Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban Forestry
Promoting Sustainability
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, A. Holt, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, M. Pearce and K. Smith
Urban Environments (water issues)
Sustainable Agriculture
Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. However, agriculture in Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky’s largest and most urban county, looks decidedly different. With a few hundred traditional farms scattered in the far south end of the county, production agriculture receipts are quite small. However, urban agriculture, home gardening and commercial horticulture are popular and growing segments. Also, with the local food and makers movements gaining momentum in Louisville/Jefferson County, the impact from food and fiber producers is great.
Equally important are natural resources. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that citizens care for and respect these resources.
Disaster preparedness is necessary for safe communities. Each year, on average, Kentuckians deal with 30-50 days associated with thunderstorms, 12 tornadoes and 3 fatalities related to tornadoes. In additions, flooding is a problem in Jefferson County, as well as other natural disasters.
• Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and agriculture.
• Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
• Youth and adults will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
• Youth and adults will place value on and advocate for water resources, protect and improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollutants.
• Youth and adults will protect and improve water, soil and air resources.
• Youth and adults will maintain or improve wildlife habitat (e.g. beneficial insects).
• Farmers will improve efficiency of manure handling, reduce environmental impacts of winter feeding areas and homeowners will reduce lawn, landscape and garden additives.
• Increased tree planting will help to maintain or decrease the “heat island effect.”
• Youth and adults are making changes in their daily lives that implement sustainable practices and home horticulture such as gardening, water conservation, recycling and an increase in community based initiatives around the same things.
• Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
• Producers implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their property or in their community.
• Youth and adults will make informed decisions on daily activities and actions that affect water quality by attending a stormwater education and training program
• Advocate for stormwater BMPs with clients and community leaders
• Develop, update and implement Ag Water Quality Plan and Nutrient Management Plan
• Residents will appreciate and improve forested areas and will increase the number of tree planted.
• Gain knowledge and skills, developing and interest in the subject matter, developing an understanding of the interdependencies of the ecosystem. Learn valuable life skills that pertain to horticulture and environmental issues.
• Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
• Youth and adults will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
• Youth and adults can define watershed, stormwater, impervious surfaces, pollutant runoff, hydrology and stream ecology
• Youth and adults can recognize the water quality issues/needs on their property, at their school, in the community
• Youth and adults can understand the benefits of native plants, non-aggressive perennials, and vegetation in the landscape
• Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil conservation
• Working with urban adjacent forestland owners to develop sustainable land practices
Initial Outcome: Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil
conservation.
Indicator: Number of homeowners who successfully deliver a soil sample
Method: Extension soil test records and vouchers
Timeline: Ongoing through the year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Indicator: An increase in youth and adults who explain the role of agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Long-term Outcome: Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and sustainable agriculture.
Indicator: An increase in the number of youth and adults that participate,
practice and advocate for sustainable horticulture and agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardeners program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener manual
Inputs: speakers, lab class, quizzes, tests, agent time
Date: May 2017 – October 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: summer programs, after school clubs
Content or Curriculum: activities, project wild, Jr MG program
Inputs: Jr. MG program curriculum
Date: July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Community Garden implementation; school garden
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications
Inputs: Master Gardener volunteers; agents; specialists;
content curriculum
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Louisville residents
Project or Activity: Rain Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Rain gardens with MSD curriculum
Inputs: Plants, agents, MSD
Date: TBD
Audience: Commercial producers
Project or Activity: GAP Training, farmers market sampling certificate,
organic certification
Content or Curriculum: Programs associated with above projects
Inputs: Farms, KDA, agents, buyers, farmers
Date: TBD
Audience: Seniors
Project or Activity: Food Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: CES publications, Plate It Up, Farmers Market
Inputs: All CES Agents, CES publications, extension
publications
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Ag Field Day
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Louisville Water Company Festival
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017 - Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Camp
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Gardening
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Clubs
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Gardening in Small Spaces
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA)
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Light Bulbs in the Home
Content or Curriculum: Home Energy Use
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Home Cleaning Products
Content or Curriculum: Household Waste Management
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Incubator Farm Program is a three-year farm business development program for New Americans in Louisville, KY. The program is co-facilitated by the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent and Program Manager from Common Earth Gardens, a division of Catholic Charities with support from Navigate Enterprise Services (Louisville Org. that specializes in limited resource/New American business development) and Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD). Participants in the program had t
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
According to the “State of Food” study conducted the University of Louisville, there is an average of 1 full service grocer per 25,000 residents in West Louisville compared to a Jefferson County wide ratio of 1 per every 12,500 residents. This leaves many residents dependent on food pantries and subsidized programs while not fully addressing core issues such as the lack of economic opportunities that are also prevalent in food deserts. While the city has numerous community green spac
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Jefferson Co. Agent for Horticulture Education collaborated with the Urban Conservationist with Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District and local non-profit, Louisville Grows to host the first Urban Homesteading Workshop Series. The goal of the program was to introduce the art of self-sufficiency via homegrown food production for people living in an urban environment. Classes met twice a month, March.-Oct. of 2018 with a celebration at the end of October. Meeting 1 was a
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing
2019 is the second year of a three-year farm business development program for New Americans in Louisville, KY. The program is co-facilitated by the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent and Program Manager from Common Earth Gardens, a division of Catholic Charities with support from Navigate Enterprise Services (Louisville Org. that specializes in limited resource/New American business development) and Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD). Participants in the program had to a
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
In the 2018-2019 school year, over 30 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: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Sustainable water use practices are a priority for farmers across the country. Many farmers in Jefferson County use wasteful practices such as overhead watering to bring water to their crops. This is especially true of New American Farmers who have limited experience and exposure to different types of watering methods. In order to expose New American Farmers to different watering methods, the Horticulture Agent partnered with Irrigation Specialist, Dr. Brent Rowell of UK, the Jefferson Co. Soil
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Master Gardener
The How to festival is an event put on by the Louisville Free Public library where the community can come out and learn 50 different topics in 5 hours. Presenters and experts from various local organizations and businesses share their expertise freely with the public in 45-minute workshops. Master Gardener volunteers had a significant presence at this event. The Jefferson County Master Gardener Association is a volunteer group that works closely with extension to provide agricultural educa
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Having volunteers are a critical component to the effectiveness of county agents. They significantly increase an agent’s ability to reach target audiences and affect change in the community. Volunteers often come from the same areas they work in and see extension agents as a resource to provide education and opportunities that they otherwise may not have access. Technical training and research-based information from University extension programs can provide skill and experience that volunt
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Master Gardener
The Master Gardener Program was created by extension to help answer horticulture questions from home gardeners but it has blossomed into a vital resource for urban garden communities. The 2019 Master Gardener class lasted 14 weeks and covered several topics from organic gardening to entomology taught by university professors, industry specialists, and master gardeners. The class of 41 completed their final exam and graduated to the level of interns where they must complete 40 volunteer hours to
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture - Landscape Ecosystems
The Louisville Zoo is comprised of 134 acres situated in the city’s Poplar Level neighborhood. The Zoo has 6 zones of exhibits several of which contain yards that have native or introduced plant species. In some cases, these yards may contain toxic plants that could cause serious health issues with the animals. On several occasions, animals have consumed plants that required veterinarian services including a hospital stay. The Louisville Zoo’s Senior Veterinarian reached out to
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Iroquois Farm is situated on an 8 acre Louisville Metro Housing Authority demolition site owned by the city of Louisville. After the Louisville Metro Housing Authority had the buildings removed, the contractor brought in soil to level out the site for some future use and submitted soil sample test results. Soil test results indicated high levels of Arsenic and Lead. The Food Literacy Program contacted The Housing Authority to discussing leasing the land for vegetable farming. An agreement was re
