Respect and Care for the EnvironmentPlan of Work

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Bracken County CES

Title:
Respect and Care for the Environment
MAP:
Environmental Enhancements
Agents Involved:
ANR, 4-H, FCS
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Chemical Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Pollinators
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Situation:

Protection of our natural resources should be first and foremost in all our decision making.  We know there are better ways to farm that are more environmentally friendly and still productive.  We must follow recommended guidelines that reduce environmental impacts,  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Productive farms that prevent erosion, maintain clean water with no runoff from fields or livestock, and have a health biodiversity of pollinators, wildlife, and natural beauty.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Plant pollinator plots in areas not needed for crops or pasture, add legumes to pastures that eliminate need for nitrogen fertilizers, Plant trees along creeks and in pasture areas that will provide shade so cattle can be rotated to prevent mud formation.  Consider winter housing for cattle

Initial Outcomes:

Review soil health needs, improve field drainage areas with grass waterways, remove livestock from creeks, create buffers along waterways.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Ag Water Quality Plans

Indicator:  Update Every 5 years or when there is a change on the farm

Method:  Work with NRCS, to set up reviews and classes

Timeline: 2021


Intermediate Outcome:  Reduction of Water Impact from Livestock and Fertilizer

Indicator:  Unhealthy Waterways

Method:  Fencing Schools, Pollinator Plot demonstrations

Timeline:2022


Long-term Outcome:  Productive farms with environmental impacts greatly reduced

Indicator:  Waterways with buffers, biodiversity, productive pastures with legumes, and no-till crops and cover crops

Method:  Field Days to view practices

Timeline:2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Participants wanting to improve farming methods and environmental impact

Project or Activity:  Soil Testing and No-till planting

Content or Curriculum:  Demonstration to show how erosion is controlled with No-till planting vs. conventional tillage.  This would include the establishment of forages which are often planted on sloping ground.  Recommendations will follow ID-136 and ID-177 for no-till use of small grains

Inputs:  Host farm, testing equipment, and planter

Date: 2022


Audience:  Farmers and Landowners

Project or Activity:  Pollinator protection and management

Content or Curriculum:  Pesticide Training, legumes that support pollinators,

Inputs:  Seed and demonstration 

Date: Spring of 2022 and annual pesticide training


Audience:  Wildlife management

Project or Activity: Hunters harvest

Content or Curriculum: Doe harvest with volunteers to reduce the herd and improve herd health and quality.

Inputs:  Volunteers, UK meat lab, trucks, local food banks.

Date: Annually during the second week of modern gun season (usually the 3rd week in Nov.)



Success Stories

Insect Awareness

Author: David Appelman

Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Following the devastating loss of our Ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer, woodland owners are now interested in learning more about potential invasive insects.  The Bracken County Extension Service hosted 2 informational meetings on the Spongy Moth and the Spotted Lantern Fly.  The spongy moth (formerly the Gypsy Moth) can pose a serious threat to our woodlands and especially the valuable white oak trees.  By stepping up our monitoring efforts, we can keep a close surveillance o

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