Extension
It Starts With Us
Water Quality, Nutrient and Natural Resources Best Management Practice
Natural Resources Stewardship and Protection
FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Integrated Pest Management
Health
Agriculture is a leading contributor to water pollution in Kentucky. Developing and implementing Agriculture Water Quality Plans and Nutrient Management Plans can help farmers stay compliant with state laws, protect water quality, improve farm operations, and maximize profits. Chemical application at its best is simultaneously safe, effective, economical, and environmentally-conscious. Achieving each of these attributes for plant pest management is an ongoing educational process for a variety of applicator groups, including farm managers and workers, gardeners, and home owners. This process will include soil testing and fertilizer recommendations, educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations, test plots, coordinated recommendations, and site-specific farm visits. Attention to these foci will benefit not only producers and applicators, but anyone who comes in contact with agricultural fields or uses Kentucky food, fuel, and fiber crops as part of everyday life.
* Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air
* Protect and improve water quality
* Reduce occurrence of muddy areas on the farm
* Improve efficiency of manure handling
* Maximize profits for Ag producers
* Reduce environmental impacts of winter feeding areas
* Economic and Community Development
* Maximize profits for commercial Ag producers
* Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
* Reduction of drift related complaints and damage
* Reduction in rate of pesticide resistance development in pests, weeds, pathogens
* Improve sustainability of crop production systems
*Reduction of crop injury due to pesticide applications (rate, compatibility, application conditions)
* Develop or update Ag. Water Quality and Nutrient Management plans
* Adopt conservation practices appropriate to farming operation
* Maintain records of practice implementation
* Maintain records of nutrient applications
* Adopt appropriate manure handling practices
* Maintain vegetative buffers along water bodies
* Adopt appropriate fallen livestock disposal practices
* Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease, weeds
* Compare chemical options based on time, availability, cost, companion tactics
* Design effective spray schedules for plant pest management
* Evaluate and Adopt one or more chemical storage, handling, disposal recommendations
* Adopt recommended application techniques
* Calibrate sprayer, select appropriate nozzles and pressure, test spray water
* Record chemical use, frequency, timing, tank mixes
* Post signage for recently applied chemicals
* Communicate with owners/users of pesticide-sensitive areas (beeyards, sensitive crops, etc.)
* Understand importance of clean water
* Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
* Recognize best management practices for soil conservation
* Identify best management practices for nutrient management
* Demonstrate proper use of sprayers and equipment related to application (calibration, nozzle selection, boom height, etc.)
* Identify active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action
* Read and comprehend directions for applying chemicals (timing, application conditions)
* Name 2 or more companion tactics to be used alongside chemical approaches
Observe proper chemical handling, storage, and cleanup in home, farm, or business
* Understanding drift mitigation methods
* Understanding IPM (triggers to spray, thresholds, etc.)
* Identify pesticide-sensitive areas around fields
* Increase understanding of homeowner/gardener pest management tactics
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of water quality, soil fertility, and pesticide management issues
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills, or aspirations related to water quality and chemical ag. management issues
Method: pre- and post-tests, phone conversations
Timeline: Ongoing (2020-2024)
Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of appropriate technologies and best management practices
Indicator: Number of producers utilizing best management practices introduced by Extension
Method: Phone calls, Home and farm visits, questionnaires
Timeline: June, (2020-2024)
Long-term Outcome: Producers using best management practices resulting in improved water quality, appropriate use of Ag. chemicals and appropriate management of soil nutrients
Indicator: Number of homeowners and producers self-reporting an improvement in water, soil nutrient, and Ag. chemical management as a result of adopting one or more practices recommended by Extension
Method: Surveys, home, and farm visits
Timeline: Ongoing (2020-2024)
Audience: Landowners and operators
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Pesticide Training
Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: Research-based approved publications and presentations developed by Agents, and UK Specialist, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits
Date: February (2020-2024)
Audience: Landowners and operators
Project or Activity: Ag. Water Quality Plan Development Training
Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: Research-based approved publications and presentations developed by Agents, and UK Specialist, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits
Date: October (2020-2024)
Audience: Landowners and operators
Project or Activity: Nutrient Management Field Day at Eden Shale Farm
Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: Research-based approved publications and presentations developed by Agents, and UK Specialist, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits
Date: May, (2020-2024)
Audience: Owen County Middle School, 5-8th Grade
Project or Activity: Environmental Education- Summer Enrichment Programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Inputs: Soil Conservation, State Wildlife Department
Date: Spring (2020-2024)
Audience: Owen County Youth, 9-19
Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club
Content or Curriculum: Certified Leader's Manual
Inputs: Certified Leaders and Coaches, Eden Shale Range, Donors, Ammunition and guns
Date: Fall, Summer (2020-2024)
Author: David Gabbard
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
In November the Owen County 4-H Agent hosted two events focused on wildlife and natural resources. The first event was a Trapping Basics Program, the Owen County 4-H Agent brought in a guest speaker, professional Hunter/Trapper, a native Owen Countian, and 4-H Parent. The speaker came in to lead this program and spoke to 25 individuals (youth and parents). These youth learned why trapping was important for habitat and wildlife management, wildlife populations, and possible monetary incentiv
