Bracken County CES

Title:

Respect and Care for the Environment

MAP:

Environmental Enhancements

Agents Involved:

ANR, 4-H, FCS

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Chemical Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Pollinators

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

Situation:

Protection of our natural resources should be first and foremost in all our decision making.  We know there are better ways to farm that are more environmentally friendly and still productive.  We must follow recommended guidelines that reduce environmental impacts,  

Long-Term Outcomes:

Productive farms that prevent erosion, maintain clean water with no runoff from fields or livestock, and have a health biodiversity of pollinators, wildlife, and natural beauty.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Plant pollinator plots in areas not needed for crops or pasture, add legumes to pastures that eliminate need for nitrogen fertilizers, Plant trees along creeks and in pasture areas that will provide shade so cattle can be rotated to prevent mud formation.  Consider winter housing for cattle

Initial Outcomes:

Review soil health needs, improve field drainage areas with grass waterways, remove livestock from creeks, create buffers along waterways.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Ag Water Quality Plans

Indicator:  Update Every 5 years or when there is a change on the farm

Method:  Work with NRCS, to set up reviews and classes

Timeline: Winter of 2023

Intermediate Outcome:  Reduction of Water Impact from Livestock and Fertilizer

Indicator:  Unhealthy Waterways

Method:  Fencing Schools, Pollinator Plot demonstrations

Timeline: Fall of 2022 and 2023

Long-term Outcome:  Productive farms with environmental impacts greatly reduced

Indicator:  Waterways with buffers, biodiversity, productive pastures with legumes, and no-till crops and cover crops

Method:  Field Days to view practices

Timeline:2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Participants wanting to improve farming methods and environmental impact

Project or Activity:  Soil Testing and No-till planting

Content or Curriculum:  Demonstration to show how erosion is controlled with No-till planting vs. conventional tillage.  This would include the establishment of forages which are often planted on sloping ground.  Recommendations will follow ID-136 and ID-177 for no-till use of small grains

Inputs:  Host farm, testing equipment, and planter

Date: Fall of 2022 and spring of 2023

Audience:  Farmers and Landowners

Project or Activity:  Pollinator protection and management

Content or Curriculum:  Pesticide Training, legumes that support pollinators,

Inputs:  Seed and demonstration 

Date: winter of 2023 at annual pesticide training

Audience:  Wildlife management

Project or Activity: Hunters harvest

Content or Curriculum: Doe harvest with volunteers to reduce the herd and improve herd health and quality.

Inputs:  Volunteers, UK meat lab, trucks, local food banks.

Date: Annually during the second week of modern gun season (usually the 3^rd week in Nov.)

Audience:  Community Members

Project or Activity:  Walking Trail

Content or Curriculum:  UK publications on physical activity

Inputs: Benefits of physical activity

Date:  Spring 2023

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Outdoor Adventure Club

Content or Curriculum: UK & 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent & Volunteers

Date: Fall 2022 Spring 2023