Agriculture Production and Environmental LiteracyPlan of Work

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Allen County CES

Title:
Agriculture Production and Environmental Literacy
MAP:
Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment
Agents Involved:
Adam Huber (ANR), Bailey West (FCS), Anna Meador (4-H)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Chemical Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beef
Situation:

Allen County is located in south central Kentucky where there is an abundant amount of agriculture and wildlife present. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Allen County is the #1 producer of vegetables and #1 producer of cattle and calve sales in the state. With 21% of the land in Allen County being woodlands and Barren River Lake flowing into the county, there are numerous outdoor activities and accommodations that Allen County has to offer outdoor enthusiasts. 

As you can see, Allen County is very diverse and with the help of County Extension Council, we identified the needs in our community, as well as programs that will help community members be more comfortable growing and safely handling their own food, exercising and staying healthy, along with learning the importance of keeping our environment clean and pollution free.     

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
  1. Increase participation in outdoor activities    
  2. Apply safety practices in Ag, Environment & wildlife activities 
  3. Employ best practices in livestock & horticulture production 
  4. Demonstrate food safety practices 
  5. Use habitat improvement methods to increase wildlife populations
Initial Outcomes:
  1. Recognize the importance of environmental footprint 
  2. Increase confidence in growing produce and livestock for consumption 
  3. Utilize safety practices in ag, environment, and wildlife  
  4. Learn 3 or more best practices in livestock, health, nutrition, & production 
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Learn 3 or more best practices in livestock, health, nutrition, & production 

Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farming operation

Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys

Timeline:  Annually after completion of programs 


Intermediate Outcome Increase participation of outdoor activities    

Indicator: Individuals state that they increased physical outdoor activities and exercise 

Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys

Timeline: Annually after completion of programs 


Intermediate Outcome:  Use habitat improvement methods to increase wildlife populations

Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farming operation. 

Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys

Timeline: Annually after completion of programs 


Long-term Outcome:  Maximize best management practices in farming operations 

Indicator:  Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farm to improve yield, profit and BMP

Method:  verbal, paper and electronic surveys

Timeline: Annually after completion of programs 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Agriculture producers, elected officials, educators and all stakeholders

Project or Activity: Farm to Table Event

Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market ToolkitFarm to Table

Inputs: ANR, FCS & 4-H agents, Chamber of Commerce members, donated items 

Date: Annually, Fall 

Project or Activity:  Agriculture Field Day 

Content or Curriculum: General Ag content from UK specialist 

Inputs: ANR, FCS & 4-H agents, Ag Advisory Committee members, UK specialist, Vendors, donated items

Date: Annually Spring or Fall

 

Audience: Youth, Families, Stakeholders

Project or Activity:  Environmental Camp

Content or Curriculum: Forestry, wildlife & fish, environmental sustainability 

 Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H agents, 

Date: Annually, Summer

Project or Activity: 4-H livestock and horse projects

Content or Curriculum: 4-H agriculture core

Inputs: Club leaders, community partners

Date: Annually

            

Audience: Agriculture producers, business owners, families, youth   and stakeholders

Project or Activity:  Seed to Sell Program 

Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit training, Plate It up KY proud, NEP “Grow Your Own” publications, 4-H Communication curriculum, 4-H Entrepreneurship curriculum

Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H Agent, youth participants, Allen County Farmers Market, supplies from local vendors 

Date: Annually, Spring-Summer


Project or Activity:  Farmers Market Education 

Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit training, Plate It up KY proud

Inputs: ANR, FCS, NEP Assistant, Farmers Market manager/vendors 

Date: Annually, May-October


Project or Activity:  Wildlife and commercial vegetable meetings

Content or Curriculum: Research from UK specialist, UK publications

Inputs: UK Specialist, ANR Agent, KY Fish and Wildlife, KY Division of Forestry 

Date: Annually, Spring, Fall, Winter



Success Stories

Pumpkin Field Walk

Author: Adam Huber

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Pumpkin Field Walk

Pumpkin Filed Walk Pumpkin production is on the increase in South Central Kentucky and Allen County ranks #1 in the state for vegetable and melon production, therefore we have a lot of growers in our county and many of them are pumpkin growers. The current demand of locally grown agriculture products, and the booming agritourism industry have opened a market for locally grown pumpkins.  Pumpkins, as with all cucurbits, present unique challenges during the heat and humidity of Kentucky&

Full Story

Digging Up Ag Podcast

Author: Adam Huber

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Digging Up Ag PodcastIn today’s world, media outlets such as podcasts and social media are one of the best ways to reach clientele with educational resources and information. With these media sources you can be creative, flexible, and really accomplish your goals while reaching people that you may not normally reach with traditional marketing methods.With the growing demand for podcasts, agents from Allen, Monroe and Hart counties teamed up to present a new podcast to clientele called &ldq

Full Story

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop

Author: Adam Huber

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop

South Central Kentucky has many producers that operate commercial and home orchards, specifically apples and peaches. In response to the growing number of fruit producers and the need for fruit tree pruning education, the West 8 Agriculture Agents put together a hands-on workshop to help growers with tree care and proper pruning methods. In February 2024 a fruit tree pruning workshop was held on the farm of the Dennison family in Hart County. The Dennison family are long time fruit producer

Full Story

SOKY Pesticide Training

Author: Adam Huber

Major Program: Integrated Pest Management

  Application of crop protection chemicals and lawn/landscape chemicals is an important industry in South Central Kentucky.  Professional applicators must receive training to stay current on issues, pests, techniques, and safety for the products they apply.  They have to receive continuing education to maintain their applicator license.  The agriculture and horticulture agents around the Mammoth Cave responded to a need for a commercial training opportunity by developing

Full Story

Tobacco GAP

Author: Adam Huber

Major Program: Tobacco

The Mammoth Cave Area has historically been at the top in tobacco production in KY.  Agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe and Monroe Counties cooperated to host a regional Tobacco GAP Training.  Tobacco GAP trainings are mandatory yearly trainings required by the major tobacco purchasing companies.  Extension is charged with hosting and facilitating these very important trainings.  Growers who do not receive the annual training run the risk of not being able to market th

Full Story
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