On October 10, 2019 the Rockcastle County cooperative extension agriculture program collaborated with Rockcastle county conservation district and the USDA Soil conservation service for a fall field day at Barry Hursts farm.  

The program included a demonstration of a drone to survey plant health in pasture and hay fields, and use of video on the drone to survey all aspects of the farm.  This drone was purchased by the Wilderness Trail Agriculture agents association through a mini grant offered through Dr. Craig Woods office.  Infrared maps were shown demonstrating plant health in newly reseeded fields as well as pasture fields.  The drone was also demonstrated how it could be used to effectively check cattle and fences from a remote location.  

The local soil conservation district demonstrated the shared use equipment that was purchased through county ag development funds.  This included a seed drill that was shown how to calibrate for correct seeding rates, a head chute for working cattle, a pasture weed sprayer and a manure spreader.  

The USDA NRCS showcased on farm improvements of harvesting a spring that is now piped into a tire waterer.  They also talked about the reseeding project that included seeding novel endophyte fesuces, orchardgrass and clover.  All of these projects completed on the Hurst farm was funded through the Brushy Creek 319 watershed grant.  This is a special grant through USDA to improve conservation measures within this specific water shed.  This is an active grant that producers can apply for at this time.

A total of 34 participants were involved in the program, which included 8 youth.  Of these participants 11 were interested in having a drone survey conducted on their farm which will be completed next spring when production starts.  Many of the participants had utilized the shared use equipment prior to the field day.  However, the demonstration of calibration of the seed drill was well received and i feel that many will have better success using the equipment in the future. Two other producers farms were in the same watershed and can qualify for grant funding for the Brushy Creek water shed.  These producers are interesting in making similar on farm improvements that were showcased at the Hurst farm.