Extension
It Starts With Us
Creating awareness of the impact of agriculture on daily life and developing marketable skills for
Enhancing Farm Income
Hieneman, Presley Adkins Grubb
Volunteer Development
Agriculture
Beef
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). A farm is defined by the United States government as “any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year.” While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. The top agricultural products produced on
Kentucky farms are changing. In 2012, the Top 10 agriculture products in Kentucky were: Broilers, Corn, Horses & Mules, Soybeans, Cattle & Calves, Tobacco, Dairy Products & Milk, Wheat, Hay and Chicken Eggs(United States Department of Agriculture –Kentucky, 2012).
Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Livestock producers will increase their profit on the farm.
Increase farm income
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employ-ability.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Livestock producers will begin to change management on the farm by using record keeping, increased health opportunities or improvement reproductive opportunities.
Increase in consumers at the Greenup County Farmers Market
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record keeping, leadership and service.
Livestock producers will learn how to keep accurate records, vaccinations, etc.
Farmers Market Sellers attend local training on how to market products.
Increase in sellers at local farmers market.
Outcome: Initial
Indicator: Livestock record books, surveys from Agriculture Days, Livestock judging and Skill-a-thon scores
Method: County agents, county staff, and volunteer leaders.
Timeline: multiple events throughout the year
Outcome: Intermediate
Indicator: Youth will produce a higher quality livestock project, youth will obtain jobs in the agriculture field
Method: County agents, and volunteer leaders
Timeline: seasonal
Outcome: Long term
Indicator: Youth will engage in and maintain their entrepreneurial enterprise.
Method: County agents, and volunteer leaders
Timeline: special projects
Outcome: Long term
Indicator: Increase in farm income and increase in pounds sold
Method: University of Kentucky Specialist, County Agent, KY Beef Network
Timeline: tracked by agent
Outcome: Initial
Indicator: More vendors have registered through Greenup County Extension Service to sell at Farmers Market.
Method: County agents and volunteer leaders
Timeline: market season
Outcome: Intermediate
Indicator: Increase in foot traffic visiting the Extension Farmers Market booth
Method: County Agents, SNAP- ED, Volunteer Leaders
Timeline: market season
Outcome: Long term
Indicator: Increase in sales at the Farmers Market
Method: Survey
Timeline: market season
Audience: County Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Judging and Skill-a-thon
Content or Curriculum: N/A
Inputs: County Agents and Volunteers
Date: Spring and Fall
Audience: County Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Species Handbooks, and Livestock Training Kits
Inputs: County Agents and Volunteers
Date: Monthly
Audience: County Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Show and Sell
Content or Curriculum: N/A
Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers
Date: August
Audience: County Youth
Project or Activity: County Agriculture Days
Content or Curriculum: N/A
Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers
Date: Fall, Spring
Audience: Local Farmers & Artisans
Project or Activity: How to add value to products
Content: Curriculum prepared by CEDIK
Inputs: County Agents
Date: Winter 2022and Spring 2023
Author: Linda Hieneman
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
Dairy Station conducted by Greenup County FFA Students Aerial view of McConnell House Station Drone footage collect by E-911Greenup County Agriculture Day is an event about recognizing and celebrating the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives. It is a great way to educate local youth about the importance of agriculture, even when they don’t realize it.This year’s annual Agriculture Day attracted twelve fourth grade classes from both Greenup County Schools and R
Author: Presley Grubb
Major Program: Agriculture
In years past, youth that wanted to participate in the county ham project from Greenup County had to store their hams at Boyd County due to the lack of a ham house in the county. Community partners- Greenup County Farm Bureau, Greenup County FFA Chapter and Greenup County 4-H are working together to construct a ham house here in Greenup County to hopefully increase participation in the county ham project since the time needed to travel of 30 minutes minimum each way to the next county will be el
Author: Presley Grubb
Major Program: Agriculture
In Greenup County, the livestock program is the biggest project area we have. Youth that participate in the project learn how to select, care for, and feed the animals they raise. They also learn about different aspects of animal health as well as animal husbandry and how to properly treat their animals. Youth complete record sheets to help them understand the cost management and understanding the rate of gain from the amount of feed consumed by the animal. At the 2022 Greenup County Fair,
Author: Linda Hieneman
Major Program: Poultry/Small Flocks
Chick incubation projects are a great way to teach youth about Agriculture Science. It also teaches them how to care for animals and learning about life cycles.The Greenup County Extension Agent for Agriculture partnered with Grayson Lake Park Ranger to respond to a request from Russell Independent Schools to offer Chicken Embryology or hatching for students at the primary school. Students in first, second and special education classes participated in the project for a total of 350 p
Author: Linda Hieneman
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Jim and Brenda Fields representing Sweet Bee Gardens The Greenup County Farmers Market was established in 2005 with farmer vendors only. As the market grew and became more established in the community, some local artisans became interested in participating as vendors. At first, there was some hesitation on the part of farmers about expanding the focus of agricultural economy into the creative economy. Because of the leadership, encouragement, and modeling of team work from the Ag Agent, FCS
