2013 CAIP to Begin in Carroll County

Applications will be available on Friday, December 6 for the 2013 Carroll County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) at the Carroll County Extension Office.

Applications must be picked up and returned to the Carroll County Extension Office between December 6 and December 20.  We cannot accept applications before or after those dates.  All applications must be into the Extension office by December 20 at 4:30 p.m.

A Farm Serial Number is required information for the application, and it is strongly recommended you contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at (502) 732-6931 to receive or confirm that number.  Only the FSA can provide your Farm Serial Number.

The CAIP is a cost-share program that originates from the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement and provides funding for the following agricultural categories:

Fall Composting

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(Clemson Univeristy Extension)

As the fall season progresses, leaves and other yard waste can pile up.  Composting is a practice that is beneficial to the environment and allows property owners to get ride of yard wastes in an effective manner.

Finished compost can be used for a variety of tasks:  improve soil structure in gardens and landscape beds, help soil hold nutrients, reduce erosion and water runoff, reduce weed problems as mulch, moderate soil temperatures, and conserve soil moisture.  Composting yard and kitchen wastes also reduces the volume of material going into landfills.

Weeds free of seed heads and residues, like vines and pruned limbs, make a good addition to a compost pile.  It is not necessary to remove grass clippings from the lawn if you follow proper lawn management practices; however, if you decide to compost grass clippings mix them with other materials like leaves or brush.

C.R.A.N.E. Takes Flight

C.R.A.N.E. on the Kentucky River

Over the past several months, a couple of the area Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agents and I have been planning a new Extension program that focuses more on our local natural resources.

We call this program "Conserving Resources through Agricultural and Natural Exploration," or C.R.A.N.E.

C.R.A.N.E. was developed to bring awareness and consideration to our natural resources by thinking outside of the classroom and learning about those resources through exploring our surroundings.

Kentucky Forest Facts

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry)

Kentucky has an abundance of trees--about 12.4 million forested acres.

In Eastern Kentucky, forests are full of dense stands of hardwoods.  In Western Kentucky, you are more likely to see a riparian forest along a winding river.  In Central Kentucky, stately bur oaks often populate urban landscapes.

In Carroll County, we have over 27,000 forested acres--that is 30.4 percent of the total county.

Regardless of the species or climate, forests help all of us breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water, and enjoy forest wildlife.  In addition, we also are able to utilize products from them every day.

A Sure Sign of Summer: Lightning Bugs

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Lightning Bug (R Bessin 2000, University of Kentucky)

Lightning bugs.  What adult doesn't have memories of chasing and catching these fascinating little insects?

When my brothers and I were little, we spent many hours chasing bug and bug, and placing them in a jar with holes punched in the lid.  Then, we would sit in a dark room and watch these glowing wonders.

Lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, do more than generate entertaining childhood memories--they also help control some pests in the garden.

Encountering Young Wildlife

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Fawn (Alabama Cooperative Extension)

Watching wildlife is a really fun and exciting activity.  It can be very enjoyable to watch wildlife in their natural state in our surroundings.  This time of year can be especially exciting because the young wild animals can be seen.

If we are outside, we may come across young wild animals that appear to be abandoned or orphaned.  The big question is what should we do about it?

First and foremost, do not bring the animal in your home for care.  This may be the worst thing you can do for these young animals.

2013 Carroll County Fair

IT'S COUNTY FAIR TIME!

The 2013 Carroll County Fair begins tomorrow, June 7 at the Carroll County Fairgrounds in Carrollton.

Over 130 4-H exhibits have already been judged, and will be in the Fair Exhibit Building for viewing tomorrow.  Stop by the Exhibit Building to see what 4-H projects will be going to the Kentucky State Fair this year!

Open exhibits will be accepted tomorrow, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Exhibit Building near the entrance to the Carroll County Fairgrounds.

Livestock and animal shows will be excellent this year.  4-H and FFA volunteers had worked incredibly hard to make our 4-H Livestock Barn a place of beauty.  If you're coming to the fair, be sure to walk down to the barns to look at all the shows we have going on.  Here's a schedule: