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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Learning Opportunities:

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 2022 - June 2023


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 2022 - August 2023 


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 2022 - August 2023



Success Stories

Farmer Suicide Prevention

Author: Chelsea Sapp

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health - ANR

Chelsea SappANR Success Story #1October 2022 Farmer Suicide Prevention At a recent Marion County Cattlemen meeting, Dale Dobson and Dr. Cheryl Witt gave a very informative lesson on farmer suicide prevention. I organized this event and worked with Dale Dobson, safety coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Dr. Cheryl Witt on coming to speak with our membership about suicide prevention. From 2004-2017, 109 farmers died due to suicide in Kentucky. With at least on

Full Story

Fencing School

Author: Chelsea Sapp

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Chelsea SappANR Success Story #2January 2023Fencing School  After seeing the need for modernized and improved fencing practices, I collaborated with Dr. Chris Teutsch and members from Ag Council to host the 2022 Kentucky Fencing School. This program was the first one done in Marion County since pre-Covid (2018). I worked with a local young farmer in Marion County to be the host farm for this event. The first part of the day was held at the Marion County Extension Office. Participa

Full Story

Homesteading Basics Series

Author: Chelsea Sapp

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Chelsea SappANR Success Story #3April 3, 2023                                                                                 Homesteading Basics Series Starting in February and going through June 2023, I am hosting a homesteading basics series. These classes are geared towards n

Full Story

Central KY Goat and Sheep Club Growing in Participation and Membership

Author: Chelsea Sapp

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

The Central Kentucky Goat and Sheep Club has grown exponentially since all meetings and activities were put on hold from 2020 until March 2022 due to Covid and no Ag Agent in Marion County. I first found out about the sheep and goat club through some of its former members wanting to get it started back again. Since then, I have strived to meet on a consistent basis and have guest speakers teach a variety of topics of interest to producers. With the election of officers and changing and upda

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Fruit Trees Class

Author: Chelsea Sapp

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 On April 25th, I held a beginner’s fruit tree class as part of the Homesteading Basics series I was doing. My goal for this class was to help educate participants on fruit trees and give them information to take home. I wanted to have this class because as an agent I had received several calls and concerns about fruit trees or how to get started. I reached out to Dr. Rick Durham, UK Horticulturist, for help with this topic. He came down and spoke about fruit tree varieties, common di

Full Story
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