Protecting the EnvironmentPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Harrison County CES

Title:
Protecting the Environment
MAP:
Natural Resources and the Environment
Agents Involved:
Jessica Barnes, Jessica Sayre, Shannon Farrell, Shelley Meyer
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Natural Resources
Situation:

Residents are concerned about safety of local water supply from Licking River. County still has a few wells and cisterns that need better maintenance. Building and construction add to soil erosion. Land covered with concrete and black top create further run off. Citizens are becoming more aware of the "Green Conception”. Since 90% of all water humans consume is from ground water, our water must be protected. Most fresh water available to us is ground water (not from rivers and lake sources), therefore Harrison County needs to improve environmental quality by implementation of sound environmental practices.

Long-Term Outcomes:

- Improve landowner management of natural resources.

- Reduction of public health hazards related to use of agricultural pesticides. - Encourage the use of new and developing agriculture methods including the use of GPS - global positioning systems.

- Families are encouraged to recycle, reuse, and reduce, to improve the environment.

Improve environmental quality by use of sound environmental practices resulting in less soil erosion, improved quantity and quality of water.

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Properly dispose of unused farm pesticide, household chemicals and containers.

- Utilize personal safety equipment when using pesticides.

- Promote establishment of riparian buffer zones to reduce soil erosion and reduce flooding damage.

- Increase number of dead livestock pickup to protect air, surface water and ground water sources.

- Youth education opportunities for soils and water conservation protection, natural resources and environmental awareness.

- Practice recycling.

Initial Outcomes:

- Demonstrate to the public the possible hazards of pesticides, and other chemicals or compounds to water resources, human health, livestock, wildlife, and pets.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth display knowledge of proper conservation methods and environmental awareness.

Indicator: Youth apply conservation measures and environment practices in everyday lives

Method: involvement in camps, judging and 4-H projects

Timeline: All Year


Intermediate Outcome: Number of animals picked up by dead animal programs.

Indicator: New and returning participants, practices adopted

Method: Yearly report of number of dead animals picked up

Timeline: Year Round


Intermediate Outcome: Number of producers receiving pesticide certification

Indicator: New and returning participants

Method: Number of participants attending certification classes

Timeline: Year Round


Long-term Outcome: Number of people participating in recycling practices and projects

Indicator: New and returning participants, practices adopted.

Method: Observation, oral and written evaluations, adoption of practices, used oil collected, and pesticide containers returned.

Timeline: July and September

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cynthiana/Harrison County community members

Project or Activity: Promoting city/county recycling program

Content or Curriculum: Reduce waste, recycle, reuse waste, used tire disposal, pesticide container disposal

Inputs: extension staff, Cynthiana city departments

Date: Year Round


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Extension Homemaker Environment & Safety Programs, FCS and Ag Newsletters

Content or Curriculum: recycling, timely educational materials

Inputs: FCS Homemaker Environment and Safety committee, Agents

Date: 8 times a year


Audience: 4-H members, community members

Project or Activity: Water Quality and Natural Resources Awareness

Content or Curriculum: Protect ground and surface water, 4-H Curriculum, Project Wet, Project Wild, Ground Water Model, promote water conservation

Inputs: Agents, UK Extension Specialists, volunteers

Date: Year Round


Audience: community members, Homemakers, 4-H members

Project or Activity: Go Green Education

Content or Curriculum: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, use of cloth carryout bags at point of purchase, and green cleaning. Use of environmentally friendly products in home construction and home furnishings.

Inputs: Extension agents, specialists, chamber of commerce

Date: Year round


Audience: Farmers, producers, homeowners

Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification Training, Agricultural and paint container collection

Content or Curriculum: Environmental protection training

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, Partner with local pesticide dealers

Date: Year Round


Audience: Local farmers

Project or Activity: Dead Animal Disposal

Content or Curriculum: Sanitation, protect water resources, promote on-farm composting, cooperation with the county

Inputs: Countryside Industries

Date: Year Round


Audience: Land owners

Project or Activity: Wildlife Management and Control

Content or Curriculum: Personal and environmental protection. Reduced property and crop damage. Reduced interactions between population and unwanted wild animals, buzzards, coyotes, snakes and insects.

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, Agents, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

Date: Year Round


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: UK 4-H/Harrison County Soil Conservation District Soils judging

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Soils Judging Project

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, Harrison County Conservation District, volunteers

Date: April-Aug


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Summer 4-H Camps, 4-H Shooting Sports, 4-H Horse Camps, Environmental Camps and Cloverbud Camp

Content or Curriculum: Safety, Environmental Resource Source, Recreation,. KY State Parks and Recreation, KY 4-H Specialists

Inputs: 4-H volunteers, paid staff

Date: July - June



Success Stories

Overnight Environmental Camp is back on the books

Author: Shannon Farrell

Major Program: Natural Resources

Overnight Environmental Camp is back on the books

Many requests for overnight 4-H environmental camp were made by 4-Hers and teachers in the months following Covid-19 restrictions. Starting the 2022-23 program year, the Harrison County 4-H Public Relations Officers accompanied 4-H Agent to the school board meeting for a presentation on 4-H Environmental Camp and request for approval to offer the overnight option once again to classes. Following the round of applause and granted approval, the Superintendent concluded our item with “have a

Full Story

Tap Your Potential: Growing Farmer Leadership in Hinkston Creek and Beyond

Author: Jessica Barnes

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Hinkston Creek has been identified as a high nutrient-yielding watershed by Kentucky’s 2021 Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Many farmers in the watershed are part-time operators with limited time and resources, and some are new to utilizing conservation practices. University of Kentucky Extension specialists partnered with the Harrison County Extension ANR agent and Bluegrass Greensource to deliver a farmer-led watershed leadership training to promote farmer engagement in the watershed. The T

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County