Youth in AgriculturePlan of Work

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Warren County CES

Title:
Youth in Agriculture
MAP:
Increasing Agriculture Awareness & Profitability
Agents Involved:
Janet Turley & Julie Brown
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Volunteer Programming
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
4-H Health Core Curriculum
Situation:

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). Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person in Kentucky is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, work places and vehicles. People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production – these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations. In agriculture and conservation techniques youth are using to learning scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, engineering and technology issues in Kentucky and globally. Through the Land Grant University and Extension system, 4-H can expand its impact and extend its reach in science, engineering and technology (4-H SET) by providing opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs and school programs. 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 and conservation to the commonwealth.

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.

•Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.

•You will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.

•Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.

•Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the agriculture and natural resources in the home, community and world.

•Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community that will positively impact natural resources.

•Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.

•Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in agriculture and science, engineering and technology with others.

•Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers.

•Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

•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 practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.

Initial Outcomes:

•Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies.

•Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

•Youth will be introduced to careers in SET and agriculture.

•Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

•Youth will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.

•Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision- making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge in animal science, and conservation

Indicator: Number of youth participating in 4-H livestock and horse activities and SET projects

Method: Enrollment in projects and clubs

Timeline: July 2019 - June 2020



Intermediate Outcomes: Youth apply their knowledge and skills by competing in livestock and horse contest, forestry field day, and completing SET projects

Indicator: Number of youth earning top ten awards at local, district and state competitions

Method: Number of youth competing in competitions

Timeline: July 2016-June 2020



Long-term Outcomes: Youth becoming owners of their own livestock/horse operation and/or adopting a career in the agriculture, science, engineering, & technology, or conservation industry.

Indicator: Number of youth livestock owners and number of 4-H alumni who enter the workforce in the career field

Method: Word of mouth, observation, and survey

Timeline: On going


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Poultry Project Members

Project or Activity: Poultry Club Members

Content or Curriculum: Avian Bowl & Poultry Judging

Inputs: Volunteer time, poultry learning lab, project books, facilities

Date: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020


Audience: 4-H Horse Project Members

Project or Activity: Horse Club Meetings/Ride Nights/Competitions/Banquet

Content or Curriculum: Horsemanship, Hippology, Judging, Exhibition, Certified

Leaders Curriculum, Showmanship, Horse Judging

Manual, Award Recognition

Inputs: Agent’s Time, Judging Classes, Judging Cards, Computer Announcer,

Written Tests, Ribbons, Staff Assistant’s Time, volunteer time, horse

learning lab, project books, facilities

Date: July 1, 2019– June 30, 2020


Audience: 4-H Livestock Project Members

Project or Activity: Livestock Project Club

Content or Curriculum: Livestock Volunteer Certification, judging, skillathon,

exhibition, meats judging

Inputs: Volunteer time, livestock learning lab, project books, facilities, livestock CD,

live animals

Date: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020


Audience: 4-H/FFA Livestock Project Youth

Project or Activity: SoKY Fair Beef, Sheep, Goat, Swine, Alpaca, Poultry &

Rabbit Shows

Content or Curriculum: Showmanship, market animal classes

Inputs: Coordination for each show, volunteers, registration, data entry, results,

facilities

Date: July 2019


Audience: School Aged Youth

Project or Activity: Forestry Education Program

Content or Curriculum: project books, compasses, Biltmore stick

Inputs: Agent’s Time, facilities

Date: Fall 2019


Audience: 4-H Campers

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: West KY 4-H Camp Resources

Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time, facilities, volunteer time, copies

Date: July 2019


Audience: Elementary School Children

Project or Activity: Embryology

Content or Curriculum: Project book, Chick development chart

Inputs: Agent’s Time, teacher’s time, incubation supplies, producers

Date: August 2019 – May 2020


Audience: Warren County 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Content or Curriculum: Shooting Sports Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteer’s time, facilities, 4-H handbook, promotion items, project book

Date: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020



Success Stories

4-H Member becomes “Game Show” Host

Author: Janet Turley

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

Flocks Feud was the game show that Anna Sweets, Warren County 4-H Member, created when she entered in the National 4-H Turkey Barbeque Contest at the National 4-H Poultry Contest in Louisville in November 2019.  Anna competed in the Turkey Barbeque contest where she tested her barbeque skills in a national run-off of award winning 4-H barbeque talent from around the nation.  In addition to testing her barbeque skills she also had to demonstrate her knowledge of the poultry industry. &n

Full Story

4-H Members Learn Equine Careers

Author: Janet Turley

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

4-H Members Learn Equine Careers

Farriers, veterinarians, trainers….these are the familiar trades of the equine industry.   But, how many 4-H members know about other careers in the equine industry such as community and public relations director, consulting firms, directors of therapeutic centers or careers in the racing industry? Nearly 120 4-H members, club leaders and parents from across the state had the unique opportunity to learn about equine careers at the 4-H Hippology Event hosted by the District 6 4-H Hors

Full Story

Pandemic Leads to Virtual Horse Judging and Hippology Contests

Author: Janet Turley

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

The pandemic of 2020 led to massive event cancellations including many 4-H events. The District 6 4-H Hippology and Horse Judging Contests were events that had to get cancelled due to COVID-19.  Instead of cancelling the contests, this reporting agent came up with a way to conduct the contests virtually.  By doing so, 4-H members were able to continue their 4-H horse project with some sort of “normalcy” in an environment that was anything but “normal”. The 4-H m

Full Story
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