Sustainable Agriculture, Non-Traditional Agriculture, and Natural ResourcesPlan of Work

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Spencer County CES

Title:
Sustainable Agriculture, Non-Traditional Agriculture, and Natural Resources
MAP:
Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Bryce Roberts, Allison Lewis, Mollie Tichenor
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Chemical Crop Management Tools
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:

With the continued increase in population in Spencer County, we are seeing reduction of traditional farm land. We are noticing an increase in modern age agriculture, including sustainable and non-traditional. The Spencer County Extension Council and Agents realize that there is a definite need for programs and resources dealing with all types of agriculture.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Producers will increase their profits from their agricultural endeavors by incorporating new and improved production techniques. All residents of Spencer County will employ farm safety practices and procedures in their lives.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers will begin using improved variety of fruits and vegetables, new watering techniques, and increase the use of new marketing outlets. Families and youth begin to use safety practices.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will learn how to properly grow and select varieties of fruit and vegetables. Youth will be able to identify proper animal husbandry and animal well being.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Farmers market participants will increase their net income.

Indicator: Increase in sales at local farmer’s market.

Method: End of market survey.

Timeline: November – January.


Outcome: Youth will practice and recognize proper animal husbandry techniques.

Indicator: Increase number of youth participating in livestock, dairy, and animal science programs.

Method: Observation.

Timeline: July - June.


Outcome: Producers will gain knowledge and apply proper skills in pesticide application.

Indicator: Pre/Post Test.

Method: Observation.

Timeline: November – February.


Outcome: Youth and adults gain knowledge in areas of nutrition, gardening and youth development.

Indicator: Increase in participation and awareness of Farmers Market.

Method:  Observation and number of volunteers, including 4-H Members, and Homemakers. 

Timeline: July-October, April-June.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Agriculture/Horticulture Producers, Families


Activity: Farmers Market (BR, AL, MT)

Content or Curriculum: GAP training, farmer’s market materials.

Inputs: Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, and Community Volunteers.

Date: July-June


Activity: Vegetable Gardening (BR, AL, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky. 

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County Soil Conservation District.

Date: March - June


Activity: Pesticide Application Training (BR)

Content or Curriculum: Private application training and commercial applicator training

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers.

Date: November – February


Activity: Organic Production Field Day (BR)

Content or Curriculum: Production Methods, Water Quality, UK publications.  

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Community Volunteers, University of Kentucky CES.

Date: September – October


Audience: Youth

Activity: Livestock, Country Hams, and Dairy (MT)

Content or Curriculum: Animal science materials and approved curriculum.

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, Spencer County FFA, Certified 4-H Livestock Club Leaders, Community Volunteers.

Date: July – June.


Activity: Farm Safety (AL, BR, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Small and large tractor safety materials and classes.

Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers.

Date: August, September, March, May


Activity: Windowsill Gardens with all 6th graders (AL, BR, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Windowsill Garden Curriculum.

Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Local Producers, Farmer’s Market Committee, Community Volunteers.

Date: April


Activity: Elementary Ag Day (AL, BR, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Teaching youth about local agriculture.

Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spencer County FFA, Certified 4-H Livestock Club Leaders, Community Volunteers.

Date: September – October



Success Stories

Spencer County Elementary Ag Day

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

Full Story

Spencer County Agricultural Field Day

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

Full Story

Spencer County Farm to Table

Author: Bryce Roberts

Major Program: Ag Marketing

Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our sixth annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2018 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County. A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 5 course Italian dinner. All of the food prepared and served b

Full Story

Spencer County Farm to Table Meal

Author: Allison Lewis

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our sixth annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2018 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County.  A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 5 course Italian dinner.  All of the food prepared

Full Story

Spencer County Farm to Table

Author: Mollie Tichenor

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our sixth annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2018 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County.  A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 5 course Italian dinner.  All of the food prepared

Full Story

Getting to Know Your Woodlands Webinar Series

Author: Bryce Roberts

Major Program: Woodland Education

                The 2019 Getting to Know Your Woodlands Webinar Series: A Primer for Beginners was targeted at Kentucky’s private woodland owners and designed to assist private woodland owners in the management of their woodlands as well as those with an interest in forests and wildlife. It was a partnership of UK Forestry Extension and numerous Forestry Extension Units from other nearby universities and the Southern Region Extension Forestry team th

Full Story

Spencer County Ag Day

Author: Allison Lewis

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

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-agri

Full Story

Hunters for the Hungry

Author: Mollie Tichenor

Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

Spencer County was one of the three counties in Kentucky 4-H to pilot the first Kentucky 4-H Hunters for the Hungry campaign.  The goal for the first year was to have 10 deer donated per county.  Spencer County 4-H exceeded the Kentucky Hungers for the Hungry Executive Director’s expectations by collected 9 does this year in a short 6 week time frame from the introductory meeting throughout the completion of hunting season.  According their webpage, “Kentucky Hunters f

Full Story
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