Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban Forestry
Promoting Sustainability
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, A. Holt, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, M. Pearce and K. Smith
Volunteer Development
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. However, agriculture in Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky’s largest and most urban county, looks decidedly different. With a few hundred traditional farms scattered in the far south end of the county, production agriculture receipts are quite small. However, urban agriculture, home gardening and commercial horticulture are popular and growing segments. Also, with the local food and makers movements gaining momentum in Louisville/Jefferson County, the impact from food and fiber producers is great.
Equally important are natural resources. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that citizens care for and respect these resources.
Disaster preparedness is necessary for safe communities. Each year, on average, Kentuckians deal with 30-50 days associated with thunderstorms, 12 tornadoes and 3 fatalities related to tornadoes. In additions, flooding is a problem in Jefferson County, as well as other natural disasters.
• Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and agriculture.
• Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
• Youth and adults will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
• Youth and adults will place value on and advocate for water resources, protect and improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollutants.
• Youth and adults will protect and improve water, soil and air resources.
• Youth and adults will maintain or improve wildlife habitat (e.g. beneficial insects).
• Farmers will improve efficiency of manure handling, reduce environmental impacts of winter feeding areas and homeowners will reduce lawn, landscape and garden additives.
• Increased tree planting will help to maintain or decrease the “heat island effect.”
• Youth and adults are making changes in their daily lives that implement sustainable practices and home horticulture such as gardening, water conservation, recycling and an increase in community based initiatives around the same things.
• Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
• Producers implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their property or in their community.
• Youth and adults will make informed decisions on daily activities and actions that affect water quality by attending a stormwater education and training program
• Advocate for stormwater BMPs with clients and community leaders
• Develop, update and implement Ag Water Quality Plan and Nutrient Management Plan
• Residents will appreciate and improve forested areas and will increase the number of tree planted.
• Gain knowledge and skills, developing and interest in the subject matter, developing an understanding of the interdependencies of the ecosystem. Learn valuable life skills that pertain to horticulture and environmental issues.
• Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
• Youth and adults will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
• Youth and adults can define watershed, stormwater, impervious surfaces, pollutant runoff, hydrology and stream ecology
• Youth and adults can recognize the water quality issues/needs on their property, at their school, in the community
• Youth and adults can understand the benefits of native plants, non-aggressive perennials, and vegetation in the landscape
• Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil conservation
• Working with urban adjacent forestland owners to develop sustainable land practices
Initial Outcome: Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil
conservation.
Indicator: Number of homeowners who successfully deliver a soil sample
Method: Extension soil test records and vouchers
Timeline: Ongoing through the year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Indicator: An increase in youth and adults who explain the role of agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Long-term Outcome: Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and sustainable agriculture.
Indicator: An increase in the number of youth and adults that participate,
practice and advocate for sustainable horticulture and agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardeners program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener manual
Inputs: speakers, lab class, quizzes, tests, agent time
Date: May 2017 – October 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: summer programs, after school clubs
Content or Curriculum: activities, project wild, Jr MG program
Inputs: Jr. MG program curriculum
Date: July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Community Garden implementation; school garden
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications
Inputs: Master Gardener volunteers; agents; specialists;
content curriculum
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Louisville residents
Project or Activity: Rain Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Rain gardens with MSD curriculum
Inputs: Plants, agents, MSD
Date: TBD
Audience: Commercial producers
Project or Activity: GAP Training, farmers market sampling certificate,
organic certification
Content or Curriculum: Programs associated with above projects
Inputs: Farms, KDA, agents, buyers, farmers
Date: TBD
Audience: Seniors
Project or Activity: Food Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: CES publications, Plate It Up, Farmers Market
Inputs: All CES Agents, CES publications, extension
publications
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Ag Field Day
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Louisville Water Company Festival
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017 - Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Camp
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Gardening
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Clubs
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Gardening in Small Spaces
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA)
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Light Bulbs in the Home
Content or Curriculum: Home Energy Use
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Home Cleaning Products
Content or Curriculum: Household Waste Management
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Master Gardener
The Jefferson County Master Gardener program had to suspend in person classes due to Covid-19 pandemic after only its first class. However, it was reconvened in the October, with a new virtual format. All classes were presented on Zoom and for the first time students were able to receive University level education from the comfort of their homes. Classes were twice a week for 7 weeks and contained presentations on topics from the Kentucky Master Gardener Manual. There were 25 participants who co
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Pest ID
Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.Healthy Horse PasturesSeveral equine producers struggle occasionally to determine what is a safe pasture plant or a bordering tree or shrub. Kentucky has several species of plants, shrubs and trees that could potential cause negative health issues with horses. While some
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
In February of 2021, the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent (Hort. Agent) partnered with the Jefferson Co. Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to teach two sessions of a five-week-long online workshop, “Getting Your Garden Started”. A total of 60 people registered for the event and 34 of those folks attended all 5 sessions. Because the workshop series was taught on zoom, each session was recorded and uploaded to the Jefferson Co. Extension & Conversation District’s
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Community Engagement
1. Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included. The Louisville Metro Office of Community Development list more than 300 vacant lots in the city many of which are located in areas designated a Food Desert. An application to lease or purchase these lots is required along with a detailed written use. The Louisvil
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Soil testing
It has been well documented that urban residential areas potentially have high levels of heavy metals particularly lead (Pb) in their soils. Additionally, other carcinogenic toxins may be present in the soil depending on the historical use of the property or if the structure was destroyed by fire. The Ag agent has sampled many of these residential and agriculture sites to determine if the soils were suitable for food production, and safe for children. Recently soil sample test result
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
New farm business development in Jefferson County has slowed with regard to the recent pandemic, and a limited amount of support, created by an uncertain socio-economic-political environment. However, the development of Equine Therapy farms has continued to grow, serving the increased needs of Jefferson County, with the greatest number of farms being located in Eastern Jefferson County. Equine Therapy has created a need for safe and healthy indoor, and outdoor environments, for clients and
