The Step Out and Rise Program is a nine-month leadership development initiative sponsored by the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service and led by the Extension Agents.
This program is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of current and future leaders, empowering them to make a greater impact in our community. The program runs from July 2025 through March 2026, with a graduation ceremony in April.
Sessions occur monthly from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and provide participants with valuable insight into leadership, local government, economic development, and other key community topics.
Each session will include a tour of a relevant local facility to enhance learning through real-world experiences.
The participant cost is $100, which covers program materials and meals. Participants will be responsible for providing their own transportation to all tours, which will take place within the local area.
To successfully complete the program, participants are required to attend a fiscal court meeting, a city council meeting, and participate in a community service project.
Applications are due by June 20, and selected participants will be notified before the program begins. For more information, contact the Extension Office at 270-384-2317.
Dates and topics for each session are listed below.
July 18: Introduction & Leadership Development
August 15: Local Utilities & Infrastructure
September 19: Local Agriculture
October 17: Education Overview
November 21, 2025: Local & State Government
January 16, 2026: Health Service
February 20, 2026: Utilizing Media
March 20, 2026: Economic Development & Tourism
April 17, 2026: Graduation
UK Ag Weather
Tool for Farmers
The University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center offers a specialized weather resource tailored for Adair County farmers at weather.uky.edu/iweb.php?address=adair,KY.
This platform provides localized agriculture-focused weather data, including current conditions, hourly and daily forecasts, and critical agronomic indicators such as evapotranspiration rates, growing degree days, and spraying conditions. By integrating real-time meteorological data with agricultural models, the site assists producers in making informed decisions that enhance productivity and reduces weather-related risks.
For hay producers, this tool can aid in decisions for timing harvests to optimize forage quality. The site provides detailed forecasts, including humidity, wind speed, and drying conditions, which are essential for determining optimal cutting and baling times. By utilizing this information, farmers can schedule harvests during periods of favorable weather, which will preserve the nutritional value of the hay and reduce the risk of weather-induced losses.
Crop producers also benefit from the site's detailed weather data when planning pesticide applications. The platform offers insights into spraying conditions, factoring in wind speed, temperature, and humidity, which are critical for minimizing drift and ensuring effective application. By consulting these forecasts, farmers can select optimal windows for spraying, enhancing pest control efficacy and reducing environmental impact.
Beef Facts
for Adair County
May is Beef Month, a time to celebrate a favorite food and the farmers who produce it. In Adair County, beef is not only a food source but a way of life on 591 farms, per the last USDA Ag Census. Adair County is home to 40,826 cattle. 17,785 are beef cows, 4,121 are dairy cows, the remainder are calves produced from these cows and calves bought to be fed from other counties. In Kentucky, Adair County ranks 9th in cattle sales generating 29.1 million dollars in beef sales.
Beef production plays a unique role in our food systems by consuming grass grown on land typically not suitable for other purposes. In return, it is converted into a protein we can consume. Consumers have the choice between grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nearly every animal grown for beef spends most of its life on a grass-based diet.
The beef industry at the cow/calf level is made up of many small farms. In Adair County, 81% of beef farms have 50 head or less cattle. Less than 5% of farms have more than 100 head.
