Agriculture AwarenessPlan of Work

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Hardin County CES

Title:
Agriculture Awareness
MAP:
Adopting Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Overall Well-Being
Agents Involved:
All
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Youth Fruit & Vegetable Access
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Bees/Beekeeping
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). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). A farm is defined by the United States government as “any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year.” 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 to the commonwealth. The top agricultural products produced on Kentucky farms are changing. In 2012, the Top 10 agriculture products in Kentucky were: Broilers, Corn, Horses & Mules, Soybeans, Cattle & Calves, Tobacco, Dairy Products & Milk, Wheat, Hay and Chicken Eggs (United States Department of Agriculture – Kentucky, 2012).
In order to provide agricultural education to youth, counties will either plan and conduct an Ag Day Program, designed to educate participants on the value of agriculture to Kentucky’s economy and the impact that agriculture has on their daily lives or teach Ag in the Classroom to elementary school students.
Long
Long-Term Outcomes:
Youth will:
*Be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
*Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
Intermediate Outcomes:
• Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas
of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
• 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 influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Initial Outcomes:
*Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant
sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
• Youth will gain an 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: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in areas of plant, horticulture and/or animal sciences
Indicator: Number of youth who understands the role of agriculture in the production of food and fiber
Method: 4-H Program Agriculture Written Evaluation
Timeline: Spring, late summer and/or Fall

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will set a goal and accomplish it
Indicator: Number of youth who set a goal and accomplished it
Method: 4-H Program Agriculture Written Evaluation
Timeline: Spring, late summer and/or Fall

Long-term Outcome: Youth will be advocates for agriculture while gaining and maintaining employment as result of their participation
Indicator: Number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned or improved as a result of their participation in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity
Method: 4-H program Agriculture Written Evaluation
Timeline: Spring, late summer and/or Fall
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: 4/5th grade Elementary Schools
Project or Activity: Progressive Agriculture Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: KY Farm to School
Inputs: Teachers, local business, community and agriculture leaders, farmers and extension agents
Date: September

Audience: 4-H youth 5 - 18 years of age
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Sheep, Swine Resource Handbook & Certified Livestock Volunteer Curriculum, Livestock Discovery CD
Inputs: Certified Leaders, Extension Agents, Community Business Leaders
Date: 4-H Program Year, September through August of following year

Audience: 4-H Youth 9 - 18 years of age
Project or Activity: Trailblazers 4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Basic Horse Safety manual, Horse Achievement Level 1-4, Kansas State Judging manual & DVDs, KY Certified Leaders manual, KY Horse Bowl and horse judging manual
Inputs: Certified Leaders, Extension Agents, Veterinarians & Parents
Date: 4-H program year, September through August

Audience: 4-H youth 5 - 18 years of age
Project or Activity: 4-H Dog & Rabbit Club
Content or Curriculum: Dog & rabbit Learning Labs, American Kennel Club, American Rabbit Breeders Breed ID Book
Inputs: Leaders, Extension Agents & parents
Date: 4-H Program Year, September through August of following year


Success Stories

Ag Days

Author: Bonita Jolly

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

A Kentucky farmer not only feeds their own family but an additional 155 people. The total economic impact of Kentucky agriculture production, inputs, processing and manufacturing is approximately $46.3 billion representing over 263,000 jobs. Therefore it is important that adults and school children understand how food gets from the farm gate to the dinner plate. The Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service worked with a local elementary school to begin an annual “Ag Day” even

Full Story

4H Livestock Club

Author: Douglas Shepherd

Major Program: Chemical Livestock Management Tools

Agent conducted an intensive hands-on training to 4H Livestock Club relating to all specie quality assurance programs and how they as producers are responsible for the proper care of their animals, and that they provide today's consumer with a wholesome product.  Several different animal husbandry skills were demonstrated and the youth then given the chance to actually do some animal health procedures.

Full Story
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