The 2021 Kentucky Association of County Agriculture Agents (KACAA) was hosted by the District 1 agents which the Buffalo Trace County area is part of.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the decision was made to move the conference to a virtual format.  With the idea to keep the traditional layout of the conference the same the agents decided to continue with farm tours but to video agriculture producers in the district and host the tours virtually for the KACAA conference attendees to view during the conference.

The Buffalo Trace County Area consisting of Bracken, Fleming, Mason, Lewis, and Robertson Counties worked together to identify five farms in the area to highlight.  With assistance from Jeff Franklin, University of Kentucky videographer, the agents and farmers worked on recording the virtual tours.  The topics included:  Reproductive successes with the IRM program, winter housing using a compost bedded pack barn, tobacco barn cattle working facility, direct to consumer meat production and sales, and diversified farm enterprise which included garden to restaurant components.  

The videos have not only served the purpose of highlighting agriculture in our area at the KACAA Conference but have also been utilized as educational components.  Two of the videos have been uploaded to the educational video series on  the University of Kentucky Animal Science web page and one other video was shown on Ag Day, which is a national agriculture program.  The other videos have received considerable interest from agents across the state to be used in county programs or request for tours.  The videos have also been beneficial, for the farmers that recorded, as a marketing tool.  One farmer stated on his Facebook share of the video of his farm,  "Our Extension Agents do a great job keeping us informed about the latest best practices."   

By using the virtual format, more folks had the opportunity to see the great work our producers are doing and can learn from their experiences.