Extension
It Starts With Us
Expanding Opportunities for Technology, Sustainability, and Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Quality, Education, and Innovation
Connor Cooper, Erika Wood, Curtis Dame, Katie Jury, and Katherine Jury
Chemical Crop Management Tools
Urban Environments (water issues)
Ag Water Quality Program
4-H Health Core Curriculum
Producers, Youth, and Citizens will learn scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, environmental and technology issues in Kentucky. In addition to technology and its incorporation, other issues that clients in Hopkins County have expressed interest in include Water Quality, Pesticide Safety, and sustainable practices. Developing and implementing Agriculture Water Quality Plans and Nutrient Management Plans can help farmers stay compliant with state laws, protect water quality, improve farm operations, and maximize profits. Educational programs for agricultural producers include county producer meetings, Master Gardener classes, and community coalitions. Collaborations with conservation districts and USDA service centers will strengthen county programs and maximize opportunities for farmers.
Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air
Protect and improve water quality
Maximize profits for Agriculture producers
Educate Youth on efficient production methods
Increase understanding of various production methods
Provide localized research-based production information to aid producers in production decisions.
Volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as community gardens, youth gardening, environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices, and other topics.
Develop or update plans
•Urban Environments (water issues)
•Nutrient Management
•Implement Ag Water Quality Plans
Evaluate weather and physical conditions when making decisions
•Evaluate problem areas during seasons of challenging weather (excess rainfall, drought, etc.)
•Evaluate chemical storage, handling, and disposal
Participants (certified EMG volunteers) put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele.
Youth put into practice knowledge and skills necessary regarding sounds environmental practices.
Understand importance of clean water
Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
Demonstrate proper use of
sprayers and equipment related to application (calibration, nozzle selection, boom height, etc.)
Identify active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action
Read and comprehend directions for applying chemicals (timing, application conditions)
Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of Environmental laws, regulations and proper practices
Indicator: Surveys and certification completion
Method: Private applicator trainings and clinics
Timeline: 2019-2020
Intermediate Outcome: Increased knowledge of local production practices and roles
Indicator: Master Gardener certification and participation; BQA Certification and Master Grazer programming
Method: EMG Curriculum, Meetings and Field Days
Timeline: 2019-2020
Long-term Outcome: Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air. Increase profits for agriculture enterprises
Indicator: CEDIK Survey Data, Ag Census Data, Hay Testing Program, Farmer's Market Productivity, and Producer profitability
Method: Surveys, ON-site visits, Client adoption of practices and shared-use equipment usage rates.
Timeline: 2019-2020
Audience: Grain Crop Producers, Home Owners, and Commercial Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Trainings
Content or Curriculum: Pesticide Training Modules
Inputs: Extension Agents, County Extension Office, Shared-use demonstrations and supplies
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Spring Lawn and Garden Fair/ Community Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Efficient and Sustainable Produce Production Methods
Inputs: Hands-on Activities, Field Days, Trainings, and Certifications
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Hopkins County Youth and 4-H Members
Project or Activity: SET and Natural Resources programming
Content or Curriculum: Environment and SET Core curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Field Days and Trips
Date: 2019-2020
Author: Curtis Dame
Major Program: Grain Crops
Grain production in the Tri-County Area (McLean, Webster and Hopkins County) continues to be a major economic driver in the local area. Local agents hosted a Grain Day to showcase current demonstration yield plots and also highlight management issues faced by producers. Extension Weed and Pathology Specialists presented current research targeted toward disease and weed management issues. Following presentations agents guided producers through a nearby soybean research plot that show-cased curren
Author: John (Connor) Cooper
Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum
Over fall break Hopkins County 4-H held a series of day camps for youth who were not going anywhere for the week. The day camps that were planned were done in a manner that was not only fun for participants, but also engaged them in learning. One of the camps that we had was a SET camp where youth would be given hands on learning while preforming tasks that the enjoyed. We felt the best way to make the camp successful was to utilize the help of Torey Earle, Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Dev
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Master Gardener
In the past three years, the Pennyroyal Master Gardener Association has held a spring and fall plant swap at the Hopkins County Farmers Market. The purpose of the fall plant swap was to give the community an opportunity to come swap plants with one another. Participants brought plants they were willing to give away and then could pick from plants donated by other participants to take home. A wide range of plants were brought to the swap and included the following: herbaceous pe
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Since December 2019, gardening 101 videos have been created and posted on online social media sites such as Facebook as a way to expand horticulture education beyond traditional in-person classes. Twenty-eight gardening videos have been created to date and include topics such as houseplant identification and care, terrarium and to-go gardening bag demonstrations, tree and shrub identification and maintenance, and annual and perennial flowers. With the switch to online learning durin
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
In the summer and fall of 2019, a gardening class series was conducted at the Hopkins County Extension Office. Based on high public demand from survey results, the gardening series focused on growing different kinds of herbs. The series was split into four classes (one class per month) and discussed three herbs per class for a total in depth study of twelve herbs. The herbs discussed were the following: Sage, Mint, Lavender, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Cilantro, Parsley, Chives, Mar
