Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth Agriculture
Ag Production and Sustainability
Dora Centers, Chad Conway, Linda Combs
Agriculture
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).
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 whose “…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.
·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 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 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.
Initial Outcome:
oYouth plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
Indicator:
oYouth complete an agricultural project.
Method:
o4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
oProgram Indicators
§Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming (PRACTICE)
§Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)
§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?” (SEEC)
§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?” (SEEC)
·4-H Horse Program
oCurriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4; Horse Safety Guidelines; Horse Smarts: Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit
oTraining: Horse Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services
·4-H Country Ham Program
oCurriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video
oTraining: Agent In-services
