Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
- Animal Production: animal protection and health, aquaculture, grazing management, grazing - multispecies, livestock breeding, parasite control, preventive practices, processing regulations, vaccines, winter forage
- Crop Production: agroforestry, beekeeping, conservation tillage, cover crops, crop rotation, food processing facilities/community kitchens, food product quality/safety, grafting, high tunnels or hoop houses, no-till, organic fertilizers, pollinator habitat, water management
- Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, mentoring, technical assistance, workshop, youth education
- Farm Business Management: agricultural finance, agritourism, farm-to-restaurant, farmers' markets/farm stands, financial management, marketing management, risk management, value added
- Production Systems: agroecosystems, aquaponics, hydroponics, integrated crop and livestock systems, organic agriculture
- Sustainable Communities: community development, community services, food hubs, local and regional food systems, quality of life, sustainability measures, urban agriculture
Proposal abstract:
Now in its 25th year, The Third Thursday Thing (Third Thursdays) features monthly sustainable agriculture training sessions. The sessions take place at the Kentucky State University Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm on the third Thursday of every month with no session in December. Agricultural professionals and farm leaders throughout the Commonwealth and surrounding states are the target audience for the trainings. These trainings are structured for multiple learning types, with lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities. KSU has also added a Fourth Wednesday program on sustainable beef cattle production and marketing based on requests from the agricultural community and are exploring the addition of a Women in Sustainable Agriculture Group. KSU is also including funds to support some of our KSU agents to seek professional development in sustainable agriculture in other venues. Third Thursdays have become an institution in Kentucky’s 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. Third Thursdays also serves as a space for synergies in small farm education. 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, and many others.
Project objectives from proposal:
2023 KSU 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.
- Kentucky’s SARE PDP Model State Program objectives are to build a broad base of interest and skills in agricultural sustainability among extension agents, other professionals, and farmers, particularly mentor farmers, in the state to equip them with the needed skills to assist farmers, marketers, and community leaders, and to facilitate a diverse range of collaborative projects.
- Continue to offer the basic science-based information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing.
- Support the further development of a community of women working in sustainable agriculture.
- Forums for underserved farmers and professionals to network with USDA, State, Research, Extension, NRCS, and other professionals, learn about their programs and opportunities, and learn about Third Thursdays.
SARE Third Thursday Thing Outline of workshops 2022 and 2023
2022 Third Thursday Thing Workshop Schedule
January: Natural Resources (Jody Thompson)
February: Organic Agriculture
March: Goat Production and Marketing
April: Farmers Markets (Joni Nelson)
May: Aquaculture
June: Juneteenth (Tiffany Bellfield, Community Farm Alliance
July: Sustainable Agriculture Small Farm Field Day
August: Environmental Impacts on Small Farmers (Cindy Rice)
September: National Pawpaw Third Thursday
October: Small Ruminants
November: Small, Limited-Resource, Minority Farmers Conference (many topics)
2023 Third Thursday Thing Workshop Schedule
January: Learn About USDA Farm & Home Loans and Natural Resources
February: Organic Agriculture
March: Small Ruminants & Goats
April: Weed & Insect Control & Beneficial Insects - & – NRCS Programs
May: Aquaculture
June: Farmers Markets and Juneteenth
July: Learn About Farm Fencing & Pasture
August: Sustainable & Organic Agriculture
September: National Pawpaw Third Thursday
October: Small Ruminants & Goats
November: Small, Limited-Resource, Minority Farmers Conference