Extension
It Starts With Us
Sustainable Agriculture
Improving Farm Practices
Drake
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Commercial
Home-Based Microprocessor Program
Leadership identifies local foods and sustainable agriculture as important areas for Extension programming. Butler County has fertile farmland and good proximity to population centers. People are interested in knowing where their food comes from.
Butler County farms are diversified and produce crops intended for fresh markets. People have more confidence in the food they feed their families.
People produce some of their own food. Small farms market locally.
Clients keep bees and sell honey.
Clientele learn to produce fruits and vegetables for their use and to sell.
Clientele learn sustainable food practices.
Clientele learn about alternative farm enterprises.
Initial Outcome: Clients keeping bees and sell honey.
Indicator: Is local honey available?
Method: Survey beekeepers.
Timeline: July 2021
Intermediate Outcome: Small farms produce food for their family's use.
Indicator: Using their own food.
Method: Interview
Timeline: June 2021
Longterm Outcome: Farms produce crops for fresh markets.
Indicator: Are horticulture crops being grown?
Method: USDA stats, Interviews
Timeline: June 2021
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activity:Bee Club Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Bee Management
Inputs: Agent and Leader Time, Volunteer Property
Date: August 2021
Audience: Commercial Vegetable/Fruit Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK materials
Inputs: UK specialist time
Date: January 2021
Audience: Homeowners/Gardeners
Project or Activity: Garden Program
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in KY
Inputs: UK publications, UK specialists, Agent time
Date: March 2021
Audience: Homeowners/Gardeners
Project or Activity: Container Garden
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in KY
Inputs: UK publications, UK specialists, Agent time
Date: March 2021
Author: Gregory Drake
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Butler County Agriculture Agent developed a Virtual Maple Syrup Workshop during the winter of 2021. The program taught clientele the basics of producing maple syrup from their own trees through a series of instructional videos and opportunities to interact with the instructor over web conferencing technology. The program was delivered by instructional videos that clients who registered for the program had access to. Clients were able to participate in the program at
