McCracken County Agriculture Education Plan of Work

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McCracken County CES

Title:
McCracken County Agriculture Education
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education
Agents Involved:
Osborne, Wimberley, Anderson, FCS
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Situation:

1. Kentucky is home to 75,966 farms, with McCracken County representing 318 of the total farms in the Commonwealth (National Agriculture Statistics Service, 2017). The average farm size in Kentucky 171 acres, compared to the national average of 444 acres (National Agriculture Statistics Services, 2017.) Between 2000 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). Since 2012, this percentage has continued to decline (Census of Agriculture, 2017). A farm is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agriculture products during the census year. While KY population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on our daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the Commonwealth. The top agriculture products produced on Kentucky farms are changing. In 2015, the top 10 agriculture products were: broilers, cattle and calves, horses and other livestock, soybeans, corn, tobacco, hay, milk, eggs and wheat (USDA-KY, 2017).

In order to provide agricultural education to youth, counties will either plan and conduct an Ag Day Program, designed to educate participants on the value of agriculture to Kentucky’s economy and the impact that agriculture has on their daily lives or teach Ag in the Classroom to elementary school students.


2.  As the years go by, more people become farther removed from the farm. Therefore, there are many that are unaware of the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives from the clothes on our backs, the fuel in our vehicles and the food on our dinner table. Unfortunately, as we become more and more removed from the agriculture industry, the greater the misconceptions. There is an important need in our community for agriculturalists to share their story, educate consumers on where their food comes from and share the truth about agriculture.

Long-Term Outcomes:

1. 

• Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.

• Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.

• Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.


2. 

-Individuals will be able to identify and correct misconceptions within the agricultural industry.

Intermediate Outcomes:

1.  

• Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas

of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.

• Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.

• Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

• Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.

• Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.

• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.


2. 

-The number of individuals in the agriculture industry willing to "share their story" will increase.

-The number of individuals approaching sustainable agriculture increases

Initial Outcomes:

1. 

• Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant

sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.

• Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.

• Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record- keeping, leadership and service.


2.

 -Residents will become more aware of how beneficial agriculture and agricultural practices are.

Evaluation:

1. 

Initial Outcome: The number of youth who learn a skill by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.

Indicator: Number of youth enrolled in ag-related program

Method: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs and 4-H Ag Curriculum


Timeline: School year


Intermediate Outcome: The number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.

Indicator: Numbers of youth who demonstrate ag-related skills

Method: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs and 4-H Ag Curriculum

Timeline: School year: August to May


Long-term Outcome: Implementation of gained agricultural skills obtained through Extension services

Indicator: Number of youth who implement ag programs

Method: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs and 4-H Ag Curriculum, Entrepreneurship

Timeline: School calendar year


2. 

Initial Outcome: Residents will become more aware of how beneficial agriculture and agricultural practices are.

Indicator: Number of consumers reporting an increase in agriculture awareness

Method: survey, personal interviews, follow-up conversations

Timeline: ongoing


Intermediate Outcome: The number of individuals in the agriculture industry willing to "share their story" will increase.

Indicator: An increase in the number of agriculture volunteers

Method: survey

Timeline: ongoing


Long-term Outcome:-Individuals will be able to identify and correct misconceptions within the agricultural industry.

Indicator: A decrease in misconceptions

Method: survey, conversations, follow-calls

Timeline: ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

1. 

Project or Activity: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag Curriculum

Inputs: UK and KSU Agents, volunteers, Specialists

Date: Year Round



Audience: Youth 9 to 19 years of age

Project or Activity: "Grow it, Eat it, Wear it"

Content or Curriculum: Agent-developed curriculum

Inputs: UK and KSU Agents, volunteers, Specialists

Date: Spring to Summer


Audience: Youth 9 to 19 years of age

Project or Activity: "Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go"

Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardner Curriculum and Agent-developed curriculum

Inputs: UK and KSU Agents, volunteers, Specialists

Date: School Year


Audience:  Youth 9 to 19 years of age

Project or Activity:  "Vegetable Gardening"

Content or Curriculum:  Agent-developed curriculum

Inputs:  UK & KSU, Extension Agents, Volunteers & Specialists


2. 

Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: educational programming: "Mythbusters" , "Find Our CommonGround",

Content or Curriculum: publications, content from commodity groups

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers,

Date: ongoing


Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: Commodity Breakfast

Content or Curriculum: publications, volunteer's stories/experiences

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers

Date: Fall


Audience: Consumers/Youth

Project or Activity: Field Day

Content or Curriculum: publications, volunteer's stories/experiences, commodity organizations curriculum

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers

Date: Fall


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