Early Career Farming Program

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.

During the summer of 2018, extensive planning began on a 9-session program over a 12 month period. Each session had a theme based on the topics covered.  The topics included: Insurance, Liability, Soils, Soil Testing, Irrigation Water, Marketing including a tour of the Ethanol Plant in Obion, TN, Business Recordkeeping, Taxes, Lending, Weed Control (Palmer Amaranth Field Day), Technology, State Government, and Local Government.  After mapping out the topics for the sessions, the agents began discussing cost and sponsorships for the program.  After talking with River Valley Ag Credit, they committed to fund the majority of the program with the assistance from the producers participating along with supplements from the agents’ program support, and various sponsors for small expenses specific to the session topic.

After working out most of the details, the agent began advertising the series and talking to some of the key producers for whom the program was targeted at. Agents had set a goal of 10 producers to guarantee the program.  At the kick-off session we had 10 producers signed up for the event, but shortly after that session 5 additional producers signed up for the program.   Also during these sessions several members from River Valley Ag Credit attended the programs and gained knowledge to help their members, but also promote Extension programming.  

Although we are still currently in the middle of our program, we have had numerous positive outcomes shared from our producers, speakers, and sponsors.  Every operation represented in the program has made positive changes in the areas of: Liability and Insurance, Marketing.  As we continue to move through the program and the year we foresee additional changes in the operations as field conditions allow for more work to be completed.

At the end of each session, the participants fill out a survey on the materials covered in that session, and what changes they have made or will make.  Those surveys are being compiled and will be used for adjusting future sessions, future Early Career Farming Program, and additional Extension programs.

Although, we are only half way through the series this has been a very positive program for not only those involved, but is creating discussions with other operations in the area.