Extension
It Starts With Us
Water Quality Plans,Recycling,Pesticide Training,GAP TRaining, Climate Change Program
Envionmental and Natural Resources
Clark
Ag Water Quality Program
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Chemical Crop Management Tools
Pesticide Safety – Livestock Pests
An important component of the Hart County economy is the efficient production, management, and marketing of natural resources. For the economic and environmental well-being of Hart County sound management practices must be developed. Information about the environment and natural resources must be delivered through effective educational programs .Chemical application at its best is simultaneously safe, effective, economical, and environmentally-conscious. Achieving each of these attributes for plant pest management is an ongoing educational process for a variety of applicator groups, including farm managers and workers, gardeners, crop advisors, point-of-sale employees, and industry and government agency representatives. This process will include educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations, recommendations, and site-specific farm visits by various extension personnel. In addition to timely and relevant updates on new chemicals, focus areas are chemical safety, efficacious usage, and integration of diversified approaches alongside chemicals. Attention to these foci will benefit not only applicators, but anyone who comes in contact with agricultural fields or uses Kentucky food, fuel, and fiber crops as part of everyday life.
The County Extension Council identifies the need for producers to be aware of the potential for more water quality issues as the county experiences an increase in row crops on land that has been used for forages. Extension advisory groups have identified a need for extension to assist producers, managers, users, and decision makers in understanding, assessing, and implementing land use strategies that will protect and sustain the environment
Producers will improve environmental quality from increased use of IPM, Conservation of Biodiversity; and reduced nutrient and soil runoff.
Producers will reduce costs, increase benefits and increase production from efficient use of water and nutrient management.
Producers will have improved pest management with environmental safe pest control.
Solid waste reduced to avoid environmental contamination and improve water quality. Clientele will have improved environmental and economic conditions through utilization of natural resources.
Producers will understand societal concerns relating to food and environmental quality and employ practices that help achieve these expectations.Reduction of crop injury due to pesticide applications (rate, compatibility, application conditions)
Successfully complete PAT and training workers in worker protection standards (WPS)
Use diagnostic services toidentify insects, disease, weeds
Use diagnostic, agent, specialist recommendations
Compare chemical options based on time, availability, cost, companion tactics
Design effective spray schedules for plant pest management
Evaluate chemical storage, handling, and disposal
Adopt one or more storage, handling, disposal recommendations
Adopt recommended application techniques
Calibrate sprayer, select appropriate nozzles and pressure, test spray water
Record chemical use, frequency, timing, tank mixes
Post signage for recently applied chemicals
Producers will use soil test results for nutrient inputs.
Farmers will adopt livestock waste management and nutrient management plans.
Farmers and homeowners use pesticides in a manner that minimize the effect on the environment.
Landowners will participate in training and educational events.
Landowners will report increased knowledge and understanding of BMP.
Community will have a deeper knowledge of conservation issues.
Producers will recycle pesticide containers.
Producers will receive educational material on dead animal composting.
Outcome: Recycle Pesticide Containers
Indicator: Number of pesticide containers recycled
Method: Inventory on collection day
Timeline: Annually
Outcome: Producers will use pesticides in a safer, more environmental way
Indicator: Number of producers who will report change
Method: Training Questionnaire Survey
Timeline: January – March 2016
Outcome: Producers complete Water Quality Plans
Indicator: Number of Hart County farmers who complete water quality
plans.
Method: Evaluation will be determined by the number of actual contacts and
the number of plans on file at the county NRCS Office.
Timeline: Annually
Outcome: Producers will enroll in programs to improve water quality
Indicator: Number of acres enrolled in CREP
Method: Enrollment numbers from FSA
Timeline: Annually
Audience: Agriculture Producers, Landowners and Homeowners
Project or Activity: Cover Crop Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Field Day on Local Farm
Inputs: Specialists; Ag. Agent; farm cooperator
Date: Fall 2017
Audience: Agriculture Producers, Landowners, and Homeowners
Project or Activity: Conduct farm visits to assist landowners in identifying environmental issues and offer Best Management Practices and conduct educational programs on environmental issues and Best Management Practices to address the issues.
Content or Curriculum: Water Quality Issues; Kentucky Agricultural
Water Act; CREP Program; Best Management Practices
Inputs: NRCS; Ag Agent; Newsletter
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Agriculture Producers, Landowners, and Homeowners
Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Workshops
Content or Curriculum: A practical knowledge of common pests to be controlled and the damage caused by them. Read and understand the label and labeling information including common name of the pesticide applied, pests to be controlled, timing and methods of application, safety precautions, any pre-harvest or re-entry restrictions and any specific disposal procedures.
Apply pesticides in accordance with the label instructions and warnings, be able to prepare proper concentrations and calibrate application equipment.
Recognize local environmental situations that must be considered during application to avoid contamination.
Be able to recognize poisoning symptoms and procedure to follow in case of a pesticide accident.
Inputs: Ag Agent; Pesticide Safety Publication; Power Point
Date: December 2017; January, February, March 2018
Audience: Agriculture Producers, Landowners and Homeowners
Project or Activity: Rinse and Return
Content or Curriculum: KDA Pesticide Container Recycling Program
Inputs: KDA; Local Farm Supply; Ag Agent; Newsletter
Date: Annually
Audience: Agriculture Producers, Landowners and Homeowners
Project or Activity: Composting Yard and Garden Waste
Content or Curriculum: Composting Program and HO-75
Inputs: Ag Agent; Composting Publication; PowerPoint
Date: Spring 2018
