Core Program Area: Agriculture
Empowering youth to reach their full potential
Amanda Sublett, Christan Miracle
Agriculture
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.
Youth will be agriculturally literate.
Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
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4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Program Indicators
Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming (PRACTICE)
Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
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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
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
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
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
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
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