Farmers

Two Clark Countians will be entering livestock in the 2010 North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville next month. Gary Allen Taylor II of Mina Station Road and Ryan Crabtree of Log Lick Road will compete with their Charolais and Hereford cattle, respectively, according to a release from the organization. The exposition will be at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville Nov. 6-19. Purebred farms are invited to bring dairy cattle, dairy goats, Boer goats, beef cattle, quarter horses, draft horses, mules and donkeys, sheep, swine, and llamas and alpacas.

As the themes of soil conservation, clean water, reduced carbon emissions and other environmentally-friendly topics take center stage for the annual Earth Day celebration on April 22, it is important to note that Kentucky has a workforce 85,000-strong aiming for those same goals year-round — farmers. “Farmers have always been the primary caretakers of the land and they carry that responsibility with honor and pride,” said Kentucky Farm Bureau president Mark Haney. “In fact, I would make the argument that farmers were the world’s first environmentalists.” Kentucky’s farmers not only do a great deal to protect their land, they strive to make it better.

The Clark County Extension Office has received several calls from homeowners who are concerned about their daffodils. The abnormally warm winter weather has caused many spring-blooming bulbs to begin to break dormancy earlier than usual. There is not really any recommended treatment for this situation. Daffodils are quite resistant to frost. Covering them with mulch is likely to accelerate their growth, and increase the likelihood of long-term damage. As difficult as it is, the best course of action is to leave them alone.

As Kentuckians observe Earth Day 2013, it seems like the perfect occasion to assure consumers American farmers remain committed to preserving the environment for the next generation of food producers. They do this in many ways. Farmers are not scientists, but many possess expertise and insightful knowledge of the environment in which they work. They constantly observe the conditions of their natural resources. Farmers always are on guard to protect the soil and water critical to their livelihood.

Most Danville and Lancaster area farmers fared better than expected in 2012 and should have a very profitable 2013, according to Kentucky Agricultural Commissioner James Comer. “In this region of Kentucky, they suffered a mild drought but It wasn't anything like in western Kentucky,” he said. “The Paducah, Murray and Mayfield area suffered a severe drought and when it started raining in central Kentucky it still wasn't raining in western Kentucky.” But, despite weather challenges, 2012 was probably the most profitable year in history for all Kentucky tobacco farmers.

Stanford farmer Wendell Morris was selected as the next recipient of the $2,500 certificate for the “Idea of the Month” in Successful Farming magazine’s monthly feature. Morris was faced by the promising prospect of expanding his soybean acres. This meant hundreds more seed bags though – something he was not too keen on handling. “So I came up with the idea to convert one of our seldom-used gravity wagons into a seed tender wagon,” said Morris. With the addition of a 12-volt poppet valve and a hydraulic auger system, the unused wagon turned into a low-cost seed tender for a planter or drill that is able to carry seed for 130 acres of soybeans in one load.

Kentucky growers are gearing up for the largest farmers' market season ever, according to the state Department of Agriculture. A new farmers' market is planned for Casey County, and markets also will be open in Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer counties. "We're striving to have a farmers' market open this summer in one section of the Ag Center," said Arlen Sanders, executive director of the Liberty-Casey County Economic Development Authority. While plans are still in the making, Sanders said there will be an area close to the front of the Ag Center for anyone who wants to set up to sell farm products.

King Burley may not be ready to abdicate his central Kentucky throne just yet. County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources say despite the federal tobacco buyout program and with it, the end of price supports, many area farmers plan to keep raising the cash crop, taking their chances with a market-driven system. "For many people, despite the changes in the system, one of the best choices in terms of replacing quota-grown tobacco is free market tobacco," said Garrard County agent Mike Carter.

Dry weather conditions are known to raise the threat of forest fires and cause water conservation efforts, but they could mean a complete change in plans for area farmers. "If you run out of pasture, you have two options - get rid of your animals, or start to feed them hay," said Kennan Bishop, who's filling in at the Mercer County Extension Service until a new agricultural agent is hired. He says the scary part of the dryness is that older farmers have been through droughts before, but never this early.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for Berry Blast Saturday on May 25. Complimentary strawberry shortcake samples, made with local homegrown strawberries, will be offered to our patrons. Our local schools will be competing in a farmers market poster contest. Winners will be announced on that day as well. The Farmers Market now is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Stop in soon to see what's available. Note: Some vendors will be present only on Saturdays until their crops begin to come in. Here are some of the offerings you can find this week: Big Holler Farm, Kathy and Randy Williams: homegrown - green onions, radishes, lettuce; pork products - sausage, roasts, ribs and burgers; eggs Briar Knob, John and Monareia Wyatt: homemade sourdough breads - white, 100 percent whole wheat, wheatberry, cinnamon raisin, cranberry, French boulet rolls, butter biscuits (Saturdays only)

Shoppers will get a first taste of what the local farmers market has to offer this season at a special opening weekend event, Breakfast with the Farmer. According to Winchester-Clark County Farmers Market President Debbie Barnes, Breakfast with the Farmer will be an opportunity for consumers to meet with producers and learn more about where their food is coming from. They also will have a chance to make requests for certain fruits, vegetables or other homemade goods, and get to know farmers more personally.

The Winchester-Clark County Farmers Market will host a spring preview this weekend for community members to sample products and meet local growers. “We want people who are friends of the Farmers Market and people who have never been to the Farmers Market to come down and meet the farmers,” said Debbie Barnes, president of the Winchester-Clark County Farmers Market. This Saturday, local farmers will host “Breakfast with the Farmer” at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum at 10 a.m. Early spring products will be available, as well as a free breakfast of coffee and cinnamon rolls, made by Farmers Market member Molly Stotts.

Local farmers committed to preservation To the editor, As Kentuckians observe Earth Day 2013, this seems to be the perfect occasion to assure consumers that American farmers remain committed to preserving the environment for the next generation of food producers. And they do this in many ways. Farmers are not scientists, but many possess insightful knowledge and expertise of the environment in which they work. They constantly observe the conditions of their natural resources.

As Kentuckians observe Earth Day 2013, it seems like the perfect occasion to assure consumers American farmers remain committed to preserving the environment for the next generation of food producers. They do this in many ways. Farmers are not scientists, but many possess expertise and insightful knowledge of the environment in which they work. They constantly observe the conditions of their natural resources. Farmers always are on guard to protect the soil and water critical to their livelihood.

One of the signs that spring has arrived is when yellow buttercups begin to appear, but it's during the winter months that the vegetative growth of buttercup actually takes place. As a cool-season weed, this plant often flourishes in over-grazed pasture with poor stands of desirable forages. In fact, many fields that have dense buttercup populations are fields heavily grazed by animals during the fall through the early spring months. Buttercups are sometimes classified as short-lived perennials, but often grow as winter annuals.

The Boyle County outdoor Farmers Market opened last Saturday for the 2013 season. We couldn't have asked for better weather! It was so good to see the sunshine and smiling faces again. We are looking forward to a great season. As fruits and vegetables make their way from our farms and gardens, we will have the market tables filled to overflowing. Check this column every Wednesday for list of available items. Plans are in the works for several special events at the market this year.

The Boyle County outdoor Farmers Market opened Saturday for the 2013 season. We are open on Saturdays at the Boyle County Fairgrounds, only for the month of April. Beginning in May, our regular Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday hours will be in effect. Now the outdoor market is open, the indoor Boyle County Farmers' Market on Main Street is closed. Thanks to everyone who supported us throughout the winter months. We will have some new faces and new products at the market this year.

Only one more week before the outdoormarket opens for the 2013 season. April 6 is opening day. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again. We will have some new faces and new products at the market this year. Check this column every Wednesday for upcoming announcements and listings. The indoor Boyle County Farmers' Market will continue to operate until the outdoor market opens in the Spring. We are located in the Professional Building on Main Street (next to Hilliard and Lyons)