Sustainability of Family Farms and Environmental StewardshipPlan of Work

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Greenup County CES

Title:
Sustainability of Family Farms and Environmental Stewardship
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Pullin, Hieneman, Stephens, 4-H Vacancy
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Home-Based Microprocessor Program
Situation:

Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves (USDA ERS, 2020). Kentucky agricultural sales in 2018 were reported at $5.9 billion (USDA ERS, 2020). Of the 75,966 farms in Kentucky, over 90% are individually or family owned. 

Greenup County Cooperative Extension Agents strive plan to conduct many educational  programs that will help support family farms reaching both youth and adults.  Along with production and marketing education, agents will also help educate consumers on how food is grown and produced.   Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013).

Through extension programming it is our goal to make our local Agriculture community more sustainable and while being good stewards to the land that is available to local farmers.




Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:
Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Farmers Market Clientele

Project or Activity: Marketing Trainings, Homebased Microprocessor Trainings

Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Curriculum/ CEDIK

Inputs: Extension Agents, UK specialists

Date:  monthly and as needed

 

Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: Livestock & Poultry Projects 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum 

Inputs: Extension Agents, local volunteer, state specialists

Date: monthly and as needed

 

Audience: Livestock & Forage Producers 

Project or Activity:  Cattleman & Forage Trainings, Soil Testing

Content or Curriculum: Webinars, Hands on training 

Inputs: Extension Agents, local volunteers, UK Beef Specialists

Date: Monthly and as needed

 

Audience: County Youth

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

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum and state guidelines

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 and as needed

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Show and Sell

Content or Curriculum: 4-H livestock curriculum and state guidelines

Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers

Date: August

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: County Agriculture Days

Content or Curriculum: volunteer led event

Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers

Date: Fall, Spring

 

Audience:  Greenup County Community Members

Project or Activity:  Greenup County Farm to Table Dinner

Content or Curriculum:  volunteer-led event

Inputs:  Agents, Staff, Volunteers

Date:  Summer

 

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity:  Farmers Market Outreach

Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit,

Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Date: April – October/Growing seasons

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity:  Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Champion Food Volunteers

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP

Date: July – September for adults and youth

 



Success Stories

Woodland Owner Education

Author: Linda Hieneman

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

Woodland Owner Education

More than half the state of Kentucky is forested and of that land 78 percent is owned by private land owners.  According to Billy Thomas UK Forester, Kentucky Woodlands are some of the most productive woodlands in the world if managed properly.  Most landowners are unaware of all the programs that are available. These services can help develop management plans to ensure proper care and management to carry our woodlands to the next generations.  In Greenup County both the Cooperati

Full Story

Addressing Access To Local Fruits & Vegetables

Author: Linda Hieneman

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Addressing Access To Local Fruits & Vegetables

A large area of Eastern Kentucky has been identified as a food desert.   A food desert is a location that is limited in being able to access fresh fruits and vegetables.   Not having access to fruits and vegetables can limit these in individual’s diets leading to chronic health diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) development has received funding to establish over one hundred high tunnels in the area to help farmers grow mor

Full Story
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