Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth Agriculture Education
Agriculture
4-H, FCS, ANR
4-H Volunteer Programming
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
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).
Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
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.
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.
Initial Outcome:The number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.
Indicator: participation, project books, evaluation, 6 hrs. of education completed
Method: completion of above, observation, and youth/volunteer evaluations
Timeline: 2019-2020
Intermediate Outcome: The number of youth that keep production, performance or financial records on their 4-H agriculture projects.
Indicator: record books, evaluation,
Method: observation, completion and continuation of projects,
Timeline: 2019-2020
Long-term Outcome: Number of youth who understands the role of agriculture in the production of food and fiber.
Indicator: records, evaluation, project outcomes, roles in agriculture production
Method: record books, completion of 6hrs. observation,
Timeline: throughout the course of the project 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Livestock members
Project or Activity: Monthly meetings
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Cert. materials
Inputs: agent, volunteers, teen leaders
Date: monthly meetings October 2019-May 2019
Audience: 1st graders in Bracken Co.
Project or Activity: Farm to Table
Content or Curriculum: Farm to School, My Plate materials, Professor Popcorn
Inputs: 4-H/FCS agents, teachers,
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 3rd graders
Project or Activity: Chickens/Embryology
Content or Curriculum: UK/4-H Resources
Inputs: 4-H agent, teachers, school staff
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 6th-11th Grade
Project: Agriculture in Classroom
Content: UK/KDA Resources
Inputs: 4-H Agent
Date: 2019-2020
Author: David Appelman
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
With extremely wet winter weather in recent years, stress on livestock is becoming more and more problematic. Losses from illness, low productivity, poor reproduction, and even death loss have taken a toll on many herds across the state. Understanding the methods and values of forage testing are critical to livestock health and performance and combating stress.A workshop was held on farm to show area 4-H youth from Mason, Robertson and Bracken Counties, how to correctly sample hay. &
Author: Molly Jordan
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Kentucky 4-H has rich roots in preserving time-honored traditions and educating our young people on such traditions. One such tradition supported through the 4-H program is the Country Ham Project. In Bracken County, this project has not been active for around seven plus years. After surveying 4-H participants in October, the 4-H Country Ham project was brought back by popular demand. By participating in this value added project, youth also learn the process, history and science of food pre
