Agriculture & Natural Resources

Our program provides education, training and technical assistance to individuals and businesses concerned with profitable agriculture.

What Is Agriculture and Natural Resources?

Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) is a program area of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Extension ANR programs are part of the outreach program of the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture. We provide informal education in agricultural production and environmental stewardship.

Departmental specialists, researchers, and county agents develop and implement ANR programs. In addition to production agriculture, a small staff of Extension Associates provides focused assistance to state and county staff on interdisciplinary and critical-need programs. These programs may deal with the interface between production agriculture and environmental stewardship. Associates also address the relationship between farmers and non-farm rural and urban citizens. Our programs make a difference in the lives of millions of Kentuckians through research-based education.

Working with our other land grant partner, Kentucky State University, we extend the resources of the University to the people in their local communities. County agents serve as the link between people in every Kentucky county and experts in the universities. They coordinate and provide educational programs for the public through meetings and workshops, field days, personal communications, and web or satellite broadcasts. Agents also provide publications, newsletters, computer programs, videos, and other educational materials.

Agriculture Resources in Powell County

The Powell County Extension Service has soil bags and soil probes available for you to use when you take your soil sample. Stop by the Powell County Extension Service Office anytime Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm and pick up a probe and bags.

Click on the publications below for information on how to take a soil test and why testing is important.

Understanding the nutrient value of your hay can pay off!

Hay testing can provide information that can increase performance and/or save you money in your cow/calf operation. Contact Jason Vaughn, Powell County Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources, to have your hay tested. 663-6405

Private Applicator means a person certified to use Restricted Use pesticides for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him(her) or an employer, or to the lands of a farmer-neighbor, if applied without compensation other than trading or personal services between producers of agricultural commodities. Click here for the National Pesticide Applicator Certification core manual.

The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program’s mission is to maximize consumer confidence in and acceptance of beef by focusing the producer’s attention to daily production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness and quality of beef and beef products through the use of science, research and education initiatives.

Diagnosis of plant diseases is one of the many ways that the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and UK Cooperative Extension serve the citizens of Kentucky. Click here to learn how to submit a sample

In recent years several types of fresh produce have been implicated in illnesses. Ultimately some of these outbreaks were caused by cross contamination and are the result of how the produce was handled by the end user. Troubling however for the farming community is the fact that some of the outbreaks have been traced back to the farm where the produce commodity was grown. In light of this, consumers are looking more critically at their food source and wanting reassurance that they are being provided with safe fresh fruit and vegetables.

This is a great opportunity for youth that are involved in agriculture to start a new venture, improve an existing one or add some needed items for showing their animal.

The program is available for kids 9-18 years old and is a 50/50 cost share for eligible expenses.

Give us a call at 606-663-6404 for questions on the process. Click here for YAIP guidelines.

The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) offers 11 investment areas that provide Kentucky agricultural producers cost-share assistance on practices that increase net farm income and opportunities to try new/innovative technologies or systems that improve farm efficiency and productivity.

Application (coming July 17th)

Ag Diversification

AgTech & Leadership Development

Large Animal

Standard EPDs (updated 1/30/2023)

Small Animal

Farm Infrastructure

Fencing & On Farm Water

Forage & Grain

CAIP Forage Seedlist

Innovative Ag Systems

On Farm Energy