Grayson County is home to over 1400 farms made of over 200,000 acres total (6^th in KY), and the average age of the operator is 58 years old. This statistic is one that is not old, but it still has effects on farming in Grayson County. In the last two years, there have been several transitions of farming operators due to death, farm transition, and other related factors. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent as well as the USDA Farm Production and Conservation Office had noticed an influx of clients coming in needing information and wondering “where to start” or “where to go from here.” In fact, the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent had 4 widowers in the office in 2017 alone. Therefore the three groups, as well as some local businesses gathered to host a Farm Women’s Outreach program at the Grayson County Cooperative Extension Service on April 25, 2018. The goal was to highlight what USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Soil Conservation, and Cooperative Extension programs offer to 38 clients who participated in the event. The group targeted farmers in the system who had farm numbers. USDA printed each of their farm maps, a list of resources, and contact information. They were able to learn about crop reporting, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Livestock Indemnity Programs (LIP), how to read their farm map, and local soil conservation cost share programs by USDA. The agriculture and natural resource agent educated about local Agriculture and Natural Resource programs, the relationship with UK and Grayson County Extension and other area extension programs. They learned simple but important facts like where to take soil, pest, weeds, and other items to be diagnosed. They also learned about extension volunteer programs.

This program offered a resource to those individuals who may have questions, but were maybe afraid to ask. One participant said “I always knew he would come down here to do business, but I never knew why!” It was also a great environment for those farm women to network and discuss what they were doing on their operations. Between the three organizations, we have had 15 come in to get further information, just from the program alone. Others have asked when it will be offered again.

The goal moving forward is to utilize this group of farm women to increase their education in farm management practices, through getting them involved with a family farm managing, and potentially transition planning type programs. The Agriculture and Natural Resources agent plans to focus some basic production agriculture education to those who are interested as well.