McCracken County CES

Title:

Increasing Agriculture Awareness

MAP:

Agriculture/Horticulture

Agents Involved:

Wilson, Wooley, Wimberley, Tashjian, Buckman, Baysinger

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Ag Marketing

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Sustainable Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Bees/Beekeeping

Situation:

As the years go by, more people become farther removed from the farm. Therefore, there are many that are unaware of the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives from the clothes on our backs, the fuel in our vehicles and the food on our dinner table. Unfortunately, as we become more and more removed from the agriculture industry, the greater the misconceptions. There is an important need in our community for agriculturalists to share their story, educate consumers on where their food comes from and share the truth about agriculture.

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Individuals will be able to identify and correct misconceptions within the agricultural industry.

Intermediate Outcomes:

-The number of individuals in the agriculture industry willing to "share their story" will increase.

Initial Outcomes:

-Residents will become more aware of how beneficial agriculture and agricultural practices are.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Residents will become more aware of how beneficial agriculture and agricultural practices are.
Indicator: Number of consumers reporting an increase in agriculture awareness
Method: survey, personal interviews, follow-up conversations
Timeline: ongoing

Intermediate Outcome: The number of individuals in the agriculture industry willing to "share their story" will increase.
Indicator: An increase in the number of agriculture volunteers
Method: survey
Timeline: ongoing

Long-term Outcome:-Individuals will be able to identify and correct misconceptions within the agricultural industry.
Indicator: A decrease in misconceptions
Method: survey, conversations, follow-calls
Timeline: ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Consumers
Project or Activity: educational programming: "Mythbusters" , "Find Our CommonGround",
Content or Curriculum: publications, content from commodity groups
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers,
Date: ongoing

Audience: Consumers
Project or Activity: Commodity Breakfast
Content or Curriculum: publications, volunteer's stories/experiences
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers
Date: Fall

Audience: Consumers/Youth
Project or Activity: Field Day
Content or Curriculum: publications, volunteer's stories/experiences, commodity organizations curriculum
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers
Date: Fall

Audience: Consumers
Project or Activity: Beekeeping Program
Content or Curriculum: a series of Beginning Beekeeping and Master Beekeeping programs, publications
Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers
Date: ongoing

Success Stories