Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture Production and Environmental Literacy
Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment
Adam Huber (ANR), Vacant (FCS), Anna Meador (4-H)
Horticulture, Commercial
Chemical Management
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Beef
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
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
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
In today’s agriculture industry there are many ideas, products and beliefs out there that some agriculture companies try to push producers into “buying”. A lot of these companies try to sell these ideas, products and beliefs to producers by showing them research that was done from their companies which would be a biased interpretation or maybe even no research at all. There are a few companies out there that are making the claim that liquid calcium products can be used to
Author: Anna Meador
Major Program: Agriculture
AG Academy's immersive three-day program teaches youth about importance of agriculture's role in providing food, fiber and natural resources.U.S. Agriculture and American farmers play a crucial role for providing food, fiber and natural resources for a fast growing world. “Unlike prior generations, consumers of today are not as connected with the land, the food grown on the land or the food they consume on a daily basis (Ten Eyck, 2000).” In an effort to educate y
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Local Food Systems
U.S. Agriculture and American farmers play a crucial role for providing food, fiber and natural resources for a fast growing world. “Unlike prior generations, consumers of today are not as connected with the land, the food grown on the land or the food they consume on a daily basis (Ten Eyck, 2000).” In an effort to educate youth on the importance of agriculture, Allen County 4-H and ANR Agents – Anna Meador and Adam Huber crafted, AG Academy, a three day program to
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Grains
Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties have traditionally been some, if not, Kentucky’s largest burley tobacco producing counties. However over the past 15 years the amount of tobacco grown has rapidly decreased. Traditional burley farmers have switched to the production of grain, specially corn, wheat, and soybeans. Agriculture agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties (W8) joined efforts to provide an educational program for produce
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Master Gardener
In response to clientele requests, the Allen, Simpson and Warren County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Horticulture collaborated together to offer the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program in the Winter/Spring of 2023. Educational classes were offered for a total of 12 weeks with 14 home consumer horticulture topics being covered. Consumer horticulture topics covered in the program were home vegetable gardening, small and tree fruit production, home lawn care practices, woody tree an
