Success StoryLoretto Motherhouse Farm Good Ideas Conservation Field Day



Loretto Motherhouse Farm Good Ideas Conservation Field Day

Author: Lee Moser

Planning Unit: Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

Outcome: Initial Outcome

UK Extension specialists partnered with Loretto Motherhouse Farm during summer of 2022 to host an in-person field day and create videos highlighting stewardship practices used on the farm. The Good Ideas Conservation Field Day was held at Motherhouse Farms in Nerinx, KY. The Motherhouse farm manager, Cody Rakes, serves on the farmer advisory board for a multi-state project focused on farmer engagement in watershed protection and conservation efforts. He has been a strong advocate for stewardship in production agriculture and serves as a role model for other farmers. The field day focused on taking a closer look at how the Loretto Motherhouse Farm manages crops and cattle with a focus on soil and water stewardship. Topics covered during the field day included an overview of nutrient pollution in the Mississippi River basin and Gulf of Mexico hypoxia, intensive rotational grazing techniques, seeding cover crops with a combine-mounted air seeder, and cattle handling and housing facility improvements to manage manure and stormwater runoff. The field day also focused on introducing attendees to the One Good Idea web platform (https://goodideafarm.org/) that has been developed through a multi-state effort to share research-backed, farmer-produced videos sharing successes and challenges related to conservation practice implementation from across the country. Farmers also discussed cost-share options for conservation practices and partnership opportunities with agencies and organizations. Thirty-five farmers and land managers attended the field day. In addition, four videos were created and utilized on the One Good Idea platform. Video topics included manure management, winter feeding to protect soil resources, sustainable woodland management, and marketing beef with a sustainability mindset; impact of 936 views as of July 6, 2023.






Stories by Lee Moser


Wolf Run Watershed Residential Stormwater Demonstration and Outreach Program

about 3 years ago by Lee Moser

Over the past year our working group has partnered with the Friends of Wolf Run to develop a demonst... Read More


Developing a Statewide Kentucky Master Naturalist Organization and Partner Network

about 3 years ago by Lee Moser

The Kentucky Master Naturalist Program is an extension program with a curriculum designed to engage ... Read More


Stories by Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs


Extramural Funding for Beginning Farmers & Job Creation for Colleague

about 3 years ago by Ricky Yeargan

Senior Extension Associate led a team that submitted a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Prog... Read More


Ag Water Quality- collaboration with Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI)

about 3 years ago by Tammy Brewster-Barnes

In collaboration with Steve Evans and others at the KWRRI, two projects have been started to improve... Read More