Increasing Agricultural Production and OpportunitiesPlan of Work

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Graves County CES

Title:
Increasing Agricultural Production and Opportunities
MAP:
Increasing Agricultural Production and Opportunities
Agents Involved:
Chadwick, Ag Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Soil testing
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Plant Disease ID
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
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). Youth need to know where their food comes from and producers need help from the Extension Service to access services to produce their crops effectively.

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

Producers will increase agricultural production and opportunities

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

Producers will implement best practices from agricultural tests and education

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 

Producers will access services and education provided by the Extension Office

Evaluation:

Outcome: Youth will participate in agriculture education

Indicator: Youth will complete an agricultural project

Method: 4-H Common Measures

Timeline: Ongoing projects


Outcome: Producers will implement best practices

Indicator: Producer testing and actions

Method: Producer interviews

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Projects

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventure, Livestock Curriculum, Dog Curriculum, Rabbit Curriculum, Poultry Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, 4-H Agent, Community Partners

Date: Ongoing projects


Audience: Conservation Ag Day

Project or Activity: 4-H Agriculture Curriculum

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventure, Livestock Curriculum, Dog Curriculum, Rabbit Curriculum, Poultry Curriculum

Inputs: Conservation, Volunteers, 4-H Agent, Community Partners

Date: Fall 2020


Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: Livestock Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, 4-H Agent, Community Partners

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: Horse Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, 4-H Agent, Community Partners

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Club

Content or Curriculum: Rabbit and Poultry Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, 4-H Agent, Community Partners

Date: 2020-2021


Audience: Agricultural producers

Project or Activity: Extension testing services

Content or Curriculum: Soil testing, hay testing, plant testing, plant disease identification, poultry litter sampling

Inputs: Ag Agent, Labs, Extension, Specialists

Date: Ongoing



Success Stories

County Fair Features a Revival of 4-H Livestock Shows

Author: Kelsey Chadwick

Major Program: Agriculture

County Fair Features a Revival of 4-H Livestock Shows

The Graves County 4-H Livestock Club partnered with the Purchase District Fair to revive 4-H Livestock Shows in 2020. It had been many years since livestock shows had been held in the county. There were 29 exhibit entries, 12 goat show entries, 8 cattle show entries, 12 swine show entries, 6 rabbit show entries, and 6 poultry show entries.  A sheep show was also offered to the surrounding counties. 4-H Livestock Club teens worked together to announce winners, classes, and pass out ribbons.

Full Story
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