Develop stronger, more sustainable agricultural economy and conserve natural resources.Plan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Whitley County CES

Title:
Develop stronger, more sustainable agricultural economy and conserve natural resources.
MAP:
Agriculture Education/Production and Environmental awareness.
Agents Involved:
Moses (Fine Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

In 2017, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Whitley County was $6,059,000.  The total farm production expenses (average per farm) was $12,478 compared to $61,929 for the state.  Farm acreage is 58,983 acres which is 21% of the county total.  There are 668 farmers with an average age of 58.  

Forests cover nearly half the state of Kentucky and are the foundation of a forest sector that is a major economic force in the Commonwealth.   

The 2020 estimates for the economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest sector include: 

The Kentucky Forest Sector is divided into six sub-sectors: 

Each of these sub-sectors is comprised of multiple forest businesses. The wood resources that support Kentucky’s forest sector primarily come from Kentucky’s forests. Each acre of harvested timber is estimated to contribute $23,288 to Kentucky’s economy.  Whitley County contributes to all aspects of the forest sector economy in Kentucky.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increased support for local food producers.


Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations. 

  

Reduced illegal dumping and littering. 

  

Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner. 

 

People understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy. 

  

Agricultural and forestry operators/producers become aware of and try new markets

Initial Outcomes:

Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County. 

  

More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering. 

  

Agricultural and forestry markets identified and promoted. 

Evaluation:

Longterm Outcome: Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations.   

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operations remaining in business. 

Method:  Observation and surveys. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Longterm Outcome:  Reduced illegal dumping and littering. 

Indicator:  Number of people using “Dumpster Days” as a way to dispose of trash and debris. 

Method:  Observation and “Dumpster Days” records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Longterm Outcome:  Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations. 

Indicator:  Number of new or expanding agricultural and forestry markets. 

Method:  Observation and forest products industry index. 

Timeline:  Ongoing.  

  

Intermediate Outcome:  Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner. 

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in trainings offered. 

Method:  Observation and training records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Intermediate Outcome:  All people understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy. 

Indicator:  Number of people who participate in pollution education events. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Intermediate Outcome:  Agricultural and forestry operators become aware of and try new markets. 

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in market education events. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Initial Outcome:   Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County. 

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in educational events. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Initial Outcome:   More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering. 

Indicator:  Number of advertisements for “Dumpster Days” in media. 

Method:  Circulation of newspapers and social media contacts. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Initial Outcome:  More Whitley County residents become aware of agricultural and forestry markets. 

Indicator:  Number of participants who become aware of agricultural and forestry markets. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Beef producers 

    Project or Activity:  Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association 

    Content or Curriculum:  UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA 

                                            NRCS, etc. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  monthly meetings. 

 
Audience:  Sheep/goat producers 

    Project or Activity:  Southeast sheep and goat association. 

    Content or Curriculum:  UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA 

                                     NRCS, etc. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  annual meetings. 

  

Audience:  Sustainable agriculture. 

   Project or Activitie:  Small Farms Group 

   Content or Curriculum:  UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA 

                                     NRCS, etc. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  monthly meetings. 

  

Audience:  Beekeepers 

    Project or Activities:  Whitley County Bee Club 

    Content:  UK pubs, KDA Beelines and other pubs, and KSU pubs. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  monthly meetings except in winter. 

  

Audience:  Gardeners 

    Project or Activities:   Save the Children gardening program

    Content:  UK pubs  

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  monthly meetings. 

  

Audience:  Agricultural and Horticultural producers. 

    Project or Activities:  Pesticide safety trainings. 

    Content:  UK pubs and KDA training materials. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  ongoing 

  

Audience:  Loggers 

    Project or Activities:  Master Logger trainings. 

    Content:  UK pubs and Kentucky Division of Forestry materials. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  ongoing 

  

Audience:  Whitley County residents. 

    Project or Activities:  Whtiley County Ag Day. 

    Content:  UK pubs and other agency materials. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  Annual event in August/September 

  

Audience:  Whitley County landowners and forest industry personnel. 

    Project or Activities:  Kentucky Wood Expo 

    Content:  UK pubs 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents. 

    Date:  Biennial. 

  

Audience:  Whitley County Residence 

    Project or Activities:  Art in the Garden 

    Content:  UK Pubs, CEDIK 

    Inputs:  Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H 

    Date:  Spring-Fall 

 

Audience:  Whitley County Residence 

    Project or Activities:  Art and Agriculture workshops 

    Content:  UK pubs, CEDIK 

    Inputs:  Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H 

    Date: Spring-Fall 

 

Audience:  Whitley County Residence 

    Project or Activities:  Building and Design for Farm equipment 

    Content:  UK pubs, CEDIK, Farmer Resources 

    Inputs:  Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H 

    Date: Spring-Fall 

 

Audience:  Whitley County Residence 

    Project or Activities:  Mixed Media with materials from environment 

    Content:  UK pubs, CEDIK 

    Inputs:  Ag, Fine Arts, Volunteers, 4-H 

    Date: Ongoing 

 

Audience: General Public/Families 

Project or Activity: Earth Day Celebration 

Content or Curriculum: UK publication, Fine Arts, KSU, SNAP, NASA, 4-H, Horticulture, Agriculture, FCS 

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Soil Conservation Service, Adult Education Service, Save the Children, Local Recycling organizations, schools, City Government, Farmers Market, EFNEP  

Date: April-ongoing 


Audience: General Public/Families 

Project or Activity: Environmental education through the arts

Content or Curriculum: UK publication, Fine Arts, KSU, SNAP, NASA, 4-H, Horticulture, Agriculture, FCS, NAAEE, KEEC

Inputs: Fine Arts, 4-H, Agricultural, local artist, Volunteers, Soil Conservation Service,  Local Recycling organizations, schools

Date: Spring-Fall 2021-24



Success Stories

Agriculture Workshop 101

Author: Laura Rogers

Major Program: Small Farm Diversification

Agriculture Workshop 101

On May 20, 2022, One hundred and four Small Limited Resource farmers and beginning farmers attended Agriculture Weekend. They learned information from "How to Grow Mushrooms," presented by Beth Wilson, UK Pulaski County Horticulture Agent, to "Creating Your Winning Business Plan" by Dr. Gary R. Stratton, Kentucky State University. On May 21, 2022, eighty-four small limited resources and beginning farmers attended Agriculture Workshop 101, day two, and learned information

Full Story

Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference

Author: Stacy White

Major Program: Beef

The Cumberland Gap region has a sizeable cattle industry.  Due to the geographical location and resources, it is often hard for producers in the area to attend conferences and other larger Extension Programs. With the creation of Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the area now has facilities to hold such events.  Producers travel between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia to obtain resources.  Some farm in more than one state.  Collaborating wi

Full Story

Mushrooms to Grow On

Author: Laura Rogers

Major Program: Small Farm Diversification

Mushrooms to Grow On

The Small Farm Program and Beginning Farmer Project of Kentucky State University collaborated with the University of Kentucky to conduct two classes on cultivating Shitake mushrooms through mushroom inoculation. The classes were held on March 23 at 1 pm and 6 pm at the Whitley County Extension Office in Goldbug. Thirty-two limited resource farmers attended the classes and learned about selecting appropriate hardwood logs for mushroom inoculation, watering and stacking the inoculated logs, and th

Full Story

Kentucky State University Small Farm Conference Eastern Kentucky Style

Author: Laura Rogers

Major Program: Small Farm Management

Kentucky State University Small Farm Conference Eastern Kentucky Style

The economic challenges the citizens of Whitley County face and to share some encouraging news regarding the Kentucky State UniversitySmall Farm Conference Eastern Kentucky Style.Per the 2022 U.S. Census, our community has struggled economically. The per capita income for the past 12 months was recorded at $20,633, and a concerning 27.6% of our population lives in poverty. These statistics indicate our residents' tough times, necessitating concerted efforts to address this pressing issue.In

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County