Numerous phone calls and text among farmers and farm families helped to keep the days during the pandemic not so lonely for me as well as for the person on the other end of the communication.  It became apparent really soon that farmers were still to go about their daily lives as they were considered essential and they still needed the same services that the Extension office provide to the the county.  

Our office stepped up to the need.  We designed avenues for producers to the be able to pick up hay test probes, soil probes and bags, rental of equipment, soil and hay test results, disease sampling and so much more.  

Some examples of our above the call work for our community are; 

Hay testing is always important, but the Breckinridge County Extension District Board agreed to pay for each sample.   Producers began calling in as they finished baling and wrapping to get on the list to be tested, personal farm visits were made to gather the test and information.  Over 100 samples were sent in and recommendations were sought by producers to provide a ration for their livestock.  

 As the fields were harvested soil testing began.  Soil testing is one of the most important practices that a farmer can do plus the Breckinridge County Extension District Board funds soil testing throughout the county.  We, mainly Sue needs the recognition for processing over 2000 soil samples in a year.  During shutdown days, we made use of our office foyer for producers to drop off soil and we would process and call them back in a few days to pick up their results.     

Other services provided to local farmers are a No-till drill, in-line bale wrapper and a pasture sprayer.  The 2^nd no till drill finished its life with 3600 acres underneath it and the new (3^rd) drill started the fall out with 375 acres under it.  The in-line wrapper last year alone wrapper 1800 bales of high moisture hay.   The pasture sprayer was used on over 575 acres of pasture and hay ground, but farmers built or bought a sprayer of their own from a one-time use of the sprayer rented out by the Extension Service.

As crops came in farmers were pleasantly surprised with yields and with the increasing crop prices.   During Thank A Farmer week the FFA officer team gathered snacks and created a lunchbox for local farmers.  I took the FFA Officer Team to their top selections.  The Farmers were surprised they were chosen and enjoyed talking to the students.   Photos appeared on their social media sources and the local newspaper.   Future programs are planned with the FFA and local farmers.  The smiles on the farmers faces made the entire trip worthwhile.

Farmers needed some reassurance that we were all in this together, and sometimes that one call or text to how they were doing may have made their day.  Farmers made the comment that is was so good to talk to someone that asked them how their day was going and how was the family.