Marion County CES

Title:

Creating Agriculture Awareness

MAP:

Creating agriculture awareness and developing marketable skills

Agents Involved:

Danielle Ford, Christan Miracle

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

4-H Volunteer Programming

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, Marion County will 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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.

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, recordkeeping,

leadership and service.

Evaluation:

• 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.

• The number of youth that keep production, performance or financial records on their 4-H

agriculture projects.

• Number of youth who set a goal and accomplish it.

• Number of youth who understands the role of agriculture in the production of food and fiber.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Marion County 5th Graders

Project or Activity: 4-H Farm to Fork Field Day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag. Curriculum

Inputs: Local volunteers, Ag Mini Grant, commodity groups etc.

Audience: Marion County 4th Graders

Project or Activity: Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Safety Day Curriculum

Inputs: Local volunteers, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Safety Day grant etc.