Increasing Agricultural Systems In Washington CountyPlan of Work

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Washington County CES

Title:
Increasing Agricultural Systems In Washington County
MAP:
Managing and Growing Environmental Agriculture and Horticulture Systems
Agents Involved:
Dennis Morgeson and Melissa Schenck
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Volunteer Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Soil testing
Situation:

The 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment reported these issues within Agriculture and Environment: less illegal dumping and littering, more market opportunities for farmers, and sustainability of family farms.  Our local advisory councils for Agriculture, Horticulture, and 4-H Youth Development contributed to this assessment.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maintain and increase family owned farms

Increased home horticulture participation 

Youth and adult program participants will be educated advocates for sustainable agriculture and food systems

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers utilize Extension resources to make fiscally sustainable decisions about farm management practices

Clientele will engage in horticultural programming and utilize research-based knowledge

4-H clientele will apply skills and knowledge in the production of agricultural commodities and environmental practices 

Initial Outcomes:

Increased awareness and availability of research-based Extension resources, including cost share opportunities through the Governor's Office of Agriculture Policy Funding

Learn the most successful varieties to plant in Washington County, including proper planning, planting dates, and management

Community members will receive trainings, certifications, and accreditations in agriculture and natural resources programming 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased awareness and availability of research-based Extension resources, including cost share opportunities through the Governor's Office of Agriculture Policy Funding

Indicator: Increased use of Extension resources and programming

Method: monitoring participation in CAIP, YAIP, and Next Generation Farmers

Timeline: annually


Intermediate Outcome: Producers utilize Extension resources to make fiscally sustainable decisions about farm management practices

Indicator: Increased soil testing in the community

Method: monitoring the numbers of soil tests

Timeline: bi-annually 


Long-term Outcome: Increased home horticulture participation 

Indicator: Increased participation in Wheelbarrow Series

Method: sign up sheets and registration

Timeline: bi-annually 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Washington and Surrounding Counties

Project or Activity: Wheelbarrow Series

Content or Curriculum: Cooperative Extension Publications and Research

Inputs: Extension Funding, Fees from participants, Extension Staff

Date: February through November 


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Country Ham, Livestock Projects, Horse Projects, Horticulture, School Based Programming

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculums

Inputs: Extension resources, Fees, Volunteers, Extension Staff

Date: throughout the year, depending on the project


Audience: Washington County Farmers

Project or Activity: Meetings, Educational Activities, and Programs

Content or Curriculum: Extension resources

Inputs: Extension resources and specialists

Date: as needed, corresponding with cost share opportunities



Success Stories

Teen Leadership Washington County Agriculture Industry Day

Author: Melissa Schenck

Major Program: Agriculture

Teen Leadership Washington County Agriculture Industry Day

The Washington County Extension Office worked in partnership with the Washington County High School Gifted and Talented program to facilitated Teen Leadership Washington County Agriculture Industry day. Seventeen selected high school juniors were selected to participate in the program. In Agriculture Industry Day youth toured a state-of-the-art high-tunnel confinement cow-calf operation and a Kentucky Proud apiary. Speakers included a representatives from agriculture lending and the niche hemp m

Full Story

Gardening Popularity During Pandemic Causes Class Series To Expand

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Gardener’s Wheelbarrow Series has been and continues to be the most popular class series in Washington County pertaining to Horticulture.  During the Pandemic all classes have gone virtual however interest is still at an all time high.  For the 2020-2021 series an evaluation was done via Facebook to determine class topics. This program year there were 30 class topics with new needs determined by the evaluation such as “Best Landscape Trees”, “Saving Seeds&rd

Full Story

A "Peek" inside Agricultural education

Author: Melissa Schenck

Major Program: Agriculture

When the new year came and Covid-19 restrictions continued to wreak havoc on traditional programs the Washington County 4-H program knew that some creative solutions would have to be implemented. The traditional classroom incubation program, for example, would be difficult to manage when entire grades could be quarantined overnight. Instead, the Washington County Extension office worked to create an incubation program that would allow for live interaction with the incubator from the comfort of h

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Horticulture How To

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

After doing a few hands on Horticulture videos at the beginning of the pandemic it was determined through online evaluations that clientele wanted more hands on or how to videos on various horticultural topics.  This need grew into an ongoing video program called Horticulture How To.  Several videos have been made since and uploaded to the Washington County Horticulture You Tube Channel and the Washington County Facebook Page all linked to the Washington County Extension Website. Thus

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Cost Share Programs Help Farmers

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The Washington County Agriculture Development Board approved $245,000 to use for County Agriculture Investment Program and the Next Generation Farmer Program in 2021. These programs are 50/50 cost share programs with participants spending $5000.00 and receiving $2500.00 from the program they participated. There were two informational meetings administered by the Horticulture Agent and Program Administrator explaining the program requirements.  One of the requirements for receiving monies is

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