Three years ago, a Marshall County cattle farmer came into the Extension office seeking advice. He met with Nikki Rhein, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, to explore the reasons his pastures were underproductive and weedy. Nikki recommended starting with soil samples. The farmer indicated that he wasn't well and that testing would be out of the question. Despite the weather, Nikki volunteered to take the tests for him, and ever since that hot, humid day, the producer has been an enthusiastic supporter of Extension services.

It has been years since Nikki took those first samples. Since then, the producer has become a regular at the Extension Office. He contacts Nikki with regular questions, attends classes and continues to seek Extension's expertise. Nikki has had the opportunity to utilize the Extension system's wealth of resources in order to help him improve his operation. One example was when she brought the forage specialist to his farm to assist him in drafting a forage renovation plan.

UK Specialist, Chris Teutsch, Analyzing the Farmer's Pastures

Nikki convinced the farmer to start hay testing yearly, Nikki takes the test for him. She also organized a COVID-19 friendly zoom meeting with him and a UK Beef Specialist. The producer was smiling ear to ear under his mask as they worked together in order to fine tune his winter cattle feeding plan.  Producer Attending Covid-19 Friendly Zoom Meeting with UK Beef SpecialistSince this relationship has been built with this producer, the producer willingly volunteered to let the University conduct research on his pastures. He has also indicated that he is willing to host a regional forage field-day on his farm someday. UK Researcher Flying a Drone on John's Farm

What started as one small favor has evolved into a mutually beneficial relationship between the producer and the Extension Service.