Extension
It Starts With Us
Bests Practices for living and working in the local environment
Environmental Stewardship
A. Price, J. Little, A. Amorese
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Soils
Sustainable Agriculture
Environmental Sustainability & Responsibility
*Land owners, environmentalists, and agriculturalists are seeking best practices to protect their natural resources and the local environment
*Detachment from rural and farm life has resulted in fading appreciation for the natural environment
*Expanding population is increasing pressures on local resources, including water, air and undeveloped land, through increased waste, traffic, and development
*Community members wish to encourage behaviors that will protect the local environment.
*Youth will be able to make lifestyle and career choices that will help to protect the environment.
*Families will improve their diets, beautify their surroundings, and add value to their properties through improved gardening and resource management decisions.
*An increase in the number of land owners that will make wise environmental choices.
*Maximize profits for commercial ag producers.
*Minimize environmental impact of pesticide use.
*Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems.
*Youth will use best practices in their gardens and homes.
*Youth will choose to recycle, reduce water use, conserve energy, and increase use of alternative forms of transportation.
*Adults will learn how to upcycle jewelry.
*Adults will learn about home decor making recycled art.
*Adults will learn how to "recycle" and repurpose clothing.
*Adults will learn how to clean chemical free.
*Help producers design effective spray schedules.
*Producers will adopt recommended application techniques.
*Teach the importance of recordkeeping with pesticides.
*Youth will learn best management practices for homes, yards and gardens.
*Youth will learn to locate and identify various types of rocks, plants and animals.
*Youth will learn to garden, compost and recycle.
*Youth will learn about bees and other insects and their roles in pollination and food production.
*Demonstrate proper use of sprayers and other application equipment.
*Teach producers to identify active ingredients in chemical products and their modes of action.
*Observe proper chemical handling and storage.
Initial Outcome: Increase in number of youth reporting use of recycling; best management practices in homes, yards and gardens; water and energy conservation measures; walking, biking, or using public transportation; and enjoying recreational opportunities outdoors.
Indicator: Post-program evaluations, participation in education and experiential programs.
Method: Educational programs in classroom settings; environmental camps; gardening and environmental education projects and activities; walking and biking events and projects; camps and field trips into undeveloped, natural environments.
Timeline: During and immediately after programs; follow-up evaluation some months/years post participation.
Intermediate Outcome: Increase participation in the Farmers Market, gardening programs, rinse and return program and conservation cost share programs.
Indicator: One on one contacts, educational programs and follow-up evaluations.
Method: Educational programs (gardening, cost share programs and a Twilight Field Day
Timeline: During and immediately after programs: Follow up during the next several months.
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Audience:*Youth ages 6-18.
*Retired adults (Empty Nesters).
*College students.
*Families with children.
*Urban youth and families.
*Rural families.
Project or Activity:
*Green and Clean.
*Environmental science education in 4th grade 4-H clubs.
*Youth gardening and horticulture education programs and projects.
*Annual Rinse and Return Program (Fall).
*Environmental and Water Quality information/programs (All Year).
*Vegetable Production Field Day.
*Farmers Market Program.
*Home Vegetable Gardening Programs with limited pesticide use and organic options.
*Provide free soil testing (all year)
*Provide information at annual programs on no till, limited tillage, and the use of cover crops
*Work one on one with producers on land use plans
*Work one on one with producers on manure management
*Farmer's Market Program
*Home vegetable gardening programs with sustainable agriculture emphasis
*Growing season extension programs
*Integrated pest management programs
*Kentucky native plant education
Demonstrations/Research Trails
Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: Project Learning Tree; Project Wet; Project Wild; Project Food, Land, and People;
Inputs:
*Youth gardening projects and programs conducted with support of local businesses, schools, and human services agencies.
*Farmers Market.
Date: Throughout the year.
Activity: *Recyclable Arts Classes.
*Rain Barreling/How to Recycle.
*Green Cleaning.
*Go Green in Your Closet.
*Farmers Market Demo.
*Food Preservation.
*Going Green: Living an environmentally responsible life.
*Water Conservation.
*Household Waste Management: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up, KEHA, Preservation Publications, Home Cleaning, Maintenance and Repair resources.
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Author: Jerry Little
Major Program: Beef
Between 2007 and 2012, the number of farms in Boyle county has declined but the acres of farm land has increased with 38.8% as pasture land. 77% of agriculture products sold in Boyle county is livestock sales, predominately cattle and calves. Boyle county ANR agent worked with agents in Garrard, Lincoln, and Mercer counties and specialists from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment. The Master Cattleman program consists of ten 3-hour sessions with topics related
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
As part of Boyle County’s Arbor Day celebration, the Boyle County Horticulture Agent worked with six Boyle Co. Middle School classes and two Boyle Co. High School classes to learn to ID native Kentucky trees, and the role trees play in carbon sequestration. The high school classes took quizzes to estimate how much carbon each student releases into the atmosphere each year. Then learned how many trees it would take to offset that release of carbon. Discussion was then held consid
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
With the increasing concern for food security, coupled with the detachment from farm life all around the United States, families lack the skills to grow and cook their own food. When asking a group of children where produce comes from, it is not unusual for them to respond with “the store” rather than “the garden.” To aid in combating the issue of knowing where food comes from, as well as what to do with it, the Boyle and Mercer County Horticulture Agents created a joint
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
It is no secret that over the past 100 years the United States, and Kentucky as a whole, has experienced a decrease in farmers. However, according to a recent USDA census those statistics may be beginning to change. In 2007 the USDA reported the first increase in the number of farms since 1920. As a result, colleges are also staring to notice and are providing more options for agriculture related degrees. While these things suggest agriculture is once again moving forward, local universities are
Author: Alethea Price
Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas that can seep into a home from the rocks beneath it. Radon is the second leading cause for lung cancer. This gas can be detected in a home very easily by using a simple home radon test kit.The FCS Agent attended an online webinar about radon. This webinar explained what radon gas is, how it gets into a home, how to test for it, and how to mitigate the problem if it's found. The FCS Agent partnered with the Boyle County Health Department to host a Radon Awa
Author: Jerry Little
Major Program: Beef
Livestock production remains a major force in the agriculture economy in Boyle county. A University of Kentucky specialist was on the program for our area forage meeting and he discussed ways of becoming efficient and protecting the environment at the same time, whlie feeding livestock in the winter. As a result of the meeting the ANR agent was contacted by two producers that wanted a farm visit set up with the specialist so they could discuss in greater depth their feeding operations and
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Boyle Co. Horticulture and Family and Consumer Science Agents have been working with the University of Kentucky Horticulture and Human and Environmental Sciences departments to teach seniors (55+) attending the Boyle Co. Senior Center how to grow thornless, erect blackberry bushes and consume fresh blackberries using healthy recipes. A blackberry-growing program was designed that engages seniors in every step of the process, from planting to harvesting and consuming. This intergenerational,
