Extension
It Starts With Us
Natural Resources and the Environment
Natural Resources & the Environment
Marlee Kelley, Samantha Gamblin, Paul Adkins, Lorilee Kunze, Ruth Chowning
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Natural Resources
Bullitt County is a rapidly urbanizing county with diminishing traditional agriculture. This continual rapid increase in the suburban population has led to a large non-rural population that has limited knowledge of rural environments, natural resources, and sustaining those for future generations. Local leadership identified a need for educational programming in this area to help protect and beautify our county's natural resources.
This continual rapid increase in the suburban population in Bullitt County is resulting in a steady decrease in the agricultural utilization of its land. As a result, education and information in the fields of small farming, farm succession, home horticulture and urban gardening is severely lacking in suburban areas. Due to this dynamic there is an increasing need for educational assistance on natural resources and environmental issues throughout Bullitt County.
Participants will practice sustainable growing practices and have less negative impact on the environment
Participants will gain gardening skills to promote health and wellness
Improved herd quality
Participants will be able to teach others how to properly fish and hunt in Kentucky
Participant will improve curb appeal and energy efficiency of their homes through their landscape
Participants will improve overall health and wellness by being more active in outdoor activities
Participants will test soil and continue monitoring soil health to improve production and sustainability
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems
Participants will increase access to healthy food via local Farmer’s Market, food retailers and home gardens
Participants will use fewer pesticides and improve pesticide safety
Participants will develop a nutrient management plan for cattle
Participants will implement hunting and fishing skills on private or public land
Participants will improve their current landscape by practicing learned skills
Participants will improve production of homegrown fruits and vegetables
Participants will test their soil
Increase of participation in local beekeeping association.
Increase number of hives in county.
Decrease number of hives lost to disease and other factors.
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food
Students will improve food and nutrition-related knowledge and skills through simple gardening
Increase knowledge of producing high quality cattle
Increase awareness for fishing and hunting in Bullitt County
Participants will gain skills about gardening
Participants will gain knowledge about proper use and handling of pesticides and pesticide safety
Participants gain knowledge about soil health and soil testing
Participants will gain knowledge about identifying insects
Participants reduce stress through gardening
Increase producers' knowledge of beekeeping.
Increase knowledge of good agricultural practices.
Participants increase knowledge of beekeeping.
Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food
Outcome: Growing food at home
Indicator: Number of students who report using knowledge and skills to plant, care for and grow vegetables
Method: Self-reported survey; parent reported behaviors
Timeline: Pre- post program and 3-month follow-up
Outcome: Increase Agriculture Production and Profitability
Indicator: Higher production and increased profits
Method: Self-reporting, observation
Timeline: Pre and Post program, year-to-year over the next 5 years
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills for Fishing and Hunting in KY
Indicator: Increase in people fishing and hunting in Bullitt County
Method: Self-reporting, observation
Timeline: Pre- and Post- trainings, 1-year follow-up
Intermediate Outcome: Participants follow through with soil test and amend soil properly
Indicator: Soil test submission and follow up phone call
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: July 2020- June 2021
Long Term Outcome: Participants continues to monitor soil health and use integrated methods to improve soil health
Indicator: Repeated soil testing and follow up
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: July 2020- June 2021
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will be able to select tree varieties for home plantings. They will gain better fruit tree management skills.
Indicator: Tree plantings and health of est. trees
Method: Observed and verbal
Timeline: July 2020- June 2021
Intermediate Outcome: Participants gain knowledge of how to plant more functional and efficient landscapes and gardens
Indicator: Pre/post survey
Method: Written, verbal
Timeline: July 2020- June 2021
Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about identifying insects
Indicator: Pre/Post Test
Method: Written
Timeline: July 2020- June 2021
Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about beekeeping
Indicator: Pre/Post survey
Method: Verbal
Timeline: July 2020- June 2021
Outcome: Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food
Indicator: Helping adults or parents maintain a garden, maintaining own garden
Method: Written evaluation, youth and parent testimonials
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems
Indicator: Involvement in 4-H Jr Master Gardener and (long-term) Master Gardener Program, local Farmer’s Markets, or community action
Method: Youth and parent testimonials, participation
Timeline: On-going
Project or Activity: Gardening class for Tomatoes and Peppers
Content or Curriculum: UK horticulture publications, SNAP Ed resources, Organ Annie curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, community partners, SNAP Ed Toolkit, FCS Agent
Date: Summer 2020
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Raising the Steaks Beef Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Guest Speakers
Inputs: ANR Agents, Extension Specialist, Community Partners
Date: September 2020- November 2020
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Hook and Cook, Field to Fork
Content or Curriculum: KY Fish and Wildlife Programs
Inputs: KY Fish and Wildlife Staff, ANR Agent, Extension Specialist
Date: July 2020- June 2021
Audience:Bullitt County General Public
Activity: Gardening Season Series
Content: U of K pubs, gardening curriculum
Inputs: Various plants and demonstrative materials, volunteers, agents, specialists
Date: July 2020- June 2021
Audience: Producers, General Public
Activity: Fruit Production Series
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local expert
Inputs: U of K Publications, grafting equipment, rootstock, specialists
Date: July 2020- June 2021
Audience: General Public
Activity: Homeowners’ Toolbox Series
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs
Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, U of K Publications
Date: July 2020- June 2021
Audience: General Public
Activity: Biodiversity Series
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs
Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications
Date: July 2020- June 2021
Audience: General Public
Activity: Beekeeping Series Classes
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local experts
Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, U of K pubs, state and local associations
Date: July 2020- June 2021
Audience: Youth, Elementary
Activity: 4-H Jr. Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H/Texas A&M AgriLife-Jr. Master Gardener Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, KY 4-H/Horticulture Resources, volunteers, approved Jr. Master Gardener Curriculum from Texas A&M
Author: Marlee Kelley
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Covid-19 changed nearly everything in the United States in the spring of 2020. It closed many businesses, most schools and churches, eliminated most travel, and turned many Americans into virtual hermits. It also affected agriculture, with some of the most significant effects falling on livestock producers as farm-gate prices declined due to the closure of many of the large beef and pork processing plants. Prices of other commodities such as corn, soybeans, and produce were also depressed by the
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Natural Resources
Situation 4-Her’s experienced a pandemic for the first time in their lives. Quickly youth were asked to change the way they lived. Whether it was how they do school work, go to the grocery, social interaction, extracurricular activities and so much more. For our local 4-Her’s what did that mean for them? Would there be 4-H Teen Summit, Teen Conference, Fair, 4-H Camp, club meetings and so much more. 4-H wanted a way to keep contact with 4-Her’s, keep them busy with hands o
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Camping
During this pandemic the world has turned to technology and social media more than ever. As a society we are communicating about programnning and events differently. The days of individuals receiving information from the newspaper or mailbox, have fallen to the wayside of technology and social media. As a result, the 4-H Agent and4-H Assistant in Bullitt County looked for different ways to promote 4-H summer camp to our community.In the past, 4-H summer camp promotion has happened by mailing a
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Agriculture
Bullitt County 4-H has been introducing the chick incubation project to elementary schools for the past 11 years. In 2020-2021 school year, schools had to adapt to virtual learning. 4-H had to get creative with programming. Which meant that the chick incubation projects that students looked forward to was going to look different. Thankful for our modern technology and social media, the chick incubation project went on as planned. The project was available to all Bullitt County elementary s
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Beekeeping
With the continuing decline of large farming operations in Bullitt County, local farmers are looking to diversify. Because beekeeping can be a very profitable small business, it has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional livestock. Additionally, homeowners in Bullitt County have showed a growing interest in raising bees as a hobby. Regardless of the intention, residents, with an interest in beekeeping, need a reputable source for up-to-date information and assistanc
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Natural Resources
In the early spring of 2021, Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Service was invited to collaborate in a project with Nichols Elementary to create a school garden and educational program for the garden. As a community, Nichols is used to finding their own resources and support, but they contacted the Extension Service due to previous long term relationships and programs offered by Extension. The Bullitt County Extension Service, the local Public Library branch, Nichols Elementary school s
