Strengthening Knowledge and Awareness of Agriculture and Horticulture in Franklin CountyPlan of Work

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Franklin County CES

Title:
Strengthening Knowledge and Awareness of Agriculture and Horticulture in Franklin County
MAP:
Enhancing Urban Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and Municipal Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
K. Bishop, A. Leonberger, K. Perry, T. Thomas, E. Chavous, T. Caiborn
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

To continue improving ANR and HORT practices while diversifying enterprises and educating those new to rural life and those removed from farming for several generations. Franklin County has lost almost 50% of its farms (NASS) over the past 50 years. The result is a population that is more removed from the farm, food production and a more active outdoor lifestyle. Roughly half the farmers hold off-farm jobs (NASS) and are the average age of farmers is 58. The current children of farm families are looking to other industries for careers and choosing not to return to the farm. The majority of the people who are starting farms are more often not from a farming background. Existing farms are fairly traditional and looking to diversify and improve on current enterprises. These new producers from non-farming backgrounds are in need of basic knowledge and education on the subjects as well as information on new/upcoming regulations and certifications. The Hort Council, ANR Council, 4-H Council and the Community Forum identified the need to support these issues.

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers and landowners will begin to properly plan for the near and long term future, for example, Estate Planning and Farm Transitioning. Rural residents and families can begin to adapt to small scale farming or a rural lifestyle instead of "subdivision" life on a large "lot" in the country. Farms can be passed along in a desirable and planned fashion (to younger farmer, for conservation, for rural housing). Existing farms operate in a sustainable, progressive manner. Rural residents have basic knowledge of the principles of agriculture, horticulture, wildlife, natural resources to thoroughly enjoy a rural life that is healthy and productive for their family, the community, and the environment. Youth will enjoy experiences to gardening, wildlife and animal husbandry for a healthier and well-rounded lifestyle. The average age of farmers will decrease as farm children and new young adults enter into the field of agriculture.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers and landowners will begin to properly plan for the near and long term and not just react to personal, economic and social conditions. Rural residents and families can begin to adapt to small scale farming or a rural lifestyle instead of "subdivision" life on a large "lot" in the country. Youth participate in 4-H traditional programming offerings, exhibiting livestock and the local county fairs. More small orchards, gardens, small livestock are being seen as well as an increase in food preservation requests. More people are certified in GAP, home-based processing and micro-processing. Farm City Field Day's will begin highlighting these changes to farming in Franklin County.

Initial Outcomes:

An increase in extension programs, trainings and certifications. Producers understand their options, not only for potential on-farm enterprises but also long-term estate and land-use planning and ask for more information. Youth are aware of options for modern agriculture and horticulture activities, even if they do not live on a farm or own animals or land. Rural homeowners appreciate and understand their surroundings, farm neighbors, and farming activities. The rural population feels comfortable utilizing newly learned skills to initiate an agriculture lifestyle.


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased participation in Extension programs, trainings and certifications.

Indicator: Statistics, County Attendance Rosters

Method: Collection of Data

Timeline: Bi-Monthly


Intermediate Outcome: An understanding and appreciation of the outdoors, natural surroundings and rural life.

Indicator: Increase in Agritourism; requests for food and gardening programming, increase in 4-H Livestock and other modern agriculture programs.

Method: Survey, Observation, Statistics

Timeline: Annually


Long-term Outcome: Children gain new skills and knowledge of farming, gardening and nature. Farm ownership is being sustainability managed.

Indicator: Greater participation in camping and other outdoor programming and traditional 4-H agriculture programs; Farm ownership stabilizes or increases.

Method: Survey, Program Statistics, Census, NASS

Timeline: Annually, On years Census and NASS comes out.

Outcome to be Evaluated

Method of Evaluation 


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth & 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Youth & 4-H Education/General

Content or Curriculum: Livestock Club; 4-H Animal Science Curriculum; Gardening/Horticulture Project Days, Farm Tours (Ag-Tourism), Farm to School programs, County Fair Entries, 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale

Inputs: FFA Advisors, 4-H Agents, Farmers, Cattleman's, KDA, Extension Master Gardeners, Livestock Leaders

Date: Year Around


Audience: Winter School Participants

Project or Activity: Winter School

Content or Curriculum: Tobacco, Beef, Equine, Poultry, Large Production Vegetable farming, grape/wine industry, fruit production, commercial lawn & landscape management, woodland & forestry, beekeeping, aquaculture, organic farming, season Extension

Inputs: Extension Specialists, Farmers/Operators that are using best practices, Extension Agents, Industry Specialists

Date: February/March Annually


Learning Opportunities/Programs for Agents

Inputs: 4-H Agent, volunteers, State Specialists

Date: September-August


Audience: Community Members

Project or Activity: Farm City Field Day/Farm City Banquet, Cattlemen's meetings

Content or Curriculum: On Farm Demonstrations, Farmers/Farm History, Modern and Traditional Ag/Hort Practices, Awards for Excellence, Exposure of Ag/Hort Students, FFA Students, 4-H Members to traditions/history/new practices and technology.

Inputs: Host Farm/Farmer Amenities, Chamber of Commerce, Extension Specialists, Community Organizations, Extension Organizations, Environmental and Farming Businesses and Organizations, Local Media.

Date: April and July Annually; quarterly


Audience: Franklin County Fair Participants/Fair Goers/Community Members

Project or Activity: Livestock Shows, Floral Hall, Exhibits/ ETC

Content or Curriculum: Classes, newspaper and newspaper articles about Fair and how to exhibit; classes to assist with making appropriate items to enter; support fair board.

Inputs: Extension Agents; Fair Board; 4-H & FFA; Homemaker Leaders; Master Gardner's; Garden Club Educators;

Date: May-July Annually



Success Stories

Cattlemen's Face Book Page

Author: Keenan Bishop

Major Program: Beef

A new (young) Franklin County Cattlemen's Board member was interested in creating a Face Book page for the local association. He wanted a way to share information such as meetings and educational opportunities as well as a way for members to post if cows were out, lost or found or broken down while hauling cattle etc. Very few of the board members were on social media (1) and therefore couldn't help or advise.The Franklin County ANR agent and he got together to create a prototype for a t

Full Story

Training new orchard manager

Author: Adam Leonberger

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

During January 2021, a local orchard hired a new farm manager. The new manager has previous experience working with grapes and vineyard management, but lacked knowledge of tree fruit management.  The orchard has over a 100 apple trees and 200 blackberry bushes that needed to be properly pruned to ensure years of production.  The Franklin County Horticulture agent coordinated with the Extension Fruit Specialist to visit the farm and teach the new manager how to properly prune the trees

Full Story

Franklin County Fair

Author: Keenan Bishop

Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

The Franklin County Fair was cancelled for 2020 due to the pandemic. The fair board disagreed on that decision and fractured. As a result, the majority of the board and executive officers resigned.An executive officer and a couple young, less experienced board members as well as non-board members wanted to resurrect the Fair for 2021. They asked Extension to guide them through the process to reestablish the board and start the 2021 fair planning process.Extension guided them through meeting plan

Full Story

Country Ham Program

Author: Krista Perry

Major Program: Agriculture

As technology continues to advance rapidly and become easily accessible, young people’s written and verbal communication skills continue to lack, which are important life skills they need to acquire; also, their knowledge about agriculture and where their food comes from has declined; therefore, the Franklin County 4-H program conducts the 4-H Country Ham Project where youth gain these life skills and knowledge.  The 4-H Country Ham Project also teaches 4-H members about food preserva

Full Story

Master Gardener's successfully transitioned to an online plant market

Author: Adam Leonberger

Major Program: Master Gardener

 In order to supply affordable plants to the community, the Capital Area Extension Master Gardeners have held an annual plant sale for over 12 years.  The Covid-19 pandemic has lead to an explosion of homeowners that started gardening that made this effort especially important.  This sale not only provides county residents access to affordable plants, but also raises funds for their outreach activities and two academic scholarships for students studying horticulture degrees.The Ca

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