2021 Agriculture Literacy and Social Sustainability Plan of Work

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Calloway County CES

Title:
2021 Agriculture Literacy and Social Sustainability
MAP:
Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Matt Chadwick, Ashley Cox (4-H Assistant)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agritourism Planning
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Local Food System Development and Mapping
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Soil testing
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:

Calloway County's population has dramatically increased in the last decade, the majority of that population lives within the city limits. Although traditionally viewed as a rural county, the ratio of urban to rural residence is shifting. Due to this shift we are seeing a larger disconnect with our traditionally agriculture community. Greater understanding and communication between rural and city dwellers is needed. A portion of the new rural population has moved to Calloway County to retire. In retirement they desire to have a small farm or agricultural enterprise. This population needs to have information and assistance as they make decisions about their small farm operations. Additionally, the scientific aspects of GE crops (=GMOs) are not widely understood. Furthermore, credible scientific information is sometimes misrepresented in the public domain. While value judgement rightfully drive public decision-making, the public has the right to credible scientific information as it deliberates controversial issues such as this.


Long-Term Outcomes:

-The general population of the county will develop a link to agriculture within the county. They will become more familiar, and acclimated with the process of production agriculture in the county.

-New small farms producer will be successful at producing their intended crop/livestock at a sustainable profit.

-Youth will consider the field of agriculture as a viable career path.

-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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

-The general public become aware of where their food is produced and will desire to select more locally produced food.

-Producers will make efforts to market locally produced foods for local residents to purchase.

-Consumers will be understanding of crop seasons, and there for the seasonal availability of local products.

-Youth will value local producers.

-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 employ ability.

-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.

Initial Outcomes:

-The general population will feel comfortable and confident that local producers are using the best practices available to produce commodities.

-Producers understand the value in telling their story, and feel a greater comfort in doing so.

-Youth will have an understanding of the crops grown in the county.

-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.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: The general population will feel comfortable and confident that local producers are using the best practices available to produce commodities

Indicator: Interaction between producers and public

Method:One on one conversations

Timeline: 2021


Intermediate Outcome: Producers will make efforts to market locally produced foods for local residents to purchase.

Indicator:More diversity in locally available products

Method:Survey of weekly farmers market vendors

Timeline:2020-2021


Long-term Outcome: The general population of the county will develop a link to agriculture within the county. They will become more familiar, and acclimated with the process of production agriculture in the county.

Indicator:Better Communication

Method: One on one conversations

Timeline: 2021-2024


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers Market Consumers and Vendors

Project or Activity: Educational Booth

Content or Curriculum: Plate it up, Ag Literacy Information

Inputs: Volunteers, Agents, Publications

Date: Monthly during 2021 market season


Audience: General Public of Calloway County

Project or Activity: Agriculture based tour

Content or Curriculum: Visiting a diverse section of Agriculture Based businesses and farms within the county

Inputs: Volunteers, Agents, publications, local market administration

Date: 2021



Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Welcome to the county brochure

Content or Curriculum: County based stats and information

Inputs: Local Data, Agents.

Date: 2021


Audience: High School aged Youth

Project or Activity: Leadership Tomorrow Ag Day

Content or Curriculum: Tour of local Ag based businesses and farms

Inputs: Agents, teachers, bus, local producers and volunteers

Date: Annually 2021-2024


Audience: Youth

Project/Activity: Ag Day

Content/Curriculum: Natural Resources in Kentucky

Inputs: Volunteers, program assistant, teachers

Date: Annually 2021-2024


Audience: Youth

Project/Activity: 4-H Project Clubs

Content/Curriculum: Geology, Archery, Shotgun, Horse, Livestock, Animal Science, Bee, Robotics, Sewing, Fine Arts, Teen, etc.

Inputs: Volunteers, program assistant, agents

Date: Annually each program year


Audience: Youth

Project/Activity: 4-H Summer Day Camps

Content/Curriculum: Special Interest workshops, Project Days, Short Courses

Inputs: Volunteers, program assistants, agents

Date: Annually each program year

Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

Date:



Success Stories

Small Diversified Farms

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Small Diversified Farms

During the 2020 Covid-19 shut down we saw a large interest in individuals desiring to learn to grow food for themselves and their families, as they learned these new techniques several families soon began to ask questions about growing food for sale. In late 2020 a group of agriculture agents in Calloway, Marshall, McCracken, Caldwell, Trigg, Crittenden, and Livingston came together to address a rapidly growing trend of small “homestead plus” farms. We developed a series of “en

Full Story

Volunteer Growth

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR

Volunteer Growth

Our first Master Gardener class in Calloway County was in 2015, one of the class participants was a recently retired nurse who claimed to have a "Brown Thumb". Mrs. Betty as she came to be known has developed into one of my most loyal volunteers, however she never felt comfortable teaching or leading a class. This year she decided to give it a try, overcoming her fear of public speaking she lead our hands on pruning sessions. The class has met in 5 different sub groups to do the hands

Full Story
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