Extension
It Starts With Us
Agricultural Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Carter, Wilson
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Natural Resources 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). A farm is defined by the United States government as “any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year.” While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the
need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. The top agricultural products produced on Kentucky farms are changing. In 2012, the Top 10 agriculture products in Kentucky were: Broilers, Corn, Horses & Mules, Soybeans, Cattle & Calves, Tobacco, Dairy Prod & Milk, Wheat, Hay and Chicken Eggs (United States Department of Agriculture – Kentucky, 2012).
• Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
• Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
• Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas
of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
• Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
• Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
• Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
• Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant
sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
• Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
• Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, recordkeeping,
leadership and service.
Initial Outcome: The number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.
Indicator: Measurable successes in Agricultural projects
Method: Surveys - both written and verbal
Timeline: year round
Intermediate Outcome: The number of youth that keep production, performance or financial records on their 4-H
agriculture projects.
Indicator: Number of youth submitting records
Method: evaluation of records
Timeline: end of project year
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Youth and 4-H Livestock Exhibitors
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: State LVC Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Specialists, Industry Leaders
Date: Year round
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity:4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: State LVC Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Specialists, Industry Leaders
Date: Year round
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H & FFA Show & Sale
Content or Curriculum: Ag Awareness and Leadership
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists, Industry Leaders
Date: September
Audience: Youth
Activity: Ag Awareness 4-H Club Program
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventure
Date: October 2017
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Livestock Judging & Skillathons
Content or Curriculum: State LVC Curriculum
Date: November-July
Audience: 4th and 5th grade students
Activity: Environmental Camps
Content or Curriculum: Planned by teachers, 4-H staff
Date: Spring and Fall
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
