Teaching Sound Environmental Practices
Improving Natural Resources
Drake, Cowles, Saylor
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Chemical Management
Integrated Pest Management
Natural Resource conservation is crucial for a community to be sustainable. Butler County’s natural resources include fertile farmland, hardwood timber, beautiful rural landscape, and miles of streams and rivers. Youth of today will become the stewards of our environment in 20 years. County leadership has identified clean water, forestry, and proper chemical use and safety as priorities.
Butler County’s environment will be managed properly. People will value the environment and understand its importance for the growth of our community.
Clients adopt practices that conserve natural resources. Clients manage property in an environmentally friendly manner. Community puts value on resource conservation.
Clients learn to improve management practices for their forests. Pesticide applicators are trained. Homeowners learn to safely use pesticides.
Initial Outcome: Community values resource conservation
Indicator: Conservation District adequately funded
Method: Monitor funding levels in county budget
Timeline: July – one each year
Intermediate Outcome: Pesticide applicators are trained
Indicator: Number of applicators trained each year
Method: Tabulate numbers from PAT classes and SOKY Pesticide
Timeline: April 2020 and January 2021
Long-Term Outcome: Clients manage resources properly
Indicator: Number of clients adopting improved forestry practices
Method: Follow up
Timeline: June 2021
Audience: Pesticide Applicators
Project or Activity: Private Applicator training
Content or Curriculum: Training materials from UK Entomology
Inputs: Agent time, Extension facility
Date: February and March 2021
Audience: Pesticide Applicators
Project or Activity: SOKY Pesticide for Commercial Applicators
Content or Curriculum: Pesticide Management and Safety
Inputs: UK specialist time, industry professional presenters time
Date: December 2020
Audience: Families
Project or Activity: Healthy Homes
Content or Curriculum: Help yourself to a healthy home
Inputs: UK specialist time, agent time
Date: fall 2020, Spring 2021
Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H, Shooting Sports, Hunter Education
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum, 4-H Shooting Sports, Hunter Education
Inputs: Agent time, volunteer time
Date: March – September 2021
Author: Gregory Drake
Major Program: Chemical Management
Application of crop protection chemicals and lawn/landscape chemicals is an important industry in South Central Kentucky. Professional applicators must receive training to stay current on issues, pests, techniques, and safety for the products they apply. They need to receive continuing education to maintain their applicator license. Due to covid many applicators had a difficult time finding training opportunities as most field days or trainings were cancelled during 2020.