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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 StorySmall Scale Poultry Production for Profit Programs Offered



Small Scale Poultry Production for Profit Programs Offered

Author: William Crawford

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Poultry/Small Flocks

Plan of Work: Agricultural Diversification and Marketing

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Small scale farms and homesteads in Kentucky face challenges of economy to scale when compared to large corporate supported operations. No industry is more evident of this disparity than the production of poultry. With over 1.8 billion dollars worth of meat from chicken and turkeys combined with eggs produced in the Commonwealth, they comprise the state's number one agricultural cash crop. Vertically integrated by design, every input is selected for efficiency and affordability. Recent initiatives for a more natural food sourcing option, especially when meat and animal protein items are concerned, has opening the door for niche markets of small scale production. Further, avian bird flu outbreaks and egg shortages further increased interest by homesteaders and small scale farmers looking to diversify their portfolio.

Having gained a reputation as a specializing in poultry production practices, invitations to present at Cooperative Extension workshops and conferences continue to increase. During fiscal year 2024, these included the Kentucky State University Statewide Small Farms Conference in Franklin County in November, the Small Farms Workshop single day event in Breckinridge County in April and the KSU Small Farm Conference East Kentucky Style in Whitley County also in April. This is in addition to the FY 2023 programs at a Grayson County Small Farm Workshop, Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum and another program at the Small Farm East Kentucky conference.

In fiscal year 2025, nearly 60interested parties attended the conference and workshop sessions. The target audience was homesteaders looking to supplement their own food stores and small scale producers wishing to expand cash crop offerings to their clientele. Programs focus on three forms of potential revenue streams; egg sales, meat sales and the sale of live birds. Nutritional needs, facility requirements, marketing strategies and product handling are but a few of the topics included. Conference coordinators usually have surveys they ask participants to complete in order to provide evaluation data.


Describe the Issue or Situation.


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


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


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.






Stories by William Crawford


Aquaponics Demonstration Reaches 4000 Students Utilizing a Train the Trainer Model at Two Sites

Aquaponics Demonstration Reaches 4000 Students Utilizing a Train the Trainer Model at Two Sites

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Extension has adapted to todays financial realities through a number of strategies, including increa... Read More


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about 9 months ago by William Crawford

Homesteading has been increasing in popularity since 2020. According to data from the Homesteaders o... Read More


Stories by Hardin County CES


CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Imagination Science Discovery Field Trip for Youth in Hardin County-Sept. 2024

CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Imagination Science Discovery Field Trip for Youth in Hardin County-Sept. 2024

about 5 months ago by Chandra DeRamus

Title:CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Field Trip for Youth in Hardin Co... Read More


Aquaponics Demonstration Reaches 4000 Students Utilizing a Train the Trainer Model at Two Sites

Aquaponics Demonstration Reaches 4000 Students Utilizing a Train the Trainer Model at Two Sites

about 5 months ago by William Crawford

Extension has adapted to todays financial realities through a number of strategies, including increa... Read More


Stories by Poultry/Small Flocks


Meat Bird Processing Workshop Supports Homesteading Movement

Meat Bird Processing Workshop Supports Homesteading Movement

about 9 months ago by William Crawford

Homesteading has been increasing in popularity since 2020. According to data from the Homesteaders o... Read More


Hot Weather Management in Poultry Houses

about 6 hours ago by Gregory Comer

Ohio Co. ranks 4th in poultry and egg production in Kentucky, contributing over $93 million dollars ... Read More