Hay and pasture production is a leading component of agriculture production in Elliott County. According to the 2016 United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Statistics Service data indicated over 20,000 tons of hay are harvested on approximately 9,000 acres of farmland in the county. Extension agents in Carter, Elliott and Rowan counties adapted an educational program on hay production initiated by ANR agents in western Kentucky to meet the needs of farmers in eastern Kentucky. The series was conducted on April 4^th, 10^th and 17^th online through a program known as SKYPE and each county was a host sight. The program was delivered by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Specialist that included Drs. Chris Teutsh, J.D. Green and Edwin Ritchey. Dr. Edwin Ritchey presented information on soil sampling and fertilization methods for hay production, Dr. J.D. Green presented information on weed control for quality hay production and Dr. Chris Teutsh presented information on warm season forage options for Eastern Kentucky. Over 80 people attended the meetings, representing 1500 acres of hay or pasture land. As a result of the program 100 percent of participants reported increased knowledge of warm season forages and realized the value of soil testing.  95 percent reported being more prepared to effectively control weeds in hay and pasture land. 100 percent of participants surveyed reported better understanding why we take soil tests and how to take a soil sample. All participants who attended all three sessions received two free soil test.

To follow up with the Hay School offered in April, Elliott County ANR agent (Keith Center) signed up to participate in the 2017 East Kentucky Hay Contest. This was the first year Elliott County had ever participated in the contest! Hay samples were collected by ANR agent (Keith Center) and members from the Elliott County Ag Council (Jimmy K Rice and John Whitley) from August 29^th-31^st and September 5^th-8^th. Producers had the option to submit samples in the following categories: Alfalfa, mixed hay, grass hay, summer annual hay, mixed silage, grass silage, small grain silage and summer annual silage. 15 producers in Elliott County submitted 27 samples in the mixed hay or grass hay categories as a result from what they had learned in the Hay School. Grass hay was defined as grass than contained less than 10 percent legumes where, as mixed hay was defined as grass that contained between 10 and 80 percent clover.  Samples were hand delivered by ANR agent (Keith Center) to the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability (RCARS) in Jackson, Kentucky on September 12^th, 2017 to be analyzed by Dr. Tom Keene, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Agronomy Specialist in Plant and Soil Science.

417 samples were submitted from 12 counties for the 2017 East Kentucky Hay Contest, which resembled the largest amount of samples ever submitted in the contests history! Elliott County had three producers place in the top 10 in the mixed grass division and one producer place in the top ten in the grass hay division. On October 28^th the East Kentucky Hay Contest Results were revealed to all producers from Elliott County who participated in the contest at the Elliott County Cooperative Extension Service Field Day so they could be recognized for their accomplishments!