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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success Story2025 Winter Ag Conference



2025 Winter Ag Conference

Author: John Tucker

Planning Unit: Hickman County CES

Major Program: Grains

Plan of Work: Creating agricultural knowledge and improving agricultural and environmental practices in Hickman County

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Hickman County, Kentucky, boasts over 47,000 acres of soybeans and 35,000 acres of corn, contributing to over $66 million in grain sales, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Since 2010, local County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents has collaborated with colleagues from surrounding counties—including Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Graves, McCracken, Calloway, and Marshall—along with three adult agricultural educators from West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) to organize the annual Winter Agricultural Conference. This valuable event is held at Lowry Farms in Pilot Oak, Kentucky.

The focus of the 2025 conference was on canola production, a crop that has gained significant interest in the region. With a new oilseed processing plant being developed by Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, canola production is projected to grow substantially over the next four years. The conference brought together 144 participants (115 male, 29 female), including farmers and sponsors, with the goal of equipping them with knowledge and resources to improve their operations.

The primary objectives of the conference are to enhance farm profitability, promote sustainable land and resource management, and familiarize attendees with emerging agricultural technologies. This event also offers a valuable opportunity for farmers to engage directly with subject-matter experts and learn from peers who have successfully implemented these practices on their own farms.

Survey results from the past three years indicate a strong impact, with 100% of attendees reporting they gained new knowledge from the conference. Furthermore, 89% of participants have indicated they plan to implement the information shared at the event on their own farms. When it comes to adopting new technologies, 89.2% expressed an intention to incorporate these innovations into their operations. Additionally, 93% of participants have stated they will utilize University of Kentucky recommendations for disease control in their farming practices.

The Winter Agricultural Conference continues to be a valuable educational resource, helping local farmers stay informed, enhance their productivity, and embrace best practices in agriculture.

(OpenAI, 2025)






Stories by John Tucker


2024 Managing Deer Damage in Crops and CWD Update

2024 Managing Deer Damage in Crops and CWD Update

about 3 months ago by John Tucker

Crop production accounts for 85% of the land use in the river counties of far Western Kentucky. Addi... Read More


2024 Missouri Beef Production Tour

2024 Missouri Beef Production Tour

about 6 months ago by John Tucker

In Hickman County, cattle and calves accounted for 464 ($1,000) in sales according to the 2022 Censu... Read More


Stories by Hickman County CES


2024 Managing Deer Damage in Crops and CWD Update

2024 Managing Deer Damage in Crops and CWD Update

about 3 months ago by John Tucker

Crop production accounts for 85% of the land use in the river counties of far Western Kentucky. Addi... Read More


Rescheduled 4-H Camp

Rescheduled 4-H Camp

about 5 months ago by Melissa Goodman

On May 26, 2024, the West KY storms left West KY 4-H Camp with damage and no power. Our camping grou... Read More


Stories by Grains


2025 Winter Ag Conference

2025 Winter Ag Conference

yesterday by John Tucker

Hickman County, Kentucky, boasts over 47,000 acres of soybeans and 35,000 acres of corn, contributin... Read More


2025 Purchase Area Winter Ag Conference: Canola

yesterday by Miranda Rudolph

Purchase Area Winter Ag ConferenceThe Purchase Area is the westernmost region in the Commonwealth of... Read More