Describe the Issue or Situation.

The Meade County Cattlemen's Association ask this ANR agent to help them plan a 3 day educational tour centered around beef cattle production.  After having a discussion with the educational trip committee, it was decided to travel south in November when most of the grain harvest was complete and just prior to breeding season for fall calving cow calf producers.  From other people experiences, 2 places a farm and a town, were the center of the tour.  All other tour sights would be within a few hours of these places.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

This ANR agent made several phone calls to Tennessee and Alabama Extension Service ANR agents to get advice and ask for experiences to help with the planning process.  With help from agents in neighboring states, a 3 day event with 9 different educational experiences was planned.  Forty three participants initially signed up to take the trip.  Participants visited and gained knowledge in small processing operations, registered and commercial cattle businesses, the show cattle business, Polaris UTV manufacturing, wine making, mineral and protein tubs and block manufacturing, as well as the benefit of certain breeds and different genetics in the southern states.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

Twenty three cattlemen members and 10 other landowners and teenagers participated in this educational tour.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

Eighty five percent of the participants indicated to this ANR agent that knowledge was gained from the tour.  Two of the cow calf operators are now looking into crossing their cows with the South Poll breed because of some of the genetic value it may offer to their cattle.  Several others are re-evaluating the way they feed protein tubs because of what they learned on the protein tub manufacturing plant visit.  All participants enjoyed the tour.  Mentally, some of them said it was what they needed.