Spring 2018 Cooperative Extension Service Daviess County 4800A New Hartford Road Owensboro, KY 42303 270-685-8480 www.daviess.ca.uky.edu

A Message from Clint

“You know, farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

I’ve had the honor this winter of working with agents in the surrounding counties to conduct a leadership development program in which 15 early career farmers from Daviess and surrounding counties participated. Sessions included comments from local civic leaders, thoughts on multi-generation farm business relationships, and a look at how our personality affects relationships. Dr. David Kohl met with the group to discuss how the mega-forces will shape agriculture during the next 10 years. In February, we traveled as a group to Frankfort to gain experience in the state political process. The program finale was in March when we traveled to Washington D.C. to gain a perspective of how federal agriculture policy is developed. From Frankfort to Washington, policy is discussed which not only affects agriculture but rural communities. The goal for our travel was to allow participants to discover that elected decision makers are accessible and seek the input of production farmers for their information resources. The quote of Dwight D. Eisenhower was on my mind throughout the time in Frankfort and D.C. It puts the policy maker’s view of agriculture into perspective and indicates the importance of showing up to make agriculture’s concerns known.

Although young in their career, this leadership class of farmers, and many others I have the privilege to work with in Daviess County, are the next generation who will continue to work hard, support the community, and provide leadership as

their parents and grandparents have. Daviess County is known across the state as the place where great things in agriculture occur and it is because farms work together. Several farm leaders have passed in recent years whose contributions to local agriculture were recognized across the state. Ed Tabor and his work in helping create the Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, which is acknowledged by the Governor’s Office of Ag Policy

as the model all Kentucky Agriculture Development Funds administrators should replicate. Billy Joe Miles, a state and local agricultural and civic leader who not only pushed individuals to strive for excellence in all endeavors, but also organizations such as the University of Kentucky and our local hospital. Tom

Curtsinger and his legacy of agricultural education and research conducted through the Cooperative Extension Service. While there are countless others to include in the group of agricultural people who led the community to a higher level of accountability, I’ll close with Rick Kamuf. Rick was a civic and agricultural leader who was always community minded and unselfish in an attitude of helping others. He did not wait for opportunities to be involved or support a person in need; he sought them. He set a remarkable example for all of us.

To honor Rick, and continue his passion of caring for others, a “Be like Rick” charitable foundation has been created to provide support to those in need in our community. Everyone is invited to an event April 28, 6:00 p.m. at Big Independent Warehouse. Dinner and entertainment will be provided. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered by calling (270) 929-4643.

The Daviess County Agricultural Development Council met May 26 and approved a portion of the 2018 master settlement agreement appropriations for Daviess County. The council committed $70,000 for the Green River Beef Improvement Group to administer the County Agriculture Investment Program, eligible for Daviess County farmers and

landowners who have attended an agricultural educational program this year. The signup will begin in early August and conclude November 30. The council permitted $20,000 to the Daviess County Youth Agricultural Incentives Program, also administered by the Green River Area Beef Improvement Group. Grain Day Inc. was approved for $5,000 to assist with facilitation of Ag Expo. The council appropriated $7,500 to Mary Carrico Memorial School for a greenhouse project. Lastly, $25,000 was dedicated to Whitehouse Lodge LLC for White Chateau at Cecil Farms. Approximately $26,000 remains uncommitted at this time.

Continuing the recognition of outstanding leadership in Daviess County, as referenced on page one, sincere appreciation is extended to outgoing council members—from left to right above, Matthew Settles, Jim Gilles III, Leigh Ann Kuegel, Joel Mattingly, and Jason Hagan whose three-year terms will end June 30. New members on the council beginning July 1 are Ryan Trunnell representing Cooperative Extension, Katie Cecil representing Farm Service Agency, Aaron Walker and Jess Settles representing early career farmers, and Jordan Seaton serving as the member at large representing agricultural business. Other current council members include Logan Beyke, Mark Irby, Tommy Duncan, and Tony Ebelhar.

The Research and Education Center at Princeton held a groundbreaking ceremony in March to kick-off it’s renovation and expansion.

In 2016, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board awarded UK a grant of $15 million toward the $30 million project. UK must match the $15 million grant over the next five years.

As of December 31, 2017, the UK College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment reported that a total of $7,294,250 in gifts and research expenditures has already been realized, allowing the center’s construction to take place.

Daviess County, in partnership with the KY Division of Waste Management, is sponsoring a waste tire collection event.

This is an opportunity to properly dispose of unwanted tires for the purpose of recycling. Any Kentucky resident is eligible to participate. Tires will be accepted free of charge June 14-16 at State Hwy Garage, 2973 Fairview Drive in Owensboro. Drop off times are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm Thursday and Friday, and 7:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday. Tire Retailers, Scrap Dealers, Salvage Yards, and Recycle businesses are not eligible to participate in this program.

Tires Accepted: Tires on and off rim, including farm implement, bicycle, motorcycle, go-cart, ATV, tractor, truck, and passenger.

Tires Not Accepted: Off road construction tires (OTR), tracks, sheet rubber, solid, calcium or otherwise filled, or any tire with a bead greater than 1 3/4 inches.

For more information about this program, call Mike Hamilton, Solid Waste Coordinator with the Daviess County Landfill at 270-229-4484.

DAVIESS COUNTY WASTE TIRE

COLLECTION EVENT

GRAIN AND FORAGE

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

Spring 2018 Page 2

KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND UPDATE

Spring 2018 Page 3

The alfalfa weevil can be a serious pest on the first cutting and fields should be examined to determine if damaging levels of this insect are present. The small legless grubs first feed in the tips, then move down the plant to chew on expanded leaves. Application of an insecticide can be justified if tip feeding is present on 25% to 50% of the stems and two or more live weevil larvae are present. Be careful when using tip damage to assess fields, as it is easy to be drawn to hot spots or to selectively pick damaged tips.

Early harvest is a control option. If flower buds are present on 30% or more of the stems, hay quality should be good and many of the weevil larvae will perish. Survival can be good under windrows where the weevil grubs are protected from drying out and can feed on protected hay. Fields cut to control weevils should be checked 7 to 10 days after harvest to see if new growth is developing and not being chewed off by larvae or newly emerging adults. This injury can be ended using a stubble spray.

Weevil larvae feed for about three weeks but egg hatch occurs over an extended period of time, meaning the “weevil season” can last for four to five weeks. Mature weevils will spin a loose white cocoon at the top of the plant and an adult will emerge about 10 days later. Adults will feed for a time before leaving the field to hide for the summer. They will return in the fall.

Mark your calendar for Beef Bash at the Princeton Research and Education Center on September 20, 2018. Dr. Roy Burris, Extension Beef Nutrition

Specialist at Princeton is retiring this fall and this Beef Bash will honor his vast accomplishments. More information will come in my summer newsletter.

Mary Higginbotham, former Daviess County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Science Education, has accepted a position as an Area Extension Agent for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education. She will serve as an advisor and program resource for all SNAP-Ed program assistants in the Green River and Mammoth Cave Area Counties. We wish Mary much success in this endeavor. Status for filling the FCS agent position is pending, but expectation is to have an agent hired by the end of the year.

Make plans to recycle agricultural chemical jugs with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Rinse and Return program this year. The farmer delivery date is set for August 9, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at The Daviess County Landfill on Hwy 815 south of West Louisville. All jugs must be rinsed with lids and label information removed.

Meet Shannon Hines Kuegel... I was born and raised in Ohio County, but have lived in Daviess County for most of my adult life. I have two kids, Logan (17) and Jenna (14).

One reason I was interested in this job, is I wanted to be part of the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service. I am also aware of the strong need in our community for what Cooperative Extension has to offer.

So what do I do? I am a SNAP-Ed Assistant (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Assistant) for the University of Kentucky. What does that mean? I teach nutrition education to limited resource clients to help them become more knowledgeable, improve their skills, and hopefully encourage a positive change to their health and well-being. I work with local agencies, schools, community centers, and many other locations across Daviess County. There are currently two SNAP-Ed Assistants for Daviess County. We also complete food demonstrations along with our lessons to provide participants an opportunity to actually prepare a recipe from start to finish and taste their accomplishment!

For more information on the Nutrition Education Program please give us a call at 270-685-8480.

BEEF BASH

RINSE AND RETURN

ANIMAL SCIENCE

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM – EDUCATION UPDATE

ALFALFA WEEVIL

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES UPDATE

For more information please contact:

Clint Hardy

Daviess County Extension Agent

for Agriculture and Natural Resources Education

Email: chardy@uky.edu

April 14, 2018 Owensboro Regional Farmer’s Market Opening

1205 Triplett Street 8:00 am —12:00 pm

May 8, 2018 UK Wheat Field Day UK Research Station

1205 Hopkinsville Street Princeton, KY

June 8, 2018 Kick-off to a Healthy and Safe Summer

Friday After 5

July 18-21, 2018 Daviess County Lions Club Fair

6191 Hwy 54

July 24, 2018 UK Corn, Soybean, & Tobacco Field Day

UK Research Station 1205 Hopkinsville Street

Princeton, KY

August 17, 2018 Agriculture Appreciation Night

Friday After 5

A Rain Barrel Construction for Homeowners Workshop will be held Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Regional Water Resource Agency Shop, 2101 Grimes Avenue in Owensboro. The first class will be 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and repeated 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Participants will learn how to make a rain barrel, construct one to take home, and learn how to use and manage it. The registration fee is $20 to receive one rain barrel per household. Participants must complete the workshop to receive the barrel. Checks made payable to RWRA with class session noted must be mailed or hand delivered to the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service Office at 4800A New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303. Online registration is also available at eventbrite.com. You may search for the event, or use one of the following URL’s: 1:00 pm workshop: https://oboroafternoonworkshop.eventbrite.com 6:00 pm workshop: https://oboroeveningworkshop.eventbrite.com

4-H Camp is a highlight of the summer for every camper, teen, and adult volunteer involved! Registration for attending West Kentucky 4-H Camp on June 12-15 is on a first come, first serve basis. Camp is open to youth ages 9-15. The cost is $215 or $205 if paid in full by May 1. The fee includes meals, lodging, transportation, a t-shirt, and memories

you won’t soon forget! As always, we are looking for adults and teens to serve as volunteers at Camp. If you are interested, please contact the Extension Office! PARENTS: please note that we can only

accept the number of campers we have adults to supervise! Please consider serving as a camp volunteer to ensure we can take as many youth as want to attend. If you can’t attend, maybe you know someone who can! Why delay? Sign up today!

Interested but your kids are only 5-8 years old? No problem! Cloverbud Camp is for youth ages 5-8 and will be June 1-3 at West Kentucky 4-H Camp. The cost is $120 per person for participants and chaperones. All Cloverbuds must have a chaperone. This gives our future 4-H’ers the chance to experience Camp with the comfort of a parent present. Registration and fees are due to the Extension Office May 1.

Spring 2018 Page 4

HORTICULTURE UPDATE

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

If you would rather receive Cooperative Extension newsletters, flyers, and other correspondence by

e-mail, let us know by e-mailing robyn.edgell@uky.edu or

chardy@uky.edu