Grayson County Extension Resource Guide: The Handbook for Agriculture and Natural Resources
The ultimate guide to agriculture and natural resources and contacts in Grayson County and Kentucky for new and seasoned individuals in agriculture and everyone in between.
The Cooperative Extension Service's Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) program offers a wealth of resources and educational opportunities for local farmers, horticulturalist, homeowners, and landowners. Through workshops, hands-on training, and expert consultations, the Cooperative Extension Service provides guidance on a wide range of topics, including crop and livestock management, sustainable farming practices, and soil health. Key resources include the Master Gardener Training program, the Pesticide Applicator Certification, livestock quality assurance certifications, and support for 4-H youth programs that emphasize agricultural education. Additionally, the ANR program offers soil testing services, plant disease diagnostics, forage and feed testing, pest management advice, and assistance with farm financial planning and record-keeping. By partnering with local agricultural organizations and research institutions, the Grayson County Cooperative Extension Service ensures that community members have access to the most up-to-date information and tools to help them succeed in their goals.
Contact:
Whitney Carman, Grayson County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Grayson County Cooperative Extension Office, 64 Quarry Road, Leitchfield, KY 42754
FSA provides disaster assistance, safety net, farm loan, and conservation programs and is the go-to agency for many USDA records. If you’re new to working with USDA, your FSA team member will help you register your farm with a farm number. Depending on what you raise or grow, filing an acreage report each season can ensure you’re eligible for many programs and allows you to vote in county FSA elections. Review their New Farmers Guide here.
FSA's Farm Loan Programs (FLP) can provide credit to agricultural producers who are unable to obtain private, commercial credit. FSA places special emphasis on providing loans to beginning, minority, and women farmers and ranchers.
Contact:
Robin Hughes, Grayson County Executive Director
Farm Service Agency, 119 Commerce Drive, Leitchfield, KY 42754
(270) 259-3716 | KYLeitchfi-FSA@usda.gov | local website | USDA website
NRCS provides financial and technical assistance and easement programs for conservation on working lands. Your NRCS team member will ask about your goals for your land and can help you develop a conservation plan and file an application for the wide range of NRCS programs.
Getting Started with NRCS: A Guide to NRCS Programs and Services | This guide will help you understand how NRCS can provide voluntary technical and potentially financial assistance as you prepare to work with us for the first time. We offer additional assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers, and can help you get started or grow your operation through a variety of programs and services. Your first step should be to contact your USDA Service Center and make an appointment. Be sure to ask what documents you’ll need. Also consider -- what is your vision for your land and farm? What are your challenges?
Programs highlighted in the guide include:
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns.
- Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) farmers, ranchers and forestland owners with the knowledge and tools they need to conserve, maintain and restore the natural resources on their lands and improve the health of their operations for the future.
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against increasing weather volatility.
Farmers.gov | A farmers.gov account gives producers one place to do business with USDA’s Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, including the ability to manage their conservation activities and request assistance. These features join several others already available through the farmers.gov authenticated site, including the ability to view farm loan information, farm records, maps and common land units. As more content and capabilities are added, farmers. gov is quickly becoming the online hub for USDA customers to find resources, submit applications and assistance requests, and make connections.
Web Soil Survey | Web Soil Survey provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world. The site is updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information.
Contact:
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 115 Commerce Drive, Leitchfield, KY 42754
The purpose of the Grayson County Soil Conservation District is to conserve the natural resources of the county including soil, air, wildlife, forestry, and water. We do this through cost-share programs, technical assistance, educational programs, and workshops. We are able to achieve this by partnering with many agencies on the local, state, and federal level, along with universities and businesses around the state. The conservation district offers services to all residents of Grayson County, including farmers, landowners, homeowners, and students.
Grayson County Conservation District offers assistance completing the Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plan. The KY AWQP consists of best management practices (BMPs) from six areas: silviculture (forestry); pesticides and fertilizers; farmstead; crops; livestock; and streams and other waters. The statewide plan serves as a guide to individual landowners/land users as they develop water quality plans for their individual operations.
Contact:
Grayson County Conservation District, 115 Commerce Drive, Leitchfield, KY 42754
(270) 259-3738 ext 101 | Robin.Decker@ky.nacdnet.net
All grants and funding opportunities through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (except those through Office of Agricultural Policy) can be found here.
Office of Agricultural Marketing | The mission of the Office of Agricultural Marketing is to assist farmers, agricultural businesses, and commodity groups in promoting and marketing their products by expanding existing markets and developing domestic and international markets for their goods and services.
In addition to the Kentucky Proud program, the Office of Agricultural Marketing includes Direct Farm Marketing (farmers' markets and agri-tourism), Education & Outreach, Livestock Marketing (market reports), Plant Marketing (organics, hemp, ginseng, and more), Promotion and Development, and Shows and Fairs (KY Proud tags).
Contact information for the Office of Agricultural Marketing can be found here.
Office of Agricultural Policy | The Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy provides staff support to the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation provide grants, incentives, and low-interest loans to help farmers and agribusinesses innovate and grow.
Their website will provide guidance to the opportunities available through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation, including how to access funding. KOAP staff is also available to assist applicants and county councils with any questions that arise. If you have further questions, please contact the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy at (502) 573-0282 or KOAP@ky.gov.
Office for Consumer and Environmental Protection | The Office for Consumer & Environmental Protection performs a wide variety of regulatory functions that serve every Kentuckian every day.
- The Division of Environmental Services is responsible for regulating the registration, sale, distribution, proper use, storage, disposal, and application of pesticides in Kentucky.
- The Division of Food Distribution distributes USDA commodities to eligible recipient agencies. The Division operates the Farm to School Program, a national model for helping Kentucky schools serve fresh local foods to their students.
- The Division of Regulation and Inspection checks motor fuel pumps and price scanners for accuracy, tests motor fuel for impurities and octane level, inspects amusement rides and attractions, regulates aerial recreational devices, calibrates scales and other measuring devices used in commerce, administers the Grain Insurance Fund, and performs many other duties.
Contact information for the Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection can be found here.
Office of State Veterinarian | The purpose of the Office of the State Veterinarian is to protect the health and welfare of Kentucky's livestock, poultry, and agricultural industries and promote an environment which enhances the economic and recreational opportunities and prosperity of Kentucky agriculture.
Contact information for the Office of State Veterinarian can be found here.
