Pulaski County is the third largest county by area in Kentucky. It is third in cattle and calf production, third in forage production, and grain crops are growing in importance. Over 1700 individual farms are in Pulaski County and farm size is increasing.

Pulaski County has been with and without an ANR agent since late 2015. Producers still have issues and are still coming to the Extension office for help. The Pulaski County Agriculture Council still meets. The Phase I Council still must function. In that vein, trying to be responsive to those producers without an ANR agent has taken up quite a bit of time.

About 960 soil tests were completed by the Horticulture Agent. The 4-H Agent and Horticulture Agents were involved in the Summer Annual Forages Field Day held in August 2017. They also organized and taught a Living on a Few Acres program for 12 individuals. The program consisted of 6 night sessions.

Those agents assisted UK in organizing a Dicamba Training for grain producers to help them understand the rigorous record-keeping requirement and the high potential for dicamba to drift. About 50 producers attended and secured their official card.

On the same day as the dicamba training, agents assisted with a Pasture Weed Management program. UK’s Weed Extension Specialist presented the program. Eighteen producers attended.

The Horticulture Agent trained 38 farmers who needed the Private Pesticide Applicator Training. Otherwise, these 38 farmers would have had to go to other counties to be trained.

Agents also helped keep the Pulaski County Agriculture Council breakfast leadership group meeting monthly. Average attendance is about 20. The Horticulture Agent attended 5 of these.

Producers deserve help when they call the Pulaski County office. Even though we have been without an ANR Agent for some time, much time and effort has been spent trying to keep programs going to help our local farmers.