Agriculture Production and Environmental Literacy

Agriculture Production and Environmental LiteracyPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Allen County CES

Title:

Agriculture Production and Environmental Literacy

MAP:

Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment

Agents Involved:

Adam Huber (ANR), Kelly Burgess (FCS), Anna Meador (4-H)

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Chemical Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Beef

Situation:

Allen County is located in south central Kentucky where there is an abundant amount of agriculture and wildlife present. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Allen County is the #1 producer of vegetables and #1 producer of cattle and calve sales in the state. With 21% of the land in Allen County being woodlands and Barren River Lake flowing into the county, there are numerous outdoor activities and accommodations that Allen County has to offer outdoor enthusiasts.
As you can see, Allen County is very diverse and with the help of County Extension Council, we identified the needs in our community, as well as programs that will help community members be more comfortable growing and safely handling their own food, exercising and staying healthy, along with learning the importance of keeping our environment clean and pollution free.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize best management practices in farming operations
Participate in civic projects that improve the environment
Increased sales, profits & participation in farming operations
Livestock and horticulture increased profit or reduced expenses or risk
Improve wildlife habitat and environment
Land owners enhance and maintain wildlife habitat

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increase participation in outdoor activities
Apply safety practices in Ag, Environment & wildlife activities
Employ best practices in livestock & horticulture production
Demonstrate food safety practices
Use habitat improvement methods to increase wildlife populations

Initial Outcomes:

Recognize the importance of environmental footprint
Increase confidence in growing produce and livestock for consumption
Utilize safety practices in ag, environment, and wildlife
Learn 3 or more best practices in livestock, health, nutrition, & production

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Learn 3 or more best practices in livestock, health, nutrition, & production
Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farming operation
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs

Intermediate Outcome Increase participation of outdoor activities
Indicator: individuals state that they increased physical outdoor activities and exercise
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs

Intermediate Outcome: Use habitat improvement methods to increase wildlife populations
Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farming operation.
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs

Long-term Outcome: Maximize best management practices in farming operations
Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farm to improve yield, profit and BMP
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Agriculture producers, elected officials, educators and all stakeholders
Project or Activity: Farm to Table Event
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit, Farm to Table
Inputs: ANR, FCS & 4-H agents, Chamber of Commerce members, donated items
Date: Annually, Fall
Project or Activity: Agriculture Field Day
Content or Curriculum: General Ag content from UK specialist
Inputs: ANR, FCS & 4-H agents, Ag Advisory Committee members, UK specialist, Vendors, donated items
Date: Annually Spring or Fall

Audience: Youth, Families, Stakeholders
Project or Activity: Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: Forestry, wildlife & fish, environmental sustainability
Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H agents,
Date: Annually, Summer
Project or Activity: 4-H livestock and horse projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H agriculture core
Inputs: Club leaders, community partners
Date: Annually

Audience: Agriculture producers, business owners, families, youth and stakeholders
Project or Activity: Seed to Sell Program
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit training, Plate It up KY proud, NEP “Grow Your Own” publications, 4-H Communication curriculum, 4-H Entrepreneurship curriculum
Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H Agent, youth participants, Allen County Farmers Market, supplies from local vendors
Date: Annually, Spring-Summer
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Education
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit training, Plate It up KY proud
Inputs: ANR, FCS, NEP Assistant, Farmers Market manager/vendors
Date: Annually, May-October
Project or Activity: Wildlife and commercial vegetable meetings
Content or Curriculum: Research from UK specialist, UK publications
Inputs: UK Specialist, ANR Agent, KY Fish and Wildlife, KY Division of Forestry
Date: Annually, Spring, Fall, Winter

Success Stories

Kentucky Deer School

Author: Adam Huber

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

There is a limited amount of credible information and data available to landowners, farmers and property managers in Kentucky that addresses wildlife habitat management and specifically food plots.  Many clientele seek information from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to improve their woodlands and wildlife habitat.  Increased information in these areas will result in an overall improvement in deer herd health and overall satisfaction of the hunters.  There