Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Matthew Futrell
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Buckets of ExperienceAccording to Farm Bureau, the average American is three generations removed from the farm. You might ask why this is such a big deal, but the real take-away is that today’s youth has no idea of where their food comes from or how it is produced. Above and beyond that statistic, Farm Bureau has concluded that farm families make up less than 2% of the United States population. It is easy to see why the general public has misconceptions about the food tha
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
4-H Livestock is a fun family oriented activity that engages exhibitors to enhance life skills such as public speaking, self-confidence, time management and responsibility. The 4-H Livestock program just completed its 12th year with 31 exhibitors. The program has had exhibitors show at other county fairs across the commonwealth as well as, the Kentucky State Fair and North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. The future of the program is very bright with expectations th
Author: Mike Meyer
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
4-H Livestock selection and judging programs have long provided youth the opportunity to build on communication, teamwork, and leadership skills while practicing their decision-making abilities. Harrison County has built a strong tradition within the 4-H livestock Judging Program through years of dedicated and skilled volunteers willing to work and travel countless hours with participants for practice and contest.In 2017, 16 members of the Harrison County Livestock Judging team expressed i
Author: Mattea Mitchell
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Throughout the program, students were able to visualize what part of the plant they were consuming. Students were able to be creative in making their "stems" tasty!Lettuce wraps (leaves of the plant) for the win!According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese incre
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Under the direction of the Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, the 4-H Livestock Club had a tremendous 2nd year. A new volunteer completed the Livestock Certification process and obtained her required educational hours. The number of club members grew from 13 to 16, ages 5-18, participated in a series of educational meetings throughout the year, submitted an essay, participated in community service, presented a speech, and completed a project record book just to be eligible to sh
Author: Mollie Tichenor
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Spencer County Livestock Club has been working very hard over the past year. The certified livestock leader works diligently with all club members to make sure that they all have the knowledge and ability to go far in life, even beyond their livestock projects and/or contest. This year club members have competed and will continue to compete in the KY Beef Expo Judging Contest, Washington County Livestock Contest, KY Skill-a-Thon Contest, KY Livestock Judging Contest, various county fair show
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Tradition across the country for youth to showcase livestock project in the show ring is a major objective for many. For the fifteen minutes of showcasing projects in the show ring, many life skills are gained in the process prior to walking into the ring with the animal. It is well documented that youth gain many skills that foster into adulthood from participating in the youth livestock projects. Those skills help build and strengthen individuals in responsibility and decisi
Author: David Appelman
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Bracken County Extension Service hosted a field day for all of the Bracken County High School Ag Classes to get hands on experience evaluating the Grain Crop at the industrial park. In order to make the grain project more than just a fund raiser, the host farm store wanted the kids to gain knowledge about growing grain. Each class was divided up into teams to evaluate the following items, including yield estimate, disease identification and evaluation, weed identification, and in
Author: Jessica Wells
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Harrison County 4-H program is very active and provides opportunities for youth to learn about many different aspects of agriculture and family and consumer sciences. At the beginning of 2017 there were 184 student enrolled in 4-H and approximately 140 were active in 4-H special interest groups in the county. Seeing that there were many programs offered but none of them were directed toward horticulture, the Harrison County Horticulture Agent saw a need for a 4-H Horticulture Clu
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Under the direction of the Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, the 4-H Livestock Club had a tremendous 2nd year. A new volunteer completed the Livestock Certification process and obtained her required educational hours. The number of club members grew from 13 to 16, ages 5-18, participated in a series of educational meetings throughout the year, submitted an essay, participated in community service, presented a speech, and completed a project record book just to be eligible to sh
Author: Katie Wallace
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
According to 4-H research youth that are involved in 4-H programming are four times a likely to contribute to their communities, this is particularly evident in the Elliott County 4-H Livestock Invest in Youth Show and Sale. MaKayla Rose, a 10 year exhibitor in the 4-H Livestock Club, became a certified livestock volunteer in 2016. She began volunteering with the Livestock Club in January 2017 and is already making big plans for the 2018 program. Not only has the 4-H livestock program shaped MaK
Author: Glenna Bentley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In order to make youth more aware of where their food actually comes from the Lewis County Agents teamed up to host a farm field day for 5th grade youth. This was the third year the program was presented and the first year that we were able to secure a sponsor to cover the cost of lunch for participants. Lewis County Extension Office agents, Lewis County staff, Mason County Horticulture agent, Mason County Program Assistant, Lewis County and Greenup County Farm Bureau, and Rip’s Farm
Author: Staci Thrasher
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
According to www.OSHA.gov, youth ages 15 and under have an increased risk for farm related injuries. In summer of 2017, the Fleming County 4-H Program took their agriculture learning to the next level with an in-depth analysis and informative multi-day day camp on Tractor and Farm Equipment Safety. During these days, youth learned about large and small tractors, different variations of tractors, lawn mowers, and the evolution of hay equipment. Community leaders from Roses Farm
Author: Raven Ford
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Last program year, Rowan County 4-H Council made efforts to offer the youth of Rowan County more agriculture opportunities. One of the efforts was to expand the 4-H Country Ham project and that is in the works by providing a country ham shed and getting a certified livestock leader. Another effort that was made, was promoting the 4-H Poultry Judging event. This was the first year that the activity was offered in the county and 11 youth participated in the training. From those that attended the t
Author: Kimberly Lane
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Morgan County is a very rural community, yet several of our youth don’t have a clear understanding about where their food comes from and the process of producing a food product. In partnership with the four elementary schools and family resource center directors, five 4-H Teen volunteers, Heritage days were born. Jams and jelly classes, sorghum tasting, antiques, outdoor games and Kate the Cow were some of the activities provided at each of the schools. Each youth receiv
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Horticulture Agent and 4-H assistant in Jefferson County have partnered with the English and Urban Agriculture teacher at Fern Creek High School to further the in class learning with an after school 4-H club. The overarching goal of the Urban Agriculture Campus at Fern Creek High school is to immerse students in the food system through hands-on participation in all aspects of agriculture on their urban farm campus.Fern Creek High School has a total student body of 1,443 students, 53% of whom
Author: Charles Comer
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Taking top honors at a state-level 4-H contest might seem like an impossible goal for a team competing for the first time at that particular event. But with proper guidance and direction from an experienced 4-H volunteer, a team can reach and do the impossible. The 4-H Land Judging Senior team won top honors at the contest held during the Kentucky State Fair. The team was coached by Jeff Arnett, a 4-H volunteer and a former land judging contestant. According to him, “You
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In a 2017 Article by the Washington Post, the author argued that fewer and fewer American youth know where their food comes from. In the article, it presented a 2010 study from California that showed on 50% of youth knew where tomatoes came from, for onions, that number was 39%, buns, 28% and pickles, a whopping 22%. Similar studies conducted by agricultural education professionals in more recent years, seem to show about the same percentages. This fall, the Henderson County Ext
Author: Rebecca Stahler
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Incorporating livestock projects into the Boyd County 4-H program to reach youth with those interests in the hopes of achieving their ultimate vision of positive youth development, providing young people with skills necessary to become successful adults has been a goal since the club's beginning. A North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service publication states, "The purpose of 4-H and FFA youth livestock projects is to teach young people how to feed, fit, and show their animals.
Author: Owen Prim
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The amount of farmland in Campbell County continues to decline each year. 87% of the citizens of Campbell County live in urban communities. This increasing population has limited understanding or appreciation for the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. To address this issue, the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service developed an agriculture awareness and education program called "Grow It, Eat It, Wear It" that targets fifth grade students. &nbs
Author: Misty Wilmoth
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The 4-H Country Ham Project has grown in LaRue County since it was started in 2014. Twenty-nine 4-Hers participated in 2017. This was a 50% increase from 2016. In just four years, the project participation grew from 5 participants to 29 participants. With interest in the country ham project, grant money was secured in the amount of $1000 from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation and $2500 from Agriculture Development Funds to build a ham house in LaRue County for the project parti
Author: Cathy Toole
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Henry County has a rich agriculture history; it is the largest single source of income and provides the greatest number of employees in the county. Currently our county receives over $30,000,000.00 a year in agriculture revenues. The average size of a Henry County farm is 148 acres. It has come to the attention of the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service that the elementary aged youth are not aware of the importance agriculture plays in the history or the economy of Henry
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Agriculture Awareness especially for urban youth, has become a focus of the Campbell County ANR agent and agriculture leadership groups such as the Campbell County Agriculture Council and the Campbell County Farmland Workgroup. The following are agriculture awareness programs coordinated/supported by the Campbell County ANR agent. Newport High School is an inner city school where concrete and blacktop are the dominant landscape features of their school and homes. During the fall of 2
Author: Janet Turley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Mastery is an important life skill that encourages youth to believe they are capable and successful at solving problems and meeting challenges. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service via the 4-H program provides ample opportunity through the 4-H Horse Program to experience many different levels of mastery. 4-H members in the 17 county Extension District 6 region of the state have the opportunity to master skills in twenty different district/state events. These
Author: Lauren Neltner
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
4-H is all about creating opportunities for youth, especially in the 4-H Country Ham Project! The Country Ham Project has been a long time tradition for youth in Union County. In the past, the project has been conducted in Union County, however, due to some unforeseen changes, the Union County Country Ham Project moved to Broadbent Hams in Kuttawa, Kentucky. The traveling did not keep youth from participating in the Country Ham Project! The Union County 4-H program had nine 4-H
Author: Ryan Farley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Creating the next generation of ag-aware citizens has been stressed as a priority for Woodford County 4-H. According to 2013 data approximately 14% of Woodford County citizens are employed in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry. In response and in order to attract and engage otherwise uninterested youth audiences and families in Woodford County, Woodford County 4-H offers the 4-H Country Ham Project. This projects offers an opportunity for youth to engage in livestock educati
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Taylor County 4–H Club had their first Horticulture Judging Team this year. The purpose of forming this team was to utilize another method to increase horticulture interest within the youth of Taylor County, by providing them a fun, educational experience. The horticulture agent worked alongside with the 4-H agent to design, coordinate, and conduct practice session for the horticulture contestants. A total of 5 junior contestants and 1 senior contestant participated in 2 practices each
Author: Laura Huffman
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
A couple years ago a community survey showed the citizens of Hart County were interested in having an educational event with topics in agriculture and hunting. Therefore the Hart County Cooperative Extension Service along with the Hart County Chamber of Commerce collaborated to offer the Hart County Farm, Gardening & Hunting Expo. In September, 464 people attended the expo held at the Hart County Fairgrounds. This event offered educational information in areas of native wild
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service and Kenton County 4-H certified livestock volunteers plan and execute the educational meetings required for livestock participants in Kenton County. The 4-H livestock project involves raising and caring for live animals while learning about animal health, nutrition, breeding, selection and marketing. Animal projects offer outstanding opportunities for individuals to gain experience in decision making, record keeping, responsibility, and leadership. Three K
Author: Lisa Adams
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
After meeting with many local farmers and teachers, it was determined there was a need for more youth education about agriculture, farming and food. The Cooperative Extension Service planned and implemented a field trip for the local third grade students called 4-H Farm Days. During the 2017-2018 school year, nine hundred and seven third graders participated in a day long field day. Students were bussed to the Madison County Fairgrounds where they participated in fourteen workshops led by Cooper
Author: Shelley Meyer
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
While agricultural classes are offered at the Pendleton County High School, there has been a void of educating and preparing young individuals on in-depth step by step farming endeavors. Furthermore, farming has often been considered a career where only minimal education is needed to take care of animals and/or the land, it has contrarily evolved into a very prestigious occupation that requires countless hours, enormous expenses, and great risks. When managed efficiently, significant
Author: Alexandria Bryant
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
According to the USDA, Kentucky has the 4th largest number of farms in the United States with 55% of land designated for agriculture. However, as the global population grows, and demands for agricultural products grow, the need for individuals with agricultural knowledge or careers related to agriculture will continue to grow. In Breckinridge County, few classrooms incorporate agriculture into their curriculum each year and many students have very little understanding of how agriculture impacts
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
From 2007 to 2012 the numbers of farmers in the U.S. decreased by 4.3%. The average age of a farm principal operator has increased by 8 years over the last thirty years and there was also a 23.3% decline in operators that had been on the farm for less than five years. This shows a decrease in the number of new farmers and especially young farmers.(USDA Census of Agriculture) Kentucky has also had the challenge of finding alternatives to the mass exodus of tobacco production over the
Author: Lacy May
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Residents of many Eastern Kentucky communities are constantly searching for way to expose their children to new and unique experiences. According to Kentucky: By the Numbers only 8% of Magoffin County citizens have a Bachelor’s degree and only 65% have their high school diploma. Due to these staggering statistics the Magoffin County 4-H Youth Development Agent strives to continually offer programs that will give youth those new and unique experiences.Attending the Kentucky State Fair is on
Author: Nola Janeen Tramble
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation: In a county where horses are used for pleasure and work, there has been a demand for a 4-H horse club. Thankfully 2 volunteers stepped up and became certified horse leader this fall. Target Audience: youth ages 9 to 19 Educational Response: Because of the need for a 4-H horse club, 2 volunteers attended the horse leader certification this fall. One of the volunteers is a special needs young man. A former 4-H member, he has a heart to give back to the orga
Author: Owen Prim
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Livestock Projects are some of the longest-running and easily identifiable aspects of 4-H. These projects range in all sizes and can work for families with lots of space or acreage and for those with limited space or acreage. In Campbell County, these projects include both market and breeding beef, goats, sheep and swine.To ensure that Kentucky 4-H members have a full and well rounded educational experience in the livestock projects, volunteers working with these project areas are re
Author: Virginia Harper
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Calloway County 4-H and FFA collaborated on a Tractor Short Course to engage youth in learning about career opportunities and expand their view of their world. The six session short course enabled youth to give back to the community by valuing the past. The youth assisted at the Purchase Area Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show at the Bill Cherry Expo Center. During the show, youth collected $360 for a neighboring county that experienced a recent tragedy in a school &nb
Author: Lois Carter
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Livestock and Animal Science projects continue to be the largest, most viable projects offered in Bourbon County 4-H. Even though it may be one of the oldest, most traditional aspects of 4-H, one cannot discount its importance, due to the fact that livestock and livestock products statistically amount to about half of the farm income in Kentucky. Due to that fact, it remains extremely important that youth understand the role of agriculture in their lives along with the importance of livestock, l
Author: Mollie Tichenor
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety reported in 2016 that every day about 33 children are injured in agriculture-related accidents and every three days, a child dies in an agriculture-related incident. Among household youth on farms, injury rates increased in 2014 for youth 10-19 years. From 2003 to 2010, among workers younger than 16 years, the number of worker fatalities in agriculture were consistently higher than in all non-agricultural indu
Author: Bryce Roberts
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety reported in 2016 that every day about 33 children are injured in agriculture-related accidents and every three days, a child dies in an agriculture-related incident. Among household youth on farms, injury rates increased in 2014 for youth 10-19 years. From 2003 to 2010, among workers younger than 16 years, the number of worker fatalities in agriculture were consistently higher than in all non-agricultural indu
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate youth, about the impact of agriculture on their lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. In order to provide agricultural education to youth, Kenton County 4-H partners with the Kent
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The U.K., Cooperative Extension Service, Kenton County 4-H livestock volunteers, and the Kenton County Fair Livestock committee plan and execute the youth livestock sale hosted during the Kenton County Fair. The 4-H livestock project involves raising and caring for live animals while learning about animal health, nutrition, breeding, selection and marketing. Animal projects offer opportunities for individuals to gain experience in decision making, record keeping, responsibility, and leadership.
Author: Ashley Bates
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In the United States, less than 2 percent of the population is actively involved in food production. Of that 2 percent, the average farmer is over 58 years old. Together, these facts indicate that fewer of our youth are involved in agriculture. Fewer youth know that milk comes from cows or that bacon is from pigs. Therefore, the already existing knowledge gap between producers and consumers is only increasing in size. According to the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program&rsquo
Author: Tracey Tashjian
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In October of 2017, five Graves County Middle School students travelled to Eastern Kentucky with Tracey Tashjian and Samantha Anderson, Extension Agents for 4-H and Agriculture to learn about hemp production. The tour was arranged by Anderson who grew up learning and working in the about the industry. The students spent the day touring three farms (Atalo, GenCana, Kenneth Anderson's) to learn about hemp firsthand. Students applied this knowledge in writing a 1500 word essay
Author: Lora Stewart
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Gallatin County 4-H Livestock Program is a unique opportunity to use animals and educational projects to enhance youth development. This year approximately 40 youth plan on showing 25 cows, 28 goats, 14 hogs, and 8 sheep plus chickens, rabbits, turkeys, and ducks; a record number of animals. The quality of the animal has increase due to the 4-H Livestock Club. Several have aspired to go on to compete at the district, state and open shows. But the main objectives of the prog
Author: Leslie Bullock
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Horse Club—4-H RacersBuff Bradley and Debbie Ball lead the 4-H Racers which is the 4-H Horse club in Franklin County. It is one of the largest clubs. The Racers meet on the second Tuesday of every month throughout the year. Meetings are held at Indian Ridge Farm from the months of April through November. The months of December through March are held at the Franklin County Extension Office with all meetings beginning at 6 p.m. A benefit of having the meetings on the farm, is all o
Author: Raven Ford
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Over that last couple of months, the Rowan County 4-H program has seen a significant interest in youth livestock programming. One of the indications has been the number of cross county line forms that’s been signed for youth to participate in a surrounding county’s 4-H livestock program due to the program not being offered in Rowan County. Rowan County Extension is currently accepting applications for the “YAIP” Youth in Agriculture Incentive Program” for any 4
Author: Katie Mills
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
During the Fun on the Farm workshop, in the fall, Hopkins County was able to enjoy the outdoors and gain knowledge on where their food comes from and how it is produced. The goal for the workshop was for the youth participants to experience the joys and discomforts of farm life by visiting a local agritourism business, a greenery and learning healthy eating tips. All of which were successfully completed throughout the day. The agritourism business consisted of a pick your own pumpkin patch
Author: Wanda Paris
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In response to questions from local people, the Agriculture and 4-H Agents partnered to sponsor an educational meeting covering the laws, new and old, that govern transporting horses and livestock. The meeting, promoted through the 4-H and agriculture programs, was led by Sergeant Jason Morris with the Kentucky State Police. Twenty-one people from eight counties attended the meeting to determine whether they were within the law’s requirements for truck and trailer combinations to haul
Author: Ralph Hance
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Trimble County is a very rural county along the Ohio River about half way in-between Louisville and Cincinnati OH. With 95% of the residents residing in Trimble County considered rural and only 5% making up urban residents. The Trimble County 4-H program, being in a more rural county, has had programs focused mainly on Agriculture topics. However there has been less and less kids each year growing up on or around farms, Trimble County 4-H is attempting to shift some of that focus from Agricultur
Author: Ralph Hance
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Trimble County has a proud heritage as a farming community. However, youth attending Trimble County schools today are, at least, two to three generations removed from the traditional farm. Most grow up in a rural non agricultural environment. Many are unfamiliar with where their food comes from, how crops and livestock are produced and even less aware of what is happening on Trimble County farms. It is estimated that less than five percent of youth, K-12, actually come from a farming background.
Author: Ashley Osborne
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In Kentucky, at least one out of every three adults (34.2%) and children (37.1%) are overweight or obese, more than one out of every five Kentuckians (16.8%) and Kentucky children (21.9%) experience food insecurities, and one out of every three Kentuckians (29.8%) are physically inactive (SNAP-Ed, 2017). Youth gardening programs have shown increases in youth vegetable preferences, vegetable consumption, knowledge in nutrition and plant science, and engagement in physical activity (Spears-Lanoix,
Author: Lauren Neltner
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Safety comes first in Union County! The Union County 4-H Program along with the Conservation District, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, the FSA Office host Farm Safety Day every fall in Sturgis, KY at the John A. Arnold Arena. Farm Safety Day is an outdoor safety program where safety, environment, and agriculture are all tied together. This unique Safety Day provides excellent training for all 5th graders in Union County. From 1993-2018, approximately 4,451 students ha
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Farm & Home Safety Day 2.0Marshall County Extension Service has participated for several years in the annual Farm & Home Safety Day for the county’s 5th grade students. The program is coordinated by the Marshall County Conservation District and involves participation from local groups including Kentucky State Police, County Health Department, Emergency Management, Red Cross, WKRECC, and others. Marshall County Extension has covered a variety of safety topics at this program includi
Author: Meagan Lucas
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Pulaski County 4-H hosted the KDA Mobile Ag Science Center this spring at three different middle schools. Over 800 seventh grade students from the Northern, Southern, and Meece Middle schools were in attendance. Students visited the Mobile Ag Center during their science class and created a project using Ag products. One such product was a biodegradable bouncy ball made of cornstarch. Students learned that corn is renewable resources that can be used to create plastics as opposed to petroleum whi
Author: Isaac Hilpp
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Estill County Extension Council identified Diversifying local agriculture as an important need in Estill County. To address this need the local 4-H Youth Development Agent developed a program to introduce youth to how Ag. policy is created and how that relates to the crops grown in Estill County. Youth attended workshops teaching basic ag policy as we as how policy moved through government. At the end of this program, youth participated in an Ag Policy trip to Washington D.C. While in DC you
Author: David Littlejohn
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Bullitt County Extension Service, along with the help of the Bullitt County Farm Bureau, Young Farmers and Soil Conservation hosted the annual Youth Farm and Home Safety Day on September 20th at the Bullitt County Extension Office for 5th graders at Mount Washington, Roby, Cedar Grove and Lebanon Junction Elementary Schools. The purpose of this program was to help youth learn the importance of being cautious of their everyday surroundings. On this day, we had 495 youth participat
Author: Gregg Rentfrow
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The 4-H Country Ham Project continues to be one of the more popular non-livestock projects in the Commonwealth. Although the numbers have leveled, as compared to the last few years, we continue to add new counties and new county-based ham houses. In addition, more counties are adding a country ham contest to their local county fair. Some counties have added an adult program country ham program that accompanies the 4-H Country Ham Project. I have encouraged those adult pro
Author: Bonita Jolly
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
A Kentucky farmer not only feeds their own family but an additional 155 people. The total economic impact of Kentucky agriculture production, inputs, processing and manufacturing is approximately $46.3 billion representing over 263,000 jobs. Therefore it is important that adults and school children understand how food gets from the farm gate to the dinner plate. The Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service worked with a local elementary school to begin an annual “Ag Day” even
Author: Kaitlyne Metsker
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.” -Brenda Schoepp.Farm Day is long standing program in Christian County 4-H that is provided to all first-grade students in the Christian County Public School System, Private Schools, and Homeschool. For the 2018 Farm Day a total of 348 students and 22 teachers attended one of the two days offered and represented 10 of the 11
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Volunteer friends of Knott County Extension and the Hindman Masonic Lodge dedicated countless hours to build our county a top-notch ham house from the ground up! This ham house will give over two-hundred community members, adults and youth an opportunity to learn how to dry cure a ham. Fifty-six hams were worked up and hung in the ham house. Sixteen youth participants and eighteen community members/families participated. Sixteen youth will atte
Author: Ashley Osborne
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), 13 million acres (51%) is farmland. Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top agricultural enterprises (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include poultry, horses, cattle, and soybeans and corn. Each year in Kentucky, agriculture contributes roughly $45.6 billion to our economy. The Kentucky 4-H Agricultural Science Program engages 4-H members in a variety
Author: Stephen Conrad
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Florence Elementary put out a request for help in soils/gardening. Because of their location, the vast majority of the students are never around a flower or vegetable garden. In an effort to answer their request, the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service offered a soils/vegetable lesson. 215 3rd and 4th grade students learned about the appropriate make up of soil, proper aeration, and why vegetables/fruits are important to our diet. The lesson ended with each student filling a pot with pott
Author: Sarah Imbus
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Junior Master Gardener/Learn Grow Eat Go: The Campbell County ApproachIn Kentucky, at least one out of every three adults (34.2%) and children (37.1%) are overweight or obese, more than one out of every five Kentuckians (16.8%) and Kentucky children (21.9%) experience food insecurities, and one out of every three Kentuckians (29.8%) are physically inactive (SNAP-Ed, 2017). In Campbell County (population 92,488).There are 12.9% of the county who are food insecure, 13.2% of the population bel
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
It is no secret that over the past 100 years the United States, and Kentucky as a whole, has experienced a decrease in farmers. However, according to a recent USDA census those statistics may be beginning to change. In 2007 the USDA reported the first increase in the number of farms since 1920. As a result, colleges are also staring to notice and are providing more options for agriculture related degrees. While these things suggest agriculture is once again moving forward, local universities are
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In Oldham County, sourcing and purchasing local foods is a continuing trend. This has also spurred a growing number of people to seek information about raising their own food, and keeping poultry flocks is a very popular. Keeping these flocks has grown into a family affair, with both youth and adults involved in the care. The Oldham County Agriculture and 4-H Agents and the Shelby County Horticulture Assistant planned a two-part ‘Chickens 101’ program to meet the gro
Author: Brandon Darst
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In an effort to teach the Madison County 4-H Poultry Club more about poultry, the leaders decided to enter them in the Avian Bowl at the State Fair. Studying and practicing for such an event can become extremely time consuming. This takes trust from the leaders as well as the peers who are involved. Fortunately, we are equipped with an incredible knowledgeable leader who founded this club many years ago. Historically, the leader heads up the practices and quizzes the members but unfortunate
Author: Brandon Darst
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
According to the Journal of Extension, "Agricultural literacy is important to the future of our nation and the discipline of agriculture" (Frick & Spotanski, 1990, p. 6). Because the majority of the public is now almost completely removed from agriculture in their daily lives, it is of utmost importance that best practices in agricultural education are identified to ensure agricultural literacy is maintained in future generations of Americans.”The Madison County CES understan
Author: Lyndall Harned
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
This year I placed 25 dozen eggs and 25 incubators in classrooms in local elementary schools, pre- schools and the local Conservation Office, where an adjacent school could come to observe. The purpose of this project is for the students to learn about how live develops. It also teaches them the responsibility for caring for the eggs to ensure they have the best chance at hatching. Since we get our eggs from the UK Poultry Research unit, they are not guaranteed to be fertile, so we do not
Author: Larissa Tucker
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Youth development can take years to see results. Many times, we focus on the impact of those who were winners in our programs but sometimes it is those who participated that gained the most. An example of this came during college graduation season. There was a young man who participated for several years in 4-H dairy judging. He attended workshops, state contest, cow camp and the National 4-H Dairy Conference. He was working very hard but just could not seem to do enough to make the Kentucky 4-H
Author: Heather Cassill
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky
Author: Heather Cassill
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The life cycle of animals are a part of the science curriculum for a variety of grade levels. The Clark County 4-H program offers the chick incubation project to Preschool through 3rd graders to enhance their classroom curricula while seeing real life examples of the life cycle represented. 4-H Extension Staff provides the curriculum, incubation equipment and in classroom lesson talking about the chicken lifecycle and parts of the egg for the chick project. The chick incubation eggs are obtained
Author: Lamar Fowler
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Grant County 4-H continues its youth outreach and engagement to underserved audiences. We are committed to the positive growth of the underserved population in Northern Kentucky, including children, youth, and adults from all different cultural backgrounds.Northern Kentucky School Districts counted 2,939 students as homeless during the 2016-17 school year. The figure includes Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties. These children were either living on the st
Author: Regina Browning
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
A 2014 study conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that adults felt communication skills were the most important life skill for children to get in order to be successful in adulthood. Participation in 4-H events is one way that youth can gain these skills. The 4-H Country Ham Project has successfully enticed hundreds of youth into giving speeches through the process of curing country hams. Using a fun hands-on project to tie into the speech provides incentive for 4-hers to get invol
Author: Molly Jordan
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Bracken County has greatly benefitted from the Phase I Cost Share Programs over the last 16 years.Bracken County, due to our tobacco dependency, has received higher payments which producers have invested in various programs at the maximum level for the past 16 year. With a reduction in overall funds the state received, Bracken County faced a drastic scenario that would affect the number of producers that could receive funds unless changes were made. The Bracken County Agriculture
Author: Diane Kelley
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
“The practice of curing country hams dates back centuries, long before modern storage methods were available. …people kept their food from spoiling by packing it in a mixture of salt and other spices, and stored it for an extended period… Modern technology allows for other ways of preserving food, the way country hams are cured now is very much the same as it was long ago” Kentucky Farm Bureau News March 2018.The Kenton County 4-H Country Ham project provides the opport
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In 2018, the Johnson County Extension Council identified Gardening/Ag Production/Food Security as a priority for the Plan of Work. To address this issue, County Agent, Dianna Reed and Program Assistant, Valerie LeMaster worked with a local school to provide a three part workshop titled Seeds, Sprouts and Seedlings. In this workshop, session one covered the development of a seed from planting to seedling. As the accompanying hands-on activity, 100 students then planted herbs and tomato seeds in g
Author: Christy Eastwood
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Throughout the history of 4-H youth programming, the development of valuable life skills such as communication, problem solving, and understanding one’s self have been taught through experiential learning activities (Boyd, Herring, & Briers, 1992). When youths learn the process of evaluation through livestock judging, these same skills can be integrated into other real life situations. McCann and McCann (1992) reported that the livestock judging activity provides youth with an opportun
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Grayson County 4-H and Agriculture Agents have worked sideby side to present agriculture related lessons and activities to seventy 3rdgrade students at H.W. Wilkey Elementary School. This initiative was taken to help connect students at a young age to local agricultural practices and to gain an understanding of where their food comes from. Students recognize different types of foods, but don’t always know where it comes from, how it grows, or how it is processed for different uses. Through
Author: Nola Janeen Tramble
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Cooperative extension programs are to serve all Kentuckians. However, there isn’t a lot of opportunity for students with developmental disabilities. A Trigg County volunteer changed that. After coming to the Trigg county 4-H agent with his idea for the Challenge Me Club, we met with the Trigg County high school special education teacher to plan a weeklong program. The goal of the program was for the developmentally disables students (Buddies) to explore, reflect and apply learn
Author: Luke Fries
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Nelson County 4-H and Horticulture Agents teamed up to create a spin off of the State 4-H Program "APES". The locally created and executed program was labeled "FoCUS" or "Food Chain Under Survey". 6 youth from three separate county high schools were selected. The program consists of 4 meetings in a year and culminates in Chicago, IL for an in-depth look at urban food systems and circular economy. This allows for the expansion of ideas and innovation for
Author: Luke Fries
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
It is the beginning of life and it starts from one single cell. Whether a reptile, a bird, mammal or human, the evolution of our growth is similar and can be related to and witnessed through the 4-H Embryology Project. In the book Early Embryology of the Chick, Fourth Edition, written by Bradley M. Patten, the introduction states very eloquently that the Embryology Project allows participants to see “growth processes that hold something definite and tangible in answer to that ever recurrin
Author: Luke Fries
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
According to the 2012 Kentucky Agriculture Statistics Service, Nelson County ranks in the top 15 Kentucky counties for swine, horse, dairy and cattle production as well as having a growing meat goat population. Despite the large number and wide variety of livestock producers in Nelson County, youth participating in 4-H Livestock Programs have steadily declined over the last 10 years. Certified Livestock Volunteers provided a 4-H livestock program that incorporates learning hands on livestock pro
Author: David Davis
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). While Kentucky
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In the 2017-2018 school year, over 20 classrooms, representing both private and public Jefferson County schools, requested the Embryology project from the Jefferson County 4-H program. Teachers within classrooms wanted hands on experience with learning life skills and knowledge of the process of embryology. Youth learned to care and maintain for the eggs and incubator before, during and after the incubation period. They also learned the proper care of newly hatched chicks. Kelly Smith, Jefferson
Author: Meagan Klee
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
“There are approximately two million farms in the United States. There are also approximately 900,000 kids who live on farms, and more than half (51%) work on the farms where they live. Farms annually hire an additional 265,000 youth workers. Due to the high risk of injury from off-road vehicles, machinery, and livestock, farms are a dangerous place for kids to work and play.” (AgFax.com, 2018)The following are statistics from the 2017 Fact Sheet on Childhood Agricultural Injuries in
Author: Jeremiah Johnson
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
For many living within the counties of Union, Webster, McLean, Ohio, Hancock, Daviess, and Henderson, the equine industry has a large impact. According to the most recent Kentucky Equine Survey, there are approximately 5600 horses within those counties and an annual income from services at just above $5,000,000. Established in 2003, the District 6 North (Green River Area) Horse Camp, was designed to develop additional educational opportunities for youth participating in equestrian programs.
Author: Ralph Hance
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Chick embryology inspires a child’s natural curiosity about living things. The embryology project also conforms to the Kentucky Department of Education and National Science Standards competencies. The Trimble County Cooperative Agents for Agriculture and 4-H responded to a request from a Bedford Elementary School kindergarten teacher for assistance with this project in 2013. Agents conducted the program and provided leader materials and supplies for the project in which more than sixty kin
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
This year I worked with our Livestock club for the first time as the point agent. We started the year by assembling the parents and CLV's in a meeting to determine the future direction of the club as a whole. We as a group decided that the main focus for the year would be stability, fundraising, and recruitment. For the first time in recent memory we elected an officer team to direct the club activities, and lead the group, this greatly increased the involvement of our older youth. Some of t
