Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture and Natural Resource Education - Agriculture Awareness
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education
Michelle Simon
Local Food Systems
Agritourism Planning
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Agriculture leadership groups such as CEC, Community Assessment Forums, Campbell County Agriculture Council, Campbell County Farmland Work group, and the Campbell County Cattle Association identified the need to raise the awareness of the general public about the importance of agriculture and locally produced foods. These same groups also suggested that Extension continue to work with youth and young adults who wish to learn more about the careers in agriculture and/or to support these individuals who are interested in starting a new agriculture career/enterprise. By doing these things the sustainability of agriculture in Campbell County will be well-maintained for the future.
The general public will support local farmers by participating in agriculture business activities such as farmers markets, freezer beef program and other direct market programs. New markets will provide consumers an opportunity to purchase locally produced foods. New, young and existing farmers will become sustainable as they develop new farming enterprises and businesses.
The general public will begin to utilize local grown food products resulting in improved revenue and markets for farmers. Youth/Young adults will graduate from secondary agriculture education programs in preparation for agriculture careers. Youth/young adults/beginning farmers will develop a farm plan that will include the development, management, and marketing of new farming enterprises.
The general public (adults and youth) will learn about the importance of agriculture and markets for purchasing locally produced foods. Youth will participate in high school and post high school educational programs to prepare themselves for future agriculture careers. Beginning farmers will learn about the opportunities and challenges of establishing a new farming enterprise. This will include production and marketing decisions.
Initial Outcome: Adults and youth will learn about the importance of agriculture and where to source locally produced foods. Youth will learn more about agriculture careers.
Indicator: Number of adults and youth participating in educational programs and activities focusing on agriculture, locally produced food, and agriculture careers.
Method: surveys, participant numbers and feedback
Timeline: After educational programs and activities
Intermediate Outcome: Increase participation by the general public in local agriculture markets and purchasing locally produced foods. Increase number of youths involved in agriculture education programs beyond the school. New or existing farmers will implement plans to develop new farming enterprises.
Indicator: Increase participation in local agriculture markets by the general public. Number of youth and adults participating in agriculture and natural resources programs.
Method: Surveys, public and producer feedback, market observations, new markets
Timeline: After educational programs and activities.
Long-term Outcome: Continued increase in participation in agriculture and natural resources awareness programs and activities. This will lead to more productive and profitable Campbell County farming operations both existing and new. Youth and new farmers will gain “on farm” experiences with production agriculture.
Indicator: Number of adults/youths participating in extension sponsored programs. Producers will indicate increased revenue from sales.
Method: post surveys, farm visits, economic records
Timeline: 2021-2024
Audience: General Public
Activity: Locally Produced Foods
Content or Curriculum: Agents, Farmers,
Date: April 2024
Audience: General Public and Beef Farmers
Activity: Campbell County Freezer Beef Program
Content or Curriculum: Campbell County Freezer Beef Program
Date: October 2023
Audience: Middle and High School Students
Activity: Career Fairs (agriculture and horticulture careers)
Content or Curriculum: UK Ag and horticulture career information, UK Ag ambassadors, agents,
Date: February, March and as requested 2024
Audience: Newport High School Students
Project or Activity: Agriculture and Horticulture Club
Content or Curriculum: Livestock and Food Crop Awareness
Inputs: Agents and Farm Tours/Host Farmers (maybe virtual tours)
Date: September - November 2023, after school 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Audience: Newport Youth Leadership Program
Project or Activity: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Farm Tours (virtual)
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture Awareness, Farm Tours, Farm to School
Inputs: Agent, Brighton Center Youth Leadership Program, Host Farms/Farmers
Date: June 2024
Audience: General Public
Activity: Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour
Content or Curriculum: 12-15 Campbell County Farming Operations, (Agriculture Awareness Program)
Date: July 2023, 2024
Audience: SNAP Families
Project or Activity: Community Garden and Vegetable Transplant Project/Give Away
Content or Curriculum: Home gardening and SNAP materials and vegetable transplant Give Away
Inputs: Care Mission Organization, Agent
Date: June 2024
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Agriculture Awareness using Traditional and Social Media
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture Awareness, Program Promotion
Inputs: Facebook, Campbell County Extension Newsletter, Campbell County Recorder, Southern States Ag Display
Date: July 2023 – June 2024
Audience: Beginning Farmers
Activity: Beginning Farmer Program
Content or Curriculum: Program for beginning farmers with less than 5 years of experience
Inputs: Agent, Campbell County Extension Service and Conservation District
Date: July 2023 to June 2024
Audience: Youth - 9 to 18 years old
Activity: Youth in Agriculture Program
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture programs for Youth
Inputs: Agent, Extension Service, Conservation District
Date: July 2023 to May 2024
Audience: FFA Students and Host Farmers
Activity: FFA/ Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE)
Content or Curriculum: SAE Program
Inputs: FFA Advisors, Farmland Workgroup, Farmers, FFA/Agriculture Students, Conservation District, Agent,
Date: School year
Audience: 5th grade students
Activity: Grow It, Eat It, Wear It
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture awareness program
Inputs: Agents, Program Assistants and Volunteers
Date: September 2023
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
The Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour is an annual event held in July that bridges the gap between the urban and rural communities of the county by highlighting local farms and agritourism operations. This tour is self-guided and a wonderful opportunity for the community of farmers to open their gates and the community of consumers to learn about agriculture first-hand from the farmers working the land. Consumers are given the opportunity to see “behind the scenes” of farmers teach
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Campbell County ANR Agent was sought out by Doug Bray, owner of the “Giving Fields”, in hopes of rejuvenating the property and bringing it back to life. The Giving Fields was a flourishing garden in northern Campbell County that produced fruit, vegetables and flowers that were all donated to the less fortunate in the area. Unfortunately, covid forced the Giving Fields to shut the garden gates and stop production. Since then, the property has sat empty with no production or activity.
