Agriculture and Natural Resources Education for YouthPlan of Work

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Marshall County CES

Title:
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education for Youth
MAP:
Youth in Agriculture
Agents Involved:
NB, LDM
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Youth Development Programming
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:

People, animals, and plants are dependent on our earth's natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for for food production is vital to our existence. While Kentucky's population and food consumption is increasing, the number of farm acres as well as the number of people living on farms is decreasing. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, between 2007 and 2012, Kentucky had a 6.7% decrease in the number of farm acres, that is a greater percentage than any other state. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact agriculture and natural resources has on our daily lives, as well as its importance to Marshall County to protect our environment for present and future generations.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will be advocates of agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems. They will protect their environment, engage in community projects relating to preserving natural resources, and gain life skills needed for successful futures

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the areas of agriculture and natural resources. Youth will explain the role of agriculture and our natural resources to others, influencing others actions and opinions. Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to agriculture and natural resource related issues.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will gain knowledge, skills and interest in areas relating to agriculture and natural resources, including topics such as production of food and fiber, sustainable food systems, soil science, plant science, animal science, and horticulture. Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems. They will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participation in a 4-H ANR or Natural Resources Project/Program

Indicator: Number of youth who demonstrate a skill learned and improved upon such skill. / Youth can identify the natural resources in their community. / Youth gain an undertanding of the ecosystems in nature. / Participation in 4-H Horse Club increases and members follow through on educational hour commitment.

Method: Surveys, number of participants, observation, and 4-H Horse Show and education requirement commitment results.

Timeline: Initial


Intermediate Outcome: Adopt and Utilize.

Indicator: Youth apply what they have learned from participating in a 4-H ANR and/or Natural Resources program/project/event. / Youth use skills learned to conserve natural resources.

Method: Survey, observations and communication with 4-Hers/students, teachers and family.

Timeline: Within first 6 months of program/project/event completion.


Long-term Outcome: Improve and Educate Others.

Indicator: Youth become advocates for agriculture and participate in protecting natural resources. / Youth engage in a community project related to natural resource conservations. / Number of youth/4-H agriculture/horticulture exhibits at the county/state fair increases.

Method: Observation, surveys, and the number of youth agriculture/horticulture entries at the county/state fair.

Timeline: By end of program/4-H club year.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Soil Science Education

Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Curriculum (The Dirt on Soils)

Inputs: Ag Agent/Volunteer time, training materials, facilities, etc.

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Tree Team

Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Ag Agent/Volunteer time, training materials, facilities, etc.

Date: TBD


Audience: Marshall County 4th Grade Students

Project or Activity: Youth Ag Field Day

Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H/Snap Curriculum.

Inputs: County Agents/4-H Program Assistant/4-H & Ag Volunteer time, training materials, facilities, etc.

Date: Spring 2019


Audience: Marshall County Youth (Grades 4-12)

Project or Activity: 4-H Trailblazers Club / Horse Project

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horse Project Curriculum & Ohio Horse Lab Kit / Equine Related Speakers & Workshops

Inputs: 4-H Agent/Certified Horse Volunteers, District 7 4-H & ANR Agents, UK Equine Specialists

Date: 2018-19 Club Year


Audience: Marshall County Youth (Grades 4-12)

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Project Curriculum & Lab Kit / Livestock Related Speakers & Workshops

Inputs: 4-H Agent/Certified Livestock Volunteers, District 7 4-H & ANR Agents, UK Equine Specialists

Date: 2018-19 Club Year


Audience: Marshall County After-School & CFS Club Members/Students

Project or Activity: School Enrichment Programs, 4-H Club Lessons and/or Day Camps

Content or Curriculum: 4-H "Exploring Our Environment" or "Acres of Agriculture"

Inputs: 4-H Agent & Program Assistant, 4-H Teen Volunteers

Date: 2018-19


Audience: Marshall County 4-H Sharp Shooter Members

Project or Activity: Club Lessons, Safety Training & Range Work

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports Program

Inputs: 4-H Agent, Shooting Sports Coaches & Coordinator, Calvert City Gun Club volunteers

Date: 2019


Audience: Marshall County 4-H Youth attending 4-H Camp

Project or Activity: Residential 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: Program developed by agents and volunteers

Inputs: Marshall County Extension for 4-H Youth Development Agent & Program Assistant, 4-H Agents from other camping group counties, Marshall County 4-H Teen & Adult Volunteers, and 4-H Camp Staff.

Date: Summer 2019



Success Stories

4-H Livestock Club

Author: Nicole Rhein

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Problem Livestock is a major part of Marshall County Agriculture. Animal related sales makeup 68% of the total agriculture products sold in the county. Unfortunately, livestock related 4-H programming has been absent from the county for some time but after receiving many verbal requests from farm families, Nicole Bell, Marshall County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, acted. Even though Nicole has no appointment in 4-H, she volunteered to reestablish the Marshall County Kentucky 4-H

Full Story
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