Ballard County • 2019

Western KY Summer Forage Tour

On August 7, 2018, the West KY Forage Tour was hosted by Toby and Debbie Dulworth, of Dogwood Farms in Ballard County. Over 150 producers, from across western Kentucky, west Tennessee and southern Illinois, attended the tour with a spotlight on summer grazing. Warm season grazing demonstration plots were highlighted with everything from grazing soybeans to brown mid rib millet with many combinations evaluated.

There were demonstrations on fencing and moveable fencing, temporary watering solutions, Eastern Gamma Grass, sire selection for grazing and many others. Chris Teutch and Kevin Laurent from Princeton and Ray Smith from Lexington were presenters in the program along with industry representatives and both Toby and Debbie Dulworth. Many Extension agents from across west Kentucky were on hand to help as tour guides, handle registration and the set up for such a large meeting.

For More Information, Please Contact us at:

Ballard County Extension Office • (270)665-9118 • https://ballard.ca.uky.edu

P.O. Box 237, 110 Broadway, La Center, KY 42056

Although dry all summer, a rain shower interrupted the program and forced a shuffling of events and tours but at the end of the day everyone left with a better understanding of incorporating increased grazing into their own operation.

Ballard County/ UK Weed Science Palmer Field Day

On July 12, researchers from the UK Weed Science Group hosted a field day for Round Up Resistant Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp in Barlow KY. The location has been a research location for 4 years after the first discovery of PPO resistant pigweeds in the state of KY.

Over 50 farmers, industry reps, retail salesmen and commercial applicators attended the plot tour where they learned about pre-emergence herbicide options, post emergence options and the results of weed science research being conducted across the state. This year several graduate students presented the results of their current research projects.

The event was supported by the United Soybean Board and the Take Action on Herbicide Resistant Weed program. The Ky Soybean Board also supported many of the research activities presented.

Teen Leadership

The 95th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen

Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 10-13, 2019. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop

leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with the University of Kentucky to aid in college and career readiness of Kentucky 4-H’ers. The annual event attracted 704 individuals to the University of Kentucky; 557 youth and 147 adults from 98 Kentucky counties. The event was sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program, the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, and Farm Credit Mid-America.

Ballard County had seven delegates, one volunteer and one agent attend. Of those seven delegates, one serves on the State

Teen Council, one serves on the Performing Arts Troupe, two received their Silver Achievement Level recognition and one received their Bronze Achievement Level Recognition. Two youth participated in the Agriculture Major and want to start a livestock club and pursue livestock judging and showing. They are helping to recruit a leader to attend Livestock Leader Certification.

A Ballard County agent taught one of the leadership and diversity minors and the 4-Hers were very open and discussed issues related to the lesson with maturity and respect. They also provided transportation to The Central Kentucky Riding for Hope civic

Teen Conference Achievement Night

Weed Science Field Day

engagement opportunity and participated with the youth.

Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference provides a dynamic opportunity for youth to experience life on campus while gaining independence and giving them an opportunity to see themselves outside of their typical environment. 81% of youth surveyed reported that Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was their first experience staying overnight in a UK dormitory and this experience was the first visit to the University of Kentucky for 44% of youth. 100% of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference delegates attended a College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment campus tour and Ag Ambassadors presentation.

Leadership Ballard

The Ballard County 4-H Program prides itself in a strong Leadership Program with intentional leadership and civic engagement opportunities and study of government. For more than 20 years, over 400 Ballard County 4-Hers have been learning leadership life skills such as understanding self, communication, listening, managing resources, team building and more. They have learned about local (county and city) government from touring city halls, the courthouse and fiscal court offices. They have served as Pages in Frankfort with their Senator or Representative and toured the Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, Kentucky History Center, Vietnam Memorial and more.

Some of these youth have become leaders in Ballard County, serving on the Fair Board, Chamber of Commerce Board and other community capacities. Many are leaders in their field of study, businesses and careers.

This year we added “History of Ballard County” at the site of Fort Jefferson in Wickliffe presented by ANR Agent, Tom Miller; and a tour of the U.S. Customs Building and Historic Public Library in Cairo, IL, organized by ANR Agent. This 4-H/ANR partnership gave our 4-Hers a more in depth look at our county and how events here helped shape the overall settlement of Kentucky in its early years.

All of the activities contributed to their advancement in the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Recognition Program.

The youth who participated all reported learning new information that was interesting to them about their county, state and nation. All reported feeling like they had improved their team building and leadership skills. This year with a short legislative session, we only took eight to Frankfort and on the local tour. Next year we will have a larger delegation. These eight all received an in-depth county and state experience and national information.

Bomber Bash

Ballard County is 62% free and reduced lunches. With this high percentage, our annual Bomber Bash is a real need for our county. Bomber Bash is sponsored by Family Focus, our Family Resource and Youth Services Center. Many county organizations and businesses offer free school supplies, hygiene supplies, hair cuts and more. Ballard County Cooperative Extension offers SNAP-ED items for youth and families to encourage them to try healthy snacks and recipes. We give them pencils, food pyramid, Chop Chop magazine, back pack totes, recipes and more. In addition, we make a healthy snack that would be great to keep at home for after school. This year we made trail mix.

Youth love the snack and pencils. Adults love the recipes. We also have homemaker and 4-H volunteers help man the booth to greet people and hand out the goodies. This is a great connection to make with a mostly low income audience. This year we gave out 250 goody bags and even more recipes and pencils. We feel this program is very worthwhile.

Volunteer Leadership

Carol Coplen, Ballard County Master Food Volunteer, has been a 4-H leader and extension homemaker for nearly 40 years. She has taught food and nutrition classes at the club, county, area and district levels. She serves as a foods judge and food

demonstration judge as well. She has had an impact at the county and district level by teaching and recruiting volunteers. She has Mrs. Carol's Cooking Club in Ballard County

and has taught food related project days in preparation for the fair. In McCracken County, she recruited a restaurant family into the Master Foods Program and they have gone on to coach the award winning McCracken County Star Chef Team.

Carol is dedicated to extension and has served on the 4-H Council, Homemaker's Council, County Extension Council and State Extension Council. She is an awesome and empowered volunteer.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Muhammad Ali

10 Number of producers reporting changed or improved pasture management practices

45 Number of producers who successfully completed Kentucky Pesticide Applicator Training

95 Number of producers who communicated with neighbors around their farm about pesticide sensitive areas

100 Number of producers who improved spray application record keeping, including pasture signage

4200 Number of hours KEHA members volunteered in community service (non-extension) activities/events

896 Number of hours KEHA members volunteered for Extension, including 4-H

24 Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations

68 Number of parents that have gained awareness of the problem and impacts of substance abuse in the community as a result of extension efforts

75 Number of people that reported eating more healthy foods

39 Number of those reporting that their knowledge of leadership has been enhanced

205 Number of youth who indicate they are connected to caring adults who are interested in their success

Extension At a Glance

Mrs. Carol’s Cooking Class