Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
- Crop Production: cover crops, cropping systems, crop rotation, nutrient management, organic fertilizers
- Education and Training: decision support system, extension, farmer to farmer, technical assistance, workshop
- Farm Business Management: business planning, farm succession
- Production Systems: organic agriculture, organic certification
Abstract:
Dr. Tim Woods is the new UK State Coordinator and Brett Wolff is the Kentucky Program Assistant. In addition to his leadership of the program, Dr. Woods brings expertise in marketing, agribusiness development, and local food systems. Brett continues to act as a networker for the program, identifying new opportunities for collaboration and new venues to share SSARE resources. In our proposed programming this year, we have decided to focus on supporting one specific program related to farm succession planning. We had previously considered a program like this but COVID necessitated a change of plans. Our specific target audience will be agriculture service providers including Extension Agents, non-Agent extension personnel, non-profit employees, governmental employees, and farmer leaders. While the bulk of programming costs associated with the Third Thursday Thing are included in the Kentucky State University proposal, we do provide support to their monthly workshops and the program assistant supports both programs.
Project objectives:
Note that the funds in Kentucky are split into Kentucky State University funds and University of Kentucky funds. The two programs work together, though each has slightly different but complementary goals. Third Thursday Thing is one of the premier sustainable agriculture training programs in the state. It serves producer leaders, extension and other ag outreach providers in the state by offering up-to-date, timely information on a variety of sustainable agriculture topics. It meets two of the most pressing needs in Kentucky sustainable agriculture: the need for regular, relevant, basic production and marketing information, and a place for agricultural professionals to seek professional development and connect with growers and other clientele.
The University of Kentucky’s program is this year focused on the farm transition component of land stewardship. This will be achieved through a professional development series aimed at agriculture outreach providers. We plan to draw national- level experts and regional experts together in a year-long series of presentations and trainings. This is based on feedback from our ag outreach community about the need for these kinds of trainings.
2022 Kentucky SARE MSP Revised Objectives:
- Continue to offer the basic science-based information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing.
- Supplement previous efforts with new subject matter training about farm succession and transition planning.
- Expanding professional capacity of agriculture professionals in supporting producers as they plan for the present and future of their farms.
- Support the further development of a community of women working in sustainable agriculture.