Considerations for Future Utility Scale Solar Farm Developments

By Alison Davis | Extension Professor
Published on Sep. 1, 2020

An effort to rely on renewable resources instead of nonrenewable has the potential to meet the increased global demand for electricity. Both solar and wind energy have the potential to offset a significant fraction of non-renewable electricity demands, yet it occupies extensive land when deployed at levels large enough to meet global demand.

Managing Risk with Insurance

By Lauren Omer Turley | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Aug. 25, 2020

With all of the uncertainties we face in agriculture today, it is important to manage risk. We can’t control the markets, the weather, or the dangers of working in agriculture, but there are tools that can help manage those risks.  Insurance is one of the tools that can be used in various manners.

Government Payments 2010-2019

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Aug. 25, 2020

Agricultural government payments were created to help provide financial stability for farms and farmers. In recent years they have become a substantial support to ailing farm income. Background

2020 Land Values Report

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Aug. 13, 2020

The 2020 Land Values Summary was released by USDA on Thursday, August 6. This annual report indicates the average value of all land and buildings on farms in the US, and by state and region. Three categories are measured: Farm Real Estate Value, Cropland Value, and Pasture value.

Crop Insurance as a Tool for Managing Farm Risk

By Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

Crop insurance was authorized by Congress in the 1930s on an experimental basis to insure against crop loss from “unavoidable perils beyond the farmer's control.” It was made permanent with the passage of the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1980.

Be Proactive Rather than Reactive in Hard Financial Times

By Tarrah Hardin | KFBM Area Extension Specialist
Published on Jul. 28, 2020

When facing hard financial times, like the ones we are currently facing, it is very easy to sit back and let the cards fall and hope that they are in your favor. This approach is very risky and most of the time will not end the favor of the one being reactive to the situation.

Workforce Planning in the Time of COVID

By Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Jun. 29, 2020

The pandemic has disrupted almost every phase of our lives. One of the most visible has been the workplace. Layoffs, furloughs, shutdowns, working remotely, social distancing and public health considerations have permanently changed the way we work.

Resources Available to Farmers Struggling with Farm Financial Stress

By Alison Davis | Extension Professor, Greg Halich | Associate Extension Professor, Jerry Pierce | KFBM Program Coordinator, Jonathan Shepherd | Extension Specialist, Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor, Kenny Burdine | Extension Professor, Sarah Bowker | CEDIK Managing Director, and Steve Isaacs | Extension Professor
Published on Apr. 1, 2019

Farmers have been facing many financial stress issues related to commodity prices and the overall farm economy.

Post-Harvest Management: The Economics of Grain Drying

By Jordan Shockley | Associate Extension Professor
Published on Oct. 1, 2018

Kentucky has over 200 million bushels of on-farm grain storage capacity as of 2016. Since 2002, total on-farm grain storage capacity has increased each year (USDA-NASS, 2017). As a producer evaluates there storage capabilities and post-harvest management strategy, investing in a new grain drying system may be a part of that evaluation.

Surviving the Farm Economy Downturn

Published on Dec. 1, 2017

This collection of papers is the result of efforts by a group of Extension economists across the South.  The genesis for these educational programs began where all good extension education programs begin: the needs of farmers and ranchers in the region.  Booms and busts in the agricultural economy are not new.