Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing Agriculture and Local Food Awareness
Increasing Agriculture and Local Food Awareness
Hardy, Heisdorffer, FCS Agent, Dunn, Potts
4-H Volunteer Programming
Sustainable Agriculture
Local Food Systems
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
People have misconceptions about the food consumed in the Unites States and the agricultural practices used to produce it. Fearmongering, marketing campaigns, social media catchphrases and coalitions of all food groups have increased the divide between research and value based decisions. Agricultural producers and food consumers are often at the front of discussions with friends, peers and community members in which the fact and fiction of food processes and agricultural practices are often blurred. Our role in cooperative extension is to provide the resources and information necessary for consumers to make informed decisions regarding the food items they select for their families and to also become aware of research based resources they can use in discussion with individuals motivated by values to discount the value of food resources available. Likewise, agricultural practices are often the focus of organizations and individuals either uninformed about modern agricultural technologies or motivated by other reasons to discount modern agricultural efficiencies. Our role in extension is to increase public awareness of modern agricultural practices and educate agricultural clientele on how to engage in conversation that supports their efforts.
Positive agricultural development and a healthier community by basing consumer food choices on dietary necessity rather than idealistic objectives. Consumption of local foods will increase and agriculture will be recognized for the economic importance for Daviess County while using environmentally conscious production practices. Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise. Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Clientele will implement purchasing decisions based on nutritional qualities. Agricultural clientele will recognize consumer trends in the market place and implement crop rotation to meet the specific demands. 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 set a goal and accomplish it.
Consumers will gain understanding of definitions and terms used in the food industry and in agricultural production. Producers and agricultural input suppliers will develop strategy to promote transparency in production and policy. Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, record-keeping and leadership. Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Clientele will learn about agricultural and food systems terminology and trends
Method: Survey Evaluation
Timeline: Summer 2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Community engagement based on increased food and agricultural awareness
Method: Observation
Timeline: 2020
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Increased purchasing and sales of locally produced agricultural products
Method: Client and Vendor Surveys
Timeline: 2020/2021
Audience: Families
Project or Activity: Ag appreciation night
Content or Curriculum: Friday after Five
Inputs: 4-H, ANR, Hort, local agriculture businesses
Date: August 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Food Science 101
Content or Curriculum: Animal Science Curriculum, KY Farm to School
Inputs: 4-H, FCS, ANR, Hort
Date: 2020-2021 School year
Audience: Adult Consumers
Project or Activity: Rooster Booster
Content or Curriculum: Understanding agriculture
Inputs: 4-H, FCS, ANR, Hort, Chamber of commerce
Date: February 2020
Audience: Adult Males
Project: Community Garden
Content or Curriculum: NEP Resources
Inputs: NEP Assistants, Ag Agent, FCS Agent, Horticulture Agent, Horticulture Technician
Date: Summer/Fall 2019, Spring 2020
Audience: Girls Inc Rolling Heights
Project: Harvest Owensboro Garden
Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardener: Learn, Grow, Eat, Go!
Inputs: 4-H, ANR, Hort, SNAP-Ed assistant
Date: January - December 2019
Audience: General Public
Project: Ag Expo - Plate It Up KY Proud
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up KY Proud
Inputs: GRA FCS Agents
Date: January 2020
Author: Clinton Hardy
Major Program: Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
The Daviess County Extension Agent for Agriculture participated in a unique youth engagement program that provided an opportunity to reach young adult students of UK. The responsibility was to convey first hand knowledge of production agriculture in Kentucky as it relates to international trade. The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment conducted the Argentina Agribusiness Experience this past spring semester of which I served as a co-instructor, attending each of the schedule
