Farm and Environmental SustainabilityPlan of Work

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Casey County CES

Title:
Farm and Environmental Sustainability
MAP:
Encouraging Environmental Sustainability
Agents Involved:
FCS, Meagan Klee, Kelsey Woodrum
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Chemical Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
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. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019).

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is 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.

Casey County is a rural community placed in south central Kentucky with 63% identified as farm land. There are a total of 1,118 farms with an average size of 160 acres. With 92.8% of these farms being operated by a family or individual, continued agriculture education is imperative.

Consumers have become more concerned with where their food comes from and the sustainability of it. This interest has pushed many producers into creating more sustainable operations to supply this niche market. 27% of respondents in Casey County were most concerned with the sustainability of family farms compared to all other Agriculture and Environment areas. With the guidance of extension specialists and agents these farmers can learn and implement new practices in their operations to not only create a more sustainable environment but also to increase production and profit for farmers.

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

Audience: Casey County Youth

Project/Activity: Farm Safety Day

Content/Curriculum: ATV Safety Curriculum, additional safety resources

Input: Extension Staff, Casey County School Systems, Cattlemen’s Association, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, local FFA Chapter and local volunteers

Date: April


Audience: 4-H Members/Casey County Youth

Project/Activity: 4-H Livestock Program

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Livestock Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers

Date: September – August


Audience: 4-H Members

Project/Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Livestock Volunteer

Date: January - October


Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members interested in horses

Project/Activity: 4-H Horse Club

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Horse Curriculum

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Horse Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers

Date: September - August


Audience: Casey County Students

Project/Activity: Farm Bureau National Ag Week & Ag Literacy Week

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Agricultural Resources

Input: Extension Staff and Casey County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee

Date: Spring


Audience: Casey County 4th Graders

Project/Activity: Overnight Environmental Education Camp

Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Staff, 4-H Camp Staff, local volunteers 

Date: Spring


Audience: 4th Graders

Project/Activity: In-School 4-H Clubs/Enrichment

Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground

Input: Extension Staff and Casey County School System

Date: September – April


Audience: 4-H Members

Project/Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Content/Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports

Input: 

Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Shooting Sports Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers

Date: March - October


Audience: Casey County Youth and Adults

Project/Activity: Hook to Cook and Field to Fork

Content/Curriculum: UK CAFÉ Curriculum and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, KDFW

Date: Summer and Fall

 

Audience: Casey County Farmers

Project/Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Content/Curriculum: UK Publications

Input: Extension Agents, UK CAFÉ Specialists

Date: Spring

 

Audience: Commercial Horticulture Producers

Project/Activity: Integrated Pest Management Strategies Workshop

Content/Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK CAFÉ Publications

Input: Extension Agents, UK CAFÉ Specialists, Farmers Market

Date: Spring

 

Audience: Casey County Residents

Project/Activity: Casey County Clean-Up

Content/Curriculum: PRIDE Clean-Up, Project Learning Tree

Input: Extension Agents, Community Volunteers, 4-H Teen Council

Date: Fall and Spring

 

Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members interested in Fishing

Project/Activity: 4-H Fishing Club

Content/Curriculum: Fishing 101, KDFW Publications

Input: Extension Agents, Parent/Guardians Volunteers, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

Date: September – June


Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members & Adults interested in Bee Keeping 

Project/Activity: Bee Keeping Club

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Bee Keeping Curriculum, Bee Keeping Publications

Input: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Green River Bee Keepers Association

Date: September - August

 

Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members interested in the outdoors and adventure

Project/Activity: 4-H Adventure Club

Content/Curriculum: Backyards and Beyond, Exploring Your Environment, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree

Input: Extension Agent, Extension Specialists, Parent/Guardian Volunteers



Success Stories

Hunter Education

Author: Kelsey Marcum

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

Hunting is an integral part of conservation and sustaining Kentucky's wildlife. Hunters are required to maintain proper licenses and certifications to legally hunt Kentucky wildlife. One of those certifications being the hunter education course which is required for all hunters ages 12 and up. Unfortunately, the number of people certified to teach this training has dwindled greatly in recent years. Because of this Casey County had not had a training offered for local hunters in many years.&n

Full Story

Predator Workshop

Author: Kelsey Marcum

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

Small Ruminant production has seen continuous growth in the state of Kentucky in recent years.  Since the rise in small ruminant production, especially sheep production, Russell, Pulaski, and Casey Counties have also seen a huge rise in sheep production.  With this in mind, and the growing number of sheep, and goats, in the Lake Cumberland Area, a workshop was developed with other organizations to bring a workshop to Russell County to educate producers on predator control.  The fi

Full Story

Lake Cumberland Area Forage Series

Author: Kelsey Marcum

Major Program: Forages

Forages are the base for most cattle operations in the Lake Cumberland area.  Forages are the most economical way for most beef farmers to put pounds on calves and increase production on their farming operation.  With the production of forages comes many challenges as well, in the form of weather, fertilizer prices, weeds, and proper establishment and maintenance of forages.During the winter of 2023, Russell, Casey, Pulaski, and McCreary counties held a 4 part forage series that was ai

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Avian Influenza Informational Meeting

Author: Kelsey Marcum

Major Program: Poultry/Small Flocks

Avian Influenza is a threat to poultry producers all over the world. Not only is it disastrous for flocks but it causes devastating financial losses for producers. We have seen firsthand in other parts of Kentucky and in other states what Avian Influenza can do to the poultry industry. As a result of this it is important for producers to understand the dangers it poses as well as what they can do to manage it.In an effort to educate producers on the prevention and management of Avian Influenza C

Full Story
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