Extension
It Starts With Us
Environmental Stewardship
Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability
Christin Herbst, Joyce Doyle, Cathy Jansen
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Integrated Pest Management
Natural Resources
The quality and health of water and soil, along with compliance of chemical use, is vital for agriculture. Non-compliance can impact eligibility for cost share and/or federal funding, result in legal ramification, and loss of business.
Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of streams and rivers. Many of these stream miles are impaired by pollution such as sediment, bacteria, and excess nutrients. Urban areas, agricultural areas, and construction sites are examples of sources of these pollutants. Landowners are often confused about how to manage challenges associated with streams on their property. Regulatory restrictions concerning stream maintenance can be confusing and many streams are subject to increased erosion, scoured streambanks, and pollution from adjacent land uses.
According to the 2019 Carroll County Community Assessment, the top priority in Agriculture & Environment was less illegal dumping and littering, which can impact pollution. Members of the Carroll County Agricultural Development Council agreed this topic was an area of focus for Extension Programming in Environmental Stewardship.
- Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, and water.
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
- Be engaged in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
- Be environmentally literate.
- Make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.
- Be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Producers and residents complete Kentucky Private Pesticide Applicator Training, and are trained in Worker Protection Standards.
- Producers and landowners complete or update their Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plan.
- Producers and landowners complete their Kentucky Nutrient Management Plan.
- Producers, landowners, and resident adopt best management practices to improve soil health and water quality.
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
- Use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.
- Explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life.
- Utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership
- Producers, landowners, and residents gain knowledge in:
- Integrated Pest Management practices
- Best management practices for farm ponds, streams (both farm and backyard), and soil health
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Learn shooting sports safety as well as shooting sports disciplines
- Gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content.
- Gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Become aware of the importance of clean water
- Know about watersheds
- Understand the value of trees and careers in forestry through our wood science club
- Learn how to make an electric circuit and make an electric item
- Learn shooting sports safety and will be taught gun disciplines as well as archery
Outcome:
Long-term
Indicator:
Producers, landowners, and residents put best management practices into place. Number of youth completed 4-H natural resources projects in the community.
Method:
Surveys of producers, landowners, and residents. Follow-up surveys with youth.
Timeline:
2 – 4 years
Outcome:
Intermediate
Indicator:
Increase in number of Private Applicator Pesticide Trainings, Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plans, and Kentucky Nutrient Management Plans completed. Number of youth who adopted best management practices in 4-H Natural Resources.
Method:
Monthly statistics. Surveys of 4-H Members in Natural Resources.
Timeline:
1 – 1 ½ years
Outcome:
Initial
Indicator:
Increase in knowledge gained during programs and activities.
Method:
Surveys and evaluations of program participants.
Timeline:
6 months – 2 years
Audience:
Carroll County Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity:
Kentucky Ag Water Quality Plan
Content or Curriculum:
Encourage all producers to have an up-to-date and complete KYAWQ Plan on file with the Carroll County Conservation District.
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Conservation District, KYAWQ Plan website, Extension resources (publications), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
Audience:
Carroll County Producers, Landowners, and Residents
Activity:
Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification
Content or Curriculum:
UK Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Program
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time
Date:
January/February 2021
January/February 2022
January/February 2023
January/February 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Producers, Landowners, and Residents
Activity:
Kentucky Nutrient Management Plan Workshop
Content or Curriculum:
ID-211: Kentucky Nutrient Management Planning Guidelines (KyNMP)
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
Fall 2021
Spring 2022
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
Environmental Science
Content or Curriculum:
Project Wet, Watershed Publications
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Carrollton Utilities, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
October—June 2020 - 2021
October—June 2021 - 2022
October—June 2022 - 2023
October—June 2023 - 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
Electricity
Content or Curriculum:
Snap Circuit Kits, 4-H Wire It Up Curriculum
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
October 2020
April 2021
October 2021
April 2022
October 2022
April 2023
October 2023
April 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
4-H Wood Science
Content or Curriculum:
Forestry Publications.
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Time, Money
Date:
Spring 2021-2024
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
4-H Shooting Sports
Content or Curriculum:
Shooting Sports Policy and Procedures
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Parents, Equipment (Firearms, Throwers, Archery Targets, Ammunition), Time, Money
Date:
April – September 2020
April – September 2021
April – September 2022
April – September 2023
April – September 2024
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum:
Life skills, survival in the outdoors.
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Extension Staff, Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Extension 4-H Specialists, 4-H Camping Staff, Money, Time
Date:
Summer 2020
Summer 2021
Summer 2022
Summer 2023
Summer 2024
Author: Joyce Doyle
Major Program: Natural Resources
Combining community service with communications and a natural resource lesson was a great collaborative event. The Family Ties Resource Director from the primary school called and asked if I would be willing to help with a project that her kindergarten and first grade leadership club was wanting to do. They wanted to make bird feeders for an assisted living facility here in Carroll County. I said I would love to do a lesson on birds and then supply bird feeder kits for t
