Addressing Water IssuesPlan of Work

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Kenton County CES

Title:
Addressing Water Issues
MAP:
Raising Environmental Awareness
Agents Involved:
Dan Allen, Michele Stanton
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Backyard Streams
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Ag Water Quality Program
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Urban Environments (water issues)
Situation:

Kenton County is bordered by two major rivers (Licking and Ohio). There are two primary watersheds that are negatively affected by land use. Further, farmers and landowners of 10+ acres are voluntarily filing water quality plans.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Residents would implement BMPs that would improve the quality and cleanliness of the streams and rivers.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Best management practices are embraced by the residents and land owners. These practices are sought after as the "norm" in stewardship of land ownership.

Initial Outcomes:

Extension service would work with other organizations to teach and demonstrate best management practices addressing living in watersheds and near streams.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Implementation of BMPs

Indicator: Change in behavior and understanding of the need for water quality

Method: Evaluations and from organization like Sanitation District's ongoing water monitoring programs

Timeline: Post class, yearly


Intermediate Outcome: Survey, observation during farm visits.


Long-term Outcome: Cleaner water system in county.


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farm or land owners

Project or Activity: Water Quality Plan Training

Content or Curriculum: UK Water Quality plan

Inputs: Agent and UK website

Date: May 2018


Audience: Urban or Suburban Resident

Project or Activity: Living in a Watershed

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: UK publications, use of new Kenton County Extension facility, Sanitation District watershed park

Date: September 2017, May 2018


Audience: All residents

Project or Activity: Living Along a Stream/ Licking River Basin Coordinator Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Water Quality Plan, Kentucky Division of Water Pubs

Inputs: Agents and Kentucky Division of Water

Date: April 2018


Audience: All landowners, homeowners, residents

Project or Activity: Soil testing; Participants learn the value of avoiding non-needed fertilizers and using BMPs to reduce fertilizer runoff

Content or Curriculum: UK-lab soil testing and interpretations

Inputs: UK Regulatory Services, County Agents, UK publications

Date: Ongoing



Success Stories

Dairy Farm Recieves Grant

Author: Daniel Allen

Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program

With the decline of dairy farms in Kentucky, following the closing of the Dean milk processing facility in Louisville, it has resulted in the loss of dairy farms across the state of Kentucky.  On average, farmers spend $1.92 to produce a gallon of milk and make $1.32 when they sell it to processors. This is the fourth year in a row that farmers’ milk prices have dipped below the cost of production.  Diary Farmers like Kenton County’s EdMar is looking for any way to help off

Full Story

Renovating Feeding Sacrifice Areas

Author: Daniel Allen

Major Program: Beef

According to University of Kentucky publication ID-188 winter feeding of cattle on unfrozen ground almost always leads to mud.  Combined with feces and urine deposited around hay rings or feeding areas, it can result in an area of concentrated pollutants that post a threat to nearby water resources. The net result is pollutants to streams and loss of grazing area and weed infestation from bare areas in the spring or summer. Kenton County’s rolling terrain creates an opportunity for th

Full Story
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