Creating awareness of the impact of agriculture on daily life and developing marketable skills forPlan of Work

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Greenup County CES

Title:
Creating awareness of the impact of agriculture on daily life and developing marketable skills for
MAP:
Enhancing Farm Income
Agents Involved:
Hieneman, 4-H Vacancy
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Volunteer Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Beef
Situation:

Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). A farm is defined by the United States government as “any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year.” While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. The top agricultural products produced on

Kentucky farms are changing. In 2012, the Top 10 agriculture products in Kentucky were: Broilers, Corn, Horses & Mules, Soybeans, Cattle & Calves, Tobacco, Dairy Products & Milk, Wheat, Hay and Chicken Eggs(United States Department of Agriculture –Kentucky, 2012).

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.


Livestock producers will increase their profit on the farm.


Increase farm income

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.


Livestock producers will begin to change management on the farm by using record keeping, increased health opportunities or improvement reproductive opportunities.

Increase in consumers at the Greenup County Farmers Market

Initial Outcomes:

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.

Livestock producers will learn how to keep accurate records, vaccinations, etc.

Farmers Market Sellers attend local training on how to market products.

Increase in sellers at local farmers market.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Initial

Indicator: Livestock record books, surveys from Agriculture Days, Livestock judging and Skill-a-thon scores

Method: County agents, county staff, and volunteer leaders.

Timeline: multiple events throughout the year


Outcome: Intermediate

Indicator: Youth will produce a higher quality livestock project, youth will obtain jobs in the agriculture field

Method: County agents, and volunteer leaders

Timeline: seasonal


Outcome: Long term

Indicator: Youth will engage in and maintain their entrepreneurial enterprise.

Method: County agents, and volunteer leaders

Timeline: special projects


Outcome: Long term

Indicator: Increase in farm income and increase in pounds sold

Method: University of Kentucky Specialist, County Agent, KY Beef Network

Timeline: tracked by agent


Outcome: Initial

Indicator: More vendors have registered through Greenup County Extension Service to sell at Farmers Market.

Method: County agents and volunteer leaders

Timeline: market season


Outcome: Intermediate

Indicator: Increase in foot traffic visiting the Extension Farmers Market booth

Method: County Agents, SNAP- ED, Volunteer Leaders

Timeline: market season


Outcome: Long term

Indicator: Increase in sales at the Farmers Market

Method: Survey 

Timeline: market season

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Judging and Skill-a-thon

Content or Curriculum: N/A

Inputs: County Agents and Volunteers

Date: Spring and Fall

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Livestock Species Handbooks, and Livestock Training Kits

Inputs: County Agents and Volunteers

Date: Monthly

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Show and Sell

Content or Curriculum: N/A

Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers

Date: August

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: County Agriculture Days

Content or Curriculum: N/A

Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers

Date: Fall, Spring

 

Audience: Local Farmers & Artisans 

Project or Activity: How to add value to products 

Content: Curriculum prepared by CEDIK 

Inputs: County Agents 

Date: Winter 2021 and Spring 2022



Success Stories

Beekeeping in Greenup County

Author: Linda Hieneman

Major Program: Beekeeping

Beekeeping in Greenup County

According to the US Department of Agriculture, one mouthful in three of the foods you eat directly or indirectly depends on pollination by honey bees. Honey bee populations have been declining nationally and in KY over the past ten years.  Education is key in helping protect honey bees as well as teaching beekeepers how best to care for their hives.The Greenup County Beekeepers Association formed in 2017 with a handful of members.  The main goal of the association is to educate local b

Full Story

Club leaders encourage growth within Livestock Program

Author: Presley Grubb

Major Program: Agriculture

The livestock clubs were established due to the strong interest within the county. Our youth are gaining skills and knowledge from the 6 hours of educational training they are required to complete to show at the fair. The experience of raising and showing an animal allows 4-H youth to develop confidence in themselves and increase their self-esteem. The 4-H program in Greenup County has a long history with a successful youth livestock program. In past years, the number of youth participating

Full Story
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