Work: Increasing Knowledge in Agriculture, Home and Community Environment

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

A military couple bought some farm ground in Crittenden County for hunting purposes but had other plans for the property after retirement. They reached out to the ANR agent Dee Heimgartner for soil sampling. During a conversation the couple asked many questions about farming and were wanting to try a broad range of farm production from goats, chickens to produce. The couple stayed in contact with the agent while they were stationed in another state. Once they both retired they moved full time to Marion and proceeded with advancing their farming dreams to a reality. The couple has said the best advice that ANR Agent  Heimgartner gave them was to take it one step and enterprise at a time. The couple has fenced the property and is now in their second year of raising goats. They are continually utilizing the Extension Office for soil testing, hay testing and have attended several meetings on forage production and goat management, specifically parasite management in small ruminants. They are also raising a home garden with plans to expand and also possibly expand into other farming enterprises.






Stories by Dee Heimgartner


Water Conservation Education Efforts

Water Conservation Education Efforts

about 1 years ago by Dee Heimgartner

The City of Marion, KY faced a water crisis during the summer of 2022. The lake the city uses as a w... Read More


Rain Barrels

Rain Barrels

about 1 years ago by Dee Heimgartner

Rain water collection using rain barrels had been a question that ANR Agent Dee Heimgartner has fiel... Read More


Stories by Crittenden County CES


Opportunities to Lead

Opportunities to Lead

about 10 months ago by Leslea Barnes

The problem: Youth taking on leadership rolesThe educational program response: 4-H Leadership opport... Read More


Life Skills for LIfe

Life Skills for LIfe

about 10 months ago by Rebecca Woodall

In our small community, there is little to do for entertainment. For those who work or can drive to... Read More


Stories by Farm Management, Economics and Policy


MarketReady Buyer Tours

MarketReady Buyer Tours

about 10 months ago by Savannah Columbia

This year, the MarketReady program expandedits programming to include Buyer Tours.This will be the f... Read More


KY Ag Matters Podcast

KY Ag Matters Podcast

about 10 months ago by Vicki Shadrick

Over the past three years, we have all learned new ways to connect with people. Even during a global... Read More