Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Urban Forestry
Promoting Sustainability
P. Adkins, C. Hall, W. Long, J. Palmer, C. Perez and K. Smith
Local Food System Development and Mapping
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. However, agriculture in Kentucky’s largest and most urban county, looks decidedly different. With a few hundred traditional farms, production agriculture receipts are quite small. However, urban agriculture, home gardening and commercial horticulture are growing segments. The local food and makers movements are gaining momentum in Jefferson County. Equally important are natural resources. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources for the present and future. Urban surface water moving across agriculture land (urban and rural) potentially remove nutrients, fertilizer and pesticides through erosion. These contaminants are directly related to urban stream degradation. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water/person per day. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use are vital to our existence. Disaster preparedness is necessary for safe communities. Each year, on average, Kentuckians deal with 30-50 days associated with thunderstorms, and 12 days with tornadoes. Additionally, flooding is a problem in Jefferson County, as well as other natural disasters.
Climate change is also very likely to affect food security at the global, regional, and local level. Climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food quality.[1] For example, projected increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, changes in extreme weather events, and reductions in water availability may all result in reduced agricultural productivity. Increases in the frequency and severity extreme weather events can also interrupt food delivery, and resulting spikes in food prices after extreme events are expected to be more frequent in the future. Increasing temperatures can contribute to spoilage and contamination.
Creating production sites that can mitigate the effects of extreme weather will be necessary to maintain access to food for underserved communities.
Increase number of youth and adults practicing and advocating for sustainable home agriculture.
Youth will use scientific techniques to positively sustain the natural resources.
Youth and adults will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
Youth and adults will value and advocate for water resources, water quality and reduce stormwater pollutants from agriculture runoff.
Youth and adults will protect and improve water, soil and air resources.
Youth and adults will maintain or improve wildlife habitat.
Homeowners will increase sustainable home management practices in lawn and landscape.
Production Agriculturalists will increase sustainable management practices.
Increased tree planting will help to maintain or decrease the “heat island effect.”
Increase the number of youth and adults participating in high tunnel production in non traditional spaces, such as indoors, greenhouses and high tunnels
Increase the total acreage of production under protected structures
Youth and adults will engage in more innovative and technologically efficient production methods to increase production output on the same amount of acreage
Youth and adults are making changes in their daily lives that implement sustainable practices and home horticulture such as gardening, water conservation, recycling and an increase in community-based initiatives around the same things.
Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Youth practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Producers implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their property or in their community.
Advocate for stormwater BMPs with clients and community leaders
Develop, update and implement Ag Water Quality Plan and Nutrient Management Plan
Adults will acquire vacant unproductive land for purposes of agriculture
Adults will increase number of applications for the EQUIP program for free high tunnels through the NRCS
Youth and adults gain knowledge and skills, and an understanding of the interdependencies of the ecosystem. Learn valuable life skills that pertain to horticulture and environmental issues.
Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Youth and adults will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Youth and adults can recognize the water quality issues/needs on their property, at their school, in the community
Youth and adults can understand the benefits of native plants, non-aggressive perennials, and vegetation in the landscape
Youth and adults will gain knowledge of production practices through Extension resources (agents, specialists, publications, workshops)
Producers undergo training in best management practices and food safety certifications
Youth and adults learn about season extension and the benefits of high tunnel / greenhouse production
Youth and adults learn about the projected impact of climate change on the sustainability of agriculture in the future
Initial Outcome: Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil
conservation.
Indicator: Number of homeowners who successfully deliver a soil sample
Method: Extension soil test records and vouchers
Timeline: Ongoing through the year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Indicator: Attendance numbers at agricultural programs.
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Long-term Outcome: Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and sustainable agriculture.
Indicator: An increase in the number of youth and adults that participate,
practice and advocate for sustainable horticulture and agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardeners program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener manual
Inputs: speakers, lab class, quizzes, tests, agent time
Date: May 2023 – October 2024
Program Code: 1032
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: summer programs, after school clubs
Content or Curriculum: activities, project wild, Jr MG program
Inputs: Jr. MG program curriculum
Date: July 2023 – June 2024
Program: 4001
Audience: AdultsProject or Activity: Community Garden Facilitation & Seasonal Education
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications
Inputs: Master Gardener volunteers; agents; specialists.
content curriculum
Date: year-round 2020-2024.
Program Code: 1031
Audience: Youth & AdultsProject or Activity: How-To Festival Gardening Education & Seed Swap
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications
Inputs: Master Gardener volunteers; agents; specialists; community volunteers; donated seeds.
content curriculum
Date: May 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Program Code: 1031
Audience: English Language Learning Commercial Producers
Project or Activity: Incubator Farm Program
Content or Curriculum: Curriculum developed by CommonEarth & Jefferson Co. Extension
Inputs: Farms, KDA, agents, buyers, farmers, CommonEarth Gardens, farmers markets, KCARD
Date: Jan.-Nov. 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Program Code: 1053
Audience: Commercial producers
Project or Activity: PBPT Training, farmers market sampling certificate,
organic certification, Senior Voucher Stamp Training,
Content or Curriculum: Programs associated with above projects
Inputs: Farms, KDA, agents, buyers, farmers
Date: June 2020; April/May 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Program Code: 1053
Audience: Senior CitizensProject or Activity: Food Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: CES publications, Plate It Up, Farmers Market
Inputs: All CES Agents, CES publications, extension publications
Date: July 2023 – June 2024
Program Code: 2062
Audience: YouthProject or Activity: Ag Field Day
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: September 2023
Program Code: 4011
Audience: YouthProject or Activity: Jr. MANRRS
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: September 2023 – August 2024
Program Code: 4041
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: September 2023 – August 2024
Program Code: 4011
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Camp
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: September 2023 – August 2024
Program Code: 4081
Audience: YouthProject or Activity: School Gardening
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Academic years 2021-2022; 2022-2023, 2023-2024
Program Code: 4011
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: September 2023 – August 2024
Program Code: 4011
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Clubs
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: September 2023 – August 2024
Program Code: 4011
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Urban Homesteading Classes
Content or Curriculum: Urban Homesteading Curriculum
Inputs: Paid staff, community partners/volunteers; program fees
Date: Feb.-Sept. 2021; Feb.-Sept. 2022; Feb.-Sept. 2023
Program Code: 1051
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: KY Master Naturalist Program
Content or Curriculum: KY Master Naturalist Curriculum
Inputs: Paid staff, community partners/volunteers; program fees; extension specialists
Date: 2020 – 2023
Program Code: 1126
Audience: youth and adults
Project: High tunnel greenhouse production
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications, extension fact sheets
Inputs: Master Gardener volunteers, extension agents, specialists, content curriculum
July 1 2022- June 30 2023
Program Code: 1031
Author: Jennifer Palmer
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
The problem found within community gardens is soil erosion and poor soil quality due to over production of the crops. A secondary problem is allowing the soil to lay bare in the off season and this allows the soil to further erode and nutrients to be lost with each weather occurrence. The other concern is water quality issues in the garden and surrounding areas. An ongoing problem is weed control and this exacerbated during the off season when the ground is allowed to be farrow. The e
Author: Von Barnes
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Louisville Tool Library is a great place for community to gather, especially if they want to become backyard farmers and start yardens. There has been a monthly seed savers workshop with Jody Dahmer of Beargrass Thunder and Von Barnes of KYSU Cooperative Extension where they demonstrate techniques to saving seeds and preserving a variety of seeds from plants that have produced well around the county.This is so important Louisville is an urban heat island, and it is important to have the seeds th
Author: Von Barnes
Major Program: Community Engagement
Over 20 high schools in Jefferson County and the surrounding area send students of color to the 13 annual HBCU Showcase at the Kentucky International Civic Center. There these scholars were able to watch presentations and experience different action and increase enrollment at the university. KYSU's presence at these college fairs also gives scholars a visual of the university's presence in the community.At these events, KYSU representatives provide and financial aid opportunities.
Author: Chanda Hall
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
For the first time, Jefferson County 4-H hosted 13 families from both Eisenhower and Elementary Schools at Jefferson Memorial Forest! A partnership with JCPS Family Resource Centers, Accelerating Hills, Eisenhower PTA, and 4-H volunteers made this dream a reality. 13 families and 5 volunteers totaling 56 people in attendance. Through hands-on experience, reflection, and transferable skill development, the Jefferson County 4-H program fostered transformative education. Roo
Author: Jennifer Palmer
Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
The problem was infrastructure issues as Farnsley-Moreman community garden that created unsafe gardening space at times. The community garden faced infrastructure issues that caused concern with the gardeners. These concerns were brought to my attention via calls, emails and at the garden meeting. These concerns were with the road and individuals going to the portion of the the garden that was not associated with the garden. Other issues were theft with produce. The gardeners w
Author: Jennifer Palmer
Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
The problem was lack of access to land and not having access to farming and business classes. The educational program response was overwhelming this year with increased class size and and we split the track into business track and a track focused on farming practices. The participants/target audience - Immigrant farmers that are newly arrived and farm teams that have been participating in the program since 2011. The farmers farm on multiple sites including the seventeen plots that are
Author: Von Barnes
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Louisville Tool Library is a great place for community to gather, especially if they want to become backyard farmers and start yardens. There has been a monthly seed savers workshop with Jody Dahmer of Beargrass Thunder and Von Barnes of KYSU Cooperative Extension where they demonstrate techniques to saving seeds and preserving a variety of seeds from plants that have produced well around the county. The primary focus of these workshops are to get more growers in the community to produ
Author: Jennifer Palmer
Major Program: Plant ID
The problem weeds inside animal enclosures that could impact the safety of the animals on exhibit. Zookeepers and veterinarians were unsure of identification of the weeds. The educational program response was to complete a site assessment and walk through of the the exhibits. We also collected samples to send for for identification at University of Kentucky. The participants/target audience was the veterinarians and staff the Louisville Zoo.Other partners (if applicable)Program i
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: Camping
4-H Summer Camp is More Than Fun and Games A typical 5-day 4-H Camp session offers upwards of 96 hours of direct, uninterrupted contact between youth and their cabin leaders/counselors. That’s the equivalent of a family sitting down at the dinner table for 30-minutes, 192 days of the year. The interactions offered in a residential camp/group living setting is so important to youth. The time we spend with youth in the camp setting offers opportunities for those youth to fee
