Core Program Area: AgriculturePlan of Work

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Marion County CES

Title:
Core Program Area: Agriculture
MAP:
Empowering youth to reach their full potential
Agents Involved:
Amanda Sublett, Christan Miracle
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Agriculture
Situation:

Kentucky Agricultural Facts: 

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. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019). 

Situation: 

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). 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). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.  

 

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Audience: Youth ages 9-18  

Project or Activity:  Livestock, Dairy, and Equine Educational Meetings and Activities  

Content or Curriculum:  KLVCR Materials  

Inputs:  Certified Volunteer Leaders, Cattlemen, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Parents  

Date:  July 2021 - June 2022  


Audience:  Youth ages 9-18   

Project or Activity:  4-H Horticulture Judging Contest 

Content or Curriculum:  NJHA Material, 4-H Horticulture Judging Materials

Inputs:  Local nurseries, grocery stores, producers, forestry specialists, & 4-H Agent  

Date:  June 2021 - August 2022  


Audience:  Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity:   4-H Country Ham Program  

Content or Curriculum:  How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video  

Inputs:  Certified Volunteer Leaders, Parents, Extension Personnel 

Date:  November 2021 - August 2022



Success Stories

Beef Quality Care and Assurance

Author: Chelsea Sapp

Major Program: Beef

Beef Quality Care and Assurance Since becoming the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Marion County in January of 2022, I have trained cattle producers in Marion County through the Beef Quality Care and Assurance Program. This program is sponsored by the Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. The Beef Quality Care and Assurance Program is a Kentucky version of the National BQA program. The Kentucky version of this program offers a training on cattle

Full Story

Sheep and Goat Association

Author: Chelsea Sapp

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Sheep and Goat Association – Meetings The Marion County Cooperative Extension office has been a vital part in years past helping with the Central KY Sheep and Goat Producers. Once Covid-19 became widespread and programming in person stopped, our group no longer met. Our office then went through a change of Ag Agents. In between Covid-19 and changing office dynamics, we did not have regular meetings. It is my goal to get our Sheep and Goat Producer club meeting on a regular basis

Full Story
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