Pulaski County CES

Title:

Increasing Farm Profitability- NEW

MAP:

Sustainable Farms and Home Landscapes

Agents Involved:

Adkins, Wilson, Cole, Rogers

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture

Situation:

4-H

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:

4-H:

• 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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

4-H

• 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.

Initial Outcomes:

4-H:

• 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.

Evaluation:

4-H:

Initial Outcome: 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. 

Indicator: speeches, showing of animals

Method: evaluation, surveys, common measures

Timeline: year round

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will be able to explain the role agriculture in daily life and will be to use skills learned towards agriculture projects

Indicator: projects completed, show of understanding during lessons

Method: Common measures survey, observation

Timeline: year round, school year (Sept- May)

Long-term Outcome:  Youth will advocate for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production, will make well informed decisions regarding agriculture and will overall become more literate in agriculture

Indicator: increased involvement in local Ag community (4-H clubs, etc)

Method: observation, common measures survey

Timeline: year round

Learning Opportunities:

4-H

Audience: youth

Project or Activity: Country Ham project

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video

Inputs: agents, volunteers, specialists, bluegrass stockyards, UK meats lab

Date: spring-summer-fall (MLK Day-State Fair- Show & Sale)

Audience:4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: Beef, sheep, goat, swine, poultry 4-H resources

Inputs: livestock volunteers, UK specialists, local ag businesses (KNS, Ard Ridge Cattle Company, etc.)

Date: spring-fall

Audience: Youth- in schools

Project or Activity: various lessons in Ag

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adeventure, KY Ag in the Classroom, 

Inputs: agent, teachers, 

Date: September- May (school year)

Success Stories