The Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents from Fulton, Hickman, and Carlisle Counties talked for several years of developing a program for the producers in their counties that were beginning their own operations or working into becoming the decision-makers of the family operations.

Existing programs like Ky FarmStart or Next Generation Farmer were programs that had some of the topics these producers needed, but did not fit into large grain only operations or grain/contract livestock operations such as chickens or hogs.  The agents were looking at a program that would help with leadership, agronomy, technology, business decisions, and transitioning the operation to the next generation.

It wasn’t till the summer of 2018, when the Hickman-Fulton County Young Farmer Agent through West Kentucky Career and Technical School stepped down from their position that really set the ball rolling for this program.  That summer the agents decided they needed to come up with a plan to get these primarily younger farmers engaged with a network of professionals, Extension based and industry based to help insure the future of farming operations in their respected counties.

This program was designed to encompass management of an entire farming operation. The Early Career Farming Program began December 2018 and met nearly every month until December 2019, rotating between the three facilitating counties. This program was limited to fifteen producers, as we wanted to maintain a small group for a more relaxed learning environment. 

Producers were asked to pay a $100 registration fee for the program, and that fee covered all sessions, as well as the Frankfort trip to attend the House of Representatives Agricultural Committee Hearing. This program was funded by local sponsorships, however, River Valley Ag Credit was the presenting sponsor for the program.

Beginning December 2018, the group met and discussed Insurance (Crop/Liability/P&C) and Estate Planning. Topics were presented by local insurance agents with KY Farm Bureau, Ohio Valley Insurance, as well as a local attorney. In January 2019, the program topic for the month was Credit, Taxes, and Programs. Topics were presented by the University of Kentucky Farm Analysis Group, Wade Farm Financial, and River Valley. February 2019 topics were Marketing and Crop Budgets presented by Commodity Marketing Services and Greg Halich with the University of Kentucky. The group also toured the Green Plains Ethanol Plant in Obion, TN following the presentations. March 2019 brought the topics of Soil, Water and Fertilizer. Dr. Edwin Ritchey, Dr. Josh McGrath, with the University of Kentucky, Dr. Glenn Beck with Kentucky Geological Survey and Jerry McIntosh with NRCS presented.

The group will meet again July 16^th for Crops and Agronomy topic where they will tour a weed plot and speak with UK crop specialist, and on July 23^rd for the Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field day in Princeton. August 12^th, the group will meet to cover Agricultural Technology. November, the group will travel to Frankfort to meet with the Agricultural Committee. Lastly, the Early Career Farming Program participants will meet on December 13^th to meet with local government, county attorneys, PVA, and other constituents to converse on the importance of agriculture in each county.

Each session is wrapped up by participants filling out an exit survey. These surveys will be compiled and data will be presented at the conclusion of the program.