This document summarizes a livestock and vegetable education program in Grainger County, Tennessee from 2005-2011 that used state cost-share grants. Over the period: - 383 local producers completed projects totaling $1,138,356 in funding from cost-share programs focused on topics like forage testing, hay management, and livestock handling. - Educational sessions certified 172 producers in beef management, 35 in meat goat/sheep production, and 250 in beef quality assurance. - As a result of new equipment funded by cost-share grants, many producers improved practices like storing more hay under cover, using hay feeding rings, and adopting season extension techniques for vegetables.

1. 8/2/2012
LIVESTOCK AND VEGETABLE EDUCATION USING STATE COST-SHARE GRANTS
Anthony Carver, Extension Agent – Adult Agriculture, bcarver4@utk.edu
The University of Tennessee Extension – Grainger County
Rutledge TN, 37861
Abstract
Knowledge and equipment play a significant role in the management of any farm. Producers need the expertise and adequate equipment to be successful
in growing yields and quality of any product. A needs assessment, conducted in 2005-2011 with agricultural producers in Grainger County, Tennessee,
indicated strong needs for beef management (hay quality, preconditioning calves, and safety) and vegetable education. Program topics included forage
testing, soil testing, greenhouse and field tomato production, equipment safety, livestock handling layout, hay management, and marketing. Since 2005,
each educational program has focused on the above topics and focused on available cost-share programs to accomplish the producer’s goals and make
him/her more competitive. A minimum of 20 individual or concurrent sessions were presented each year with an additional 10 days of cost-share program
education. Producers were provided with the tools to successfully gain knowledge and participate in cost-share programs for any size operation. There
were 172 producers certified in Master Beef Producer Program, 35 in Master Meat Goat and Sheep Producer Program and 250 in Beef Quality Assurance.
As a result of the education received, which qualified producers for the cost-share programs, 383 projects were funded gaining a total of $1,138,356 in
economic impact and benefit for Grainger County producers. Funds were used for new equipment and resources such as hay barns, hay rings, hay
Objectives
feeding wagons, grain bins, creep feeders, commodity sheds, greenhouses, plastic layers and more. The Extension Agent and topic area professional
speakers coordinated, designed and developed the producer programs.
The following objectives were
established for participants: Program Results
● Identify needs of the operation and
set goals to correct those needs. Total Program Evaluation
2005-2011
● Develop budget to purchase
$1,138,356 Received by Producers
equipment based on financial plan.
● Utilize cost-share programs to gain 383 Projects Funded
needed equipment for farm. 172 Master Beef Producers Certified
383
● Produce better yield and quality Projects 35 Master Meat Goat/Sheep Producers
products more efficiently with new Funded Certified
equipment. Totaling
250 Beef Quality Assurance Producers
$1,138,356 Certified
● Become certified in knowledge
areas gaining expertise to increase 2011 Impact
profits.
89 beef producers stored 16,900 large,
round bales under cover to increase
returns by $101,400
Educational Activities 79 beef producers utilized hay feeding
rings to feed 2,765 bales and improved
● Programs Developed & Delivered: feeding methods to reduce
● Master Beef Producer (concurrent wastage/spoilage, saving $13,825
sessions)
25 vegetable producers adopted a season
● Master Meat Goat/Sheep Producer extension practice: row covers, high
(concurrent sessions) Distribution of Total Grant $$ Equaling tunnels, greenhouses and/or colored
● Beef Quality Assurance $1,138,356 plastic mulches
● Vegetable School
7 producers received $32,135 for
● Meat Goat and Sheep Course Greenhouse greenhouses and/or plastic layers
● Beef Series (concurrent sessions) & Other 21% Livestock
Equipment
● Regional and County Field Days: Beef and 32% 65 producers received $196,447 for
Forage, Northeast Beef Expo, Cattle Hay Storage Livestock Equipment, Genetics, and Hay
Handling, Forage Field Day and Cattle Hay Storage Storage grants.
Hay Storage
26% Feed 26%
Working 101.
26% Storage
Genetics 15%
6%
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