Agriculture Education, Marketing, Production and Natural ResourcesPlan of Work

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Bourbon County CES

Title:
Agriculture Education, Marketing, Production and Natural Resources
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Carter, Denniston, Tackett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agriculture
Situation:

Kentucky Agricultural Facts:

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).

Situation:

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:
Intermediate Outcomes:


Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).

Indicator: Youth complete an agricultural project.

Method:  4-H Common Measures Experience Survey

Timeline: Ongoing

Intermediate Outcome:  

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Long-term Outcome:

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

Date:


Audience:   Youth

Project or Activity: Summer 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: state curriculum/agents

Inputs:agents

Date: Summer


Audience: 4th and 5th Grade Students

Project or Activity: Environmental Education Camps

Content or Curriculum: Planned by teachrs and 4-H Staff

Inputs: agents, camp staff, teachers

Date: year round


Audience: Youth and 4-H Livestock Exhibitors

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: State LVC Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Specialists, Industry Leaders

Date: Year round


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity:4-H Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: State LVC Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Specialists, Industry Leaders

Date: Year round


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H & FFA Show & Sale

Content or Curriculum: Ag Awareness and Leadership

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists, Industry Leaders

Date: September


Audience: Youth

Activity: Ag Awareness 4-H Club Program

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventure

Date: October - April


Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H Livestock Judging & Skillathons

Content or Curriculum: State LVC Curriculum

Date: November-July




Success Stories

Pumpkin Week

Author: Lois Carter

Major Program: Agriculture

Due to COVID safety restrictions, Bourbon County 4-H was unable to offer Face-to Face, hands on workshops from March 2020 through May 1, 2021. The Bourbon County Extension Office staff spent time considering how we could still reach youth and families during this time.  We decided to offer project bags for pick up.   Various project bags were distributed including activities on agriculture, horticulture, art, SET, nutrition, needlework, gardening, woodworking, holiday crafts, internati

Full Story
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