Agriculture and Natural Resources Plan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Laurel County CES

Title:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Sigmon, Williams,Adkins,O'Bryan
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Natural Resources
Situation:

Established and new agriculture producers are looking for ways to increase farm income in order to offset the increasing price of farm inputs, high land rent, and lower prices.  It is important to educate producers on best management practices to : keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare.  Educational programs are targeted to provide producers with tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. Kentucky's population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing.  Therefore, need exists to educate people, including youth, about the importance of agriculture and its impact on their daily life, the local economy and environment.  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, the statewide household participation rate for all curbside garbage collection types was 86.6%. 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. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Sustain Kentucky agriculture • Social • Economic • Environmental 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources and agriculture in daily life

Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources.

Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations

Participants will have used Extension resources in making decisions related to production agriculture and environmental issues.

Implement best practice to:  improve soil health, conserve soil and/or water, pesticide applications and safety, IPM management strategies, pollinator protection, farm management strategies, input costs and marketing strategies to increase income, increase sustainability 


Initial Outcomes:

Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, plant and soil science, environmental sciences and natural resources content 

Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agriculture systems, environmental sustainability and stewardship

Youth will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, crtitical thinking, communication, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership

Participants will increase their knowledge: of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use, gain IPM practices, environmental sustainability, pollinator protection, utilizing different testing and diagnostic services in order to improve management and production, record keeping and financial management, animal best management practices and resources, crop productions practices and resources, and marketing strategies and resources.


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, plant and soil science, environmental sciences and natural resources content 

Indicator: increased ability and confidence in communicating, demonstrating and making decisions that pertain to agriculture, environment and resources

Method: verbal communication, formative and summative evaluations, competitions

Timeline: year round


Intermediate Outcome:Implement best practice to:  improve soil health, conserve soil and/or water, pesticide applications and safety, IPM management strategies, pollinator protection, farm management strategies, input costs and marketing strategies to increase income, increase sustainability 

Indicator: increased implementation of best practices, increased income and recordkeeping

Method: competitions, verbal communication, 6 month post program evaluations,

Timeline: year round


Long-term Outcome:Participants will increase their knowledge: of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use, gain IPM practices, environmental sustainability, pollinator protection, utilizing different testing and diagnostic services in order to improve management and production, record keeping and financial management, animal best management practices and resources, crop productions practices and resources, and marketing strategies and resources.

Indicator: decreased environmental issues, cleaner water, less pollution, increased environmental and agricultural health of Laurel County, increased farm income and decreased farm inputs

Method:  increased farm revenue, verbal communication, 

Timeline: year round

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Animal Sciences

Content or Curriculum: 4-H livestock certification kit; 4-h project books

Inputs: local school system, volunteers, extension Agents and staff

Date: Sept-July


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: : 4-H Skill-A-Thon and Judging Clinics

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Certification Kit

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KDA staff, volunteers, fair grounds, fair board, school systems

Date:September - July


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Laurel County Agricultural Fair

Content or Curriculum: 4-H and AG materials, community resources

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers, FFA Alumni, FFA, Fair Grounds, Fair Boards

Date: July


Audience: Youth

Activity: Feed A Bee Program

Content or curriculum: Feedabee.com, growingproduce.com

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers,

Date: April-May


Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H Horse Club

Content or curriculum: 4-H Horse program curriculum

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers,

Date: Monthly: September - July


Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H Eco Edventures Day Camp

Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, Project Wild, Science curriculum

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, volunteers

Date: yearly: August & September


Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Content or Curriculum: Penn State Shooting Sports curriculum; UK resources

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers

Date: February- September


Audience: Youth, Adults

Activity: Beekeepers Association

Content or curriculum: local beekeepers

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers, Extension Office, UK specialists, KDA,

Date: monthly, March-October


Audience: Adults

Activity: Gardeners Toolbox Workshop Series

Content or curriculum: UK publications and specialists

Inputs: Extension Agents, staff, Extension Office, community garden, Extension specialists,

Date: monthly


Audience: Youth

Activity: Preschool Children's Community Garden

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: community garden, Son light preschool and daycare, Master Gardener Volunteers, Extension agents and Staff,

Date: May-October


Audience: Adults, Youth

Activity: Animal Health Demo

Content or curriculum: Extension

Inputs: WTA handling facility, Animals, volunteers, cattleman, Extension Agents and staff, FFA, School System

Date: seasonal (March and October)


Audience: General Public

Activity: Kiwanis Farm City Tour

Content or curriculum: local resources

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers, local farm owners, farm industry, Kiwanis,

Date: Spring


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Reproduction Study Beef Cows

Content or Curriculum: UK Agricultural Specialists

Inputs: Cows, WTA handling facility, Farmers, Ky Beef Network

Date: Spring and Fall


Audience: Youth

Activity: FFA Livestock Club Programs

Content or Curriculum: School System

Inputs: School system, FFA, Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers, Livestock

Date: August - May


Audience: Adults Youth

Activity: Gardening 101

Contend or curriculum: UK publications, resources

Inputs: community garden, extension agents and staff, Specialists, Master Gardeners, Farm owners,

Date: April- August


Audience: Public

Activity: Local Foods Catalog

Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market and Master Gardeners

Input: Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers,

Date: Fall and Spring (yearly)


Audience:Youth

Activity: Youth Farm Field Days

Content or curriculum: UK publications, resources

Inputs: Extension agents and staff, Volunteers, farm owners, school systems

Date: spring, summer, fall


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Farm Pond Management Workshop

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KSU specialists, farm owners, equipment rental

Date: Fall and Spring


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Farm Record book Workshop

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agent and staff, farm record books and CD's, Volunteers, CPA,

Extension Office

Date: Winter


Audience: Adults

Activity: Community Garden

Demo and Teaching Garden

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, specialists, volunteers, community garden

Date: May-October


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Produce Best Management Training

Content or curriculum: KDA, UK

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Extension office

Date: Spring


Audience: Adults

Activity: Integrated Pest Management

Content or curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension Office, Volunteers

Date: Spring


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Content or curriculum: UK publications; Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension office,

Date: ongoing


Audience: Adults Youth

Activity: Urban Forestry

Content or curriculum: UK publications and specialists

Inputs: city of London, London tree Board, Extension Agents and staff, school system, Farmers Market

Date: February-March


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Pregnancy Check Clinic

Content or Curriculum: UK specialists and Agents

Inputs: Cows, Extension Agents and staff, WTA handling facilities, Cattleman, Volunteers

Date: Spring and Fall


Audience: Adults, Youth

Activity: Leadership Training Agricultural Advocate

Content and Curriculum: UK Agents, Farm Bureau

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Media specialist, Farm Bureau, Volunteers

Date: Winter


Audience: Farmers

Activity: A.I. School

Content and Curriculum: UK specialists publications

Inputs: Cows, Specialists, WTA handling facilities, Volunteers Extension Agents and staff

Date: Fall and Spring


Audience: Farmers homeowners

Activity: Rinse and Return Program

Content and curriculum KDA and UK publications

Inputs: Extension agents and staff, KDA

Date: September


Audience: Youth adults

Activity: Beginning Beekeeping School

Content and curriculum: KSU and UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KSU small farm agent, Extension office

Date: Fall and Winter


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Hemp production and establishment of receiving station

Content and curriculum: UK publications and research

Inputs: Extension Agents, GOAP, Altoa, Extension office

Date: Spring and Summer


Audience: Woodland Owners

Activity: East Ky Woodland Owners Shortcourse

Content and curriculum: UK publications, KY Foresty Dept., KY Fish and Wildlife, NRCS

Inputs: Extension Agents, KY Foresters, KY Fish and Wildlife Officers, NRCS Conservationists

Date: August


Audience:  general public

Activity: Household Waste Management:  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Content and curriculum: Household Waste Management:  Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Inputs: Extension Agents, City Recycling department

Date: ongoing using social media


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Success Stories

Beef IRM Project for Southeastern Kentucky

Author: Victor Williams

Major Program: Beef

After the loss of income from tobacco sales in our area, many Laurel County farmers shifted their focus to beef production.  As beef farming operations continue to grow, so does the need for training opportunities to help producers increase their revenues while decreasing operating expenses.  The Laurel County Cooperative Extension Service and the Laurel County Cattlemen’s Association identified a need for training opportunities in which local producers could learn the latest adv

Full Story

Open Heifer Sale

Author: Victor Williams

Major Program: Beef

Though beef cattle raised in Laurel County are of the highest quality, opportunities for marketing beef herds can be costly.  The time and expense of transporting the animals to sale facilities can cause a substantial decrease in profits.  In an ongoing effort to highlight the quality of animals available in Laurel County and offer a local sale opportunity, the Laurel County Cooperative Extension Service and the Laurel County Cattlemen’s Association conducted the eighth annual Op

Full Story

Southeast Kentucky Sheep Producers Association

Author: Victor Williams

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

According to the Kentucky Census of Agriculture, Laurel County’s ranking in sheep and goat production has risen from 77 in 2012 to 49 in 2017.  The increase in sheep production in southeastern Kentucky indicated a need for more guidance and educational resources for the producers and also for group marketing opportunities at centralized collection points. To address these needs, the Laurel County Extension Office assisted with the development of the Southeast Kentucky Sheep Produ

Full Story

Local Food Systems

Author: Bonnie Sigmon

Major Program: Local Food Systems

A strong local food system is important to Kentucky. It supports local farmers, provides fresher nutritious food items, and strengthens the economy. The Laurel County local food system includes the farmers market, food pantry, school, restaurants, and local businesses.Farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs are required to follow state and federal regulations when offering food samples, processing, and selling food items. The University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the

Full Story

Fescue Study

Author: Victor Williams

Major Program: Forages

KY-31 fescue is the most commonly used forage in Kentucky hay and pasture fields.  This variety is popular because of its ease of establishment, drought tolerance, pest resistance, and tendency to prolong grazing seasons.  However, studies have proven that KY-31 contains endophytes which can be detrimental and potentially deadly to cattle.  In warmer months, toxicity can result in moderate symptoms such as increased body temperatures, causing the animal to linger in shady spots an

Full Story
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