Extension
It Starts With Us
Sustainable Agriculture Education
Sustainable Livestock System
Reiss Baxter, Meagan Klee, FCS Agent
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Natural Resources
Agriculture
Beekeeping
Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves (USDA ERS, 2020). Kentucky agricultural sales in 2018 were reported at $5.9 billion (USDA ERS, 2020). Of the 75,966 farms in Kentucky, over 90% are individually or family owned. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019).
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is 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.
Casey County is a rural community placed in south central Kentucky with 63% identified as farm land. There are a total of 1,118 farms with an average size of 160 acres. With 92.8% of these farms being operated by a family or individual, continued agriculture education is imperative.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Youth will be environmentally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.
- Youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life.
- Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content.
- Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
- Long-Term
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming.
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H natural resource programming.
- Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resources.
- Number of youth who participated in overnight, 4-H summer camp(s).
- Number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location.
- Number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H non-environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location (i.e. project day camps, etc).
Intermediate
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?”
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
- Number of youth who plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
Initial
- Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products.
- Number of youth who have gained an understanding of ecosystems in Kentucky.
Audience: Casey County Youth
Project/Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content/Curriculum: ATV Safety Curriculum, additional safety resources
Input: In collaboration with Casey County School Systems, Cattlemen’s Association, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, and the local FFA Chapter. Students will participate in a day camp consisting of PTO Safety, ATV Safety, Storm Safety, Lawn Mower Safety, and Grain Bin Rescue. Students will also hear from first responders: law enforcement with K-9 unit, paramedics, fire department with the smoke house, and flight nurses.
Date: April
Audience: 4-H Members
Project/Activity: 4-H Livestock Program
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum
Input: Members attend monthly educational meetings and field trips and apply skills to shows and competitions.
Date: September – August
Audience: 4-H Members
Project/Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum
Input: Participants will learn the ham curing process through hands-on instruction. Participants will learn desirable qualities in a good ham and deliver a well-composed speech at the Kentucky State Fair. Participants will be given the choice to auction their State Fair ham at the Annual Farm Bureau Meeting.
Date: January - October
Audience: Casey County Students
Project/Activity: Farm Bureau National Ag Week & Ag Literacy Week
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Agricultural Resources
Input: Cooperative Extension in partnership with Farm Bureau will provide in-school lessons related to agriculture.
Date: Spring
Audience: Casey County 4th Graders
Project/Activity: Overnight Environmental Education Camp
Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground
Input: Students will attend an overnight camp at 4-H Camp focusing on environmental education. Students will learn about mammals, bird adaptation, rock identification, energy, tree identification all while experiencing a taste of 4-H Camp.
Date: Spring
Audience: 4th Graders
Project/Activity: In-School 4-H Clubs/Enrichment
Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground
Input: Students will learn about science and natural resources through hands-on activities.
Date: September – April
Audience: 4-H Members
Project/Activity: Shooting Sports Club
Content/Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports
Input: Members will practice firearms safety while improving accuracy and precision when shooting. Members will compete in competitions to test their skills and prepare for the State Shoot in September. Members will shoot Trap, Rifle and Pistol.
Date: March - October
