2016-2017 Model State Program Kentucky State University

Final report for SKY16-002

Project Type: PDP State Program
Funds awarded in 2016: $11,111.00
Projected End Date: 06/30/2018
Grant Recipient: Kentucky State University
Region: Southern
State: Kentucky
State Coordinator:
Dr. Marion Simon
Kentucky State University
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Project Information

Abstract:

Kentucky’s Model State Program is focusing on needs identified from our state SARE advisory council.
Recent investments in agent training have focused on sustainable communities, food processing, family finances and organic production. The training plan for 2016-17 will build on these training opportunities, and add a focus on organically produced feed corn. Kentucky State University continues to make the Third Thursday Program the focus of its SARE MSP funding. Third Thursdays have become an institution in Kentucky professional development educational programming. The broad range of topics (listed in a later section) ensure that agricultural professionals and producer leaders have training in the skills necessary on a diversified small farm. TTT also serves as a space for synergies in small farm education. Many conferences and educational meetings are planned around “Third Thursdays” including:

o the Annual Small, Limited-Resource/Minority Farmers Conference,
o the International Pawpaw Conference,
o the Regional SARE Goat Project’s Collaborator Conference,
o the SRRMEC Regional Conference on the “Risk-Assessed Business Planning for Small Producers”curriculum, and many others.

SSARE MSP funding allows KSU to carry on its tradition of serving minority and limited resource producers through its extension system. Training extension personnel, NRCS, other ag service providers, and producer leaders helps to amplify the message of SARE to this group.

Project Objectives:

Kentucky’s SARE PDP program objective is to build a broad base of interest and skills in agricultural sustainability among extension agents and other professionals in the state, equip them with the needed skills to assist farmers, marketers, and community leaders, and to facilitate a diverse range of collaborative projects. Building effective partnerships with NRCS, FSA, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is an additional objective. In 2016-17, we will work with our Advisory Committee to evaluate and revise our broad strategic plan, and to develop KYSARE LOGIC Model for the program as a whole.

Advisors

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  • Ken Andries (Educator and Researcher)
  • Andre Barbour
  • Mac Stone
  • Edwin Chavous (Educator)
  • Mark Ferguson (Educator)
  • Jeff Henderson (Educator)
  • Curt Judy (Educator)
  • Dana Lear
  • Lee Meyer (Educator and Researcher)
  • Janet Mullins (Educator and Researcher)
  • Gary Palmer (Educator)
  • Louie Rivers, Jr. (Educator)
  • Susan Schlosnagle
  • Tehran Jewell (Educator)
  • Ed Thompson
  • Paul Vincelli (Educator and Researcher)
  • Brett Wolff (Educator)
  • Martin Richards (Educator)

Education

Educational approach:

Kentucky State University continues to make the Third Thursday Program the focus of its SARE MSP funding. Third Thursdays have become an institution in Kentucky professional development educational programming. The broad range of topics (listed in a later section) ensure that agricultural professionals and producer leaders have training in the skills necessary on a diversified small farm. TTT also serves as a space for synergies in small farm education.

Education & Outreach Initiatives

New Agricultural Opportunities (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose Trainees to new agricultural opportunies.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

58 Participants learned about production of elderberry, risk management, and value added products.

Horticulture (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose Trainees to horticultural production techniques.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

79 Participants learned about fall-fruiting blackberries, growing pawpaws in Kentucky, Attracting beneficials to your garden, consumer preference for indigo series tomatoes, sorghum, cut flowers, and carnivorous plants.

Goats (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose trainees to techniques for raising and marketing goats.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

84 attendees learned about balancing goat rations, forage testing a herd, stock dogs, and hoof trimming and handling.

Small and Minority Farmer Conference & Agrability (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To present farmers with a wide variety of information in production, marketing, and quality of life.

Outcomes and impacts:

209 Attendees learned about a wide range of sustainability-related topics.

Grapes (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose trainees to viticultural techniques.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

52 Participants learned about retail sales, wine jelly sampling, building a vineyard or winery in Kentucky, Risk and Profit on a small farm, Writing a Grazing Plan.

Organics (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose trainees to organic methods.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

85 Participants learned about monitoring fruit flies, organic transition programs, organic blackberries and pawpaws at KSU, Organic Association of Kentucky, New Organic agroecology project, several farm tours.

Goats II (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose trainees to techniques for producing and marketing goats.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

107 attendees learned about business planning and record keeping for sheep and goats, grants and other funding for goat producers, shearing and healthcare of alpaca, fiber marketing, fencing and grazing for small ruminants.

USDA Programs (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose trainees to available resources and programs from USDA.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

63 Participants learned about Produce food safety programs, NRCS financial assistance, agrability, Ponds and solar livestock waterers, and cover crops. 

Horticulture II (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose trainees to production and marketing techniques for horticultural crops.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

61 Participants learned about grant programs, pawpaws, blackberries, monarch waystations, biological pest control, spotted wing drosophila trapping, urban agriculture and orchid propagation.

Pastured Poultry (Third Thursday Thing Workshop)
Objective:

To expose trainees to techniques for producing pastured poultry.

Description:
Outcomes and impacts:

90 Participants learned about backyard flocks, poultry nutrition, multi-species systems, budgeting for small scale layer and broiler production, predators and additional demonstrations.

Third Thursday Thing's 20th Anniversary Celebration
Objective:

To reflect on Third Thursday's past by demonstrating many of the topics it has covered over the years.

Description:

20th Anniversary Agenda

Afternoon programming centered on demonstrations of aquaculture, horticulture, livestock, and crop production. 

Outcomes and impacts:

417 Participants learned about the history of Third Thursday Thing and its relationship to SSARE. Additionally they learned about many pragmatic production and marketing topics. 

Educational & Outreach Activities

6 On-farm demonstrations
2 Webinars / talks / presentations
12 Workshop field days

Participation Summary:

100 Extension
20 NRCS
20 Researchers
20 Nonprofit
1,223 Farmers/ranchers

Learning Outcomes

1,000 Participants gained or increased knowledge, skills and/or attitudes about sustainable agriculture topics, practices, strategies, approaches

Project Outcomes

Additional Outcomes:

Many conferences and educational meetings are planned around “Third Thursdays” including:

    • the Annual Small, Limited-Resource/Minority Farmers Conference
    • the International Pawpaw Conference
    • the Regional SARE Goat Project’s Collaborator Conference
    • the SRRMEC Regional Conference on the “Risk-Assessed Business Planning for Small Producers”curriculum, and many others. 

SSARE MSP funding allows KSU to carry on its tradition of serving minority and limited resource producers through its extension system. Training extension personnel, NRCS, other ag service providers, and producer leaders helps to amplify the message of SARE to this group.

Face of SARE

Face of SARE:

SSARE MSP funding allows KSU to carry on its tradition of serving minority and limited resource producers through its extension system. Training extension personnel, NRCS, other ag service providers, and producer leaders helps to amplify the message of SARE to this group.

The program assistant is often the face of the KYSARE program, since half of his job is to support and implement the Model State Plan. He is actively involved in Kentucky State University’s “Third Thursday Thing” monthly sustainable ag field days and in the wide range of program activities.The core job of KY SARE’s Program Assistant is coordinating all of the SARE-promoted trainings. 

Because sustainable agriculture programs in Kentucky extend much beyond the SARE-supported programs, the program assistant actively participates in other activities. This includes attending extension and grower events where he simultaneously represents KYSAREHis engagement with these programs assists in expanding the visibility of the SARE Program.  The current Program Assistant has strong networking and leadership skills that help us build productive partnerships with FSA, KDA, and NRC

1,000 Farmers received information about SARE grant programs and information resources
200 Ag professionals received information about SARE grant programs and information resources
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.