Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving our Individual and Community Environments
Protecting the Environment
Wooley, Chadwick, Rudolph
Integrated Pest Management
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production – these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations. As we enter an age of heightened environmental concern, producers need to be aware of best practices. Regulatory pressure continues to increase and producers must learn to operate within departmental guidelines.
In addition, with the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthy and active lifestyle choices. Extension is committed to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities. Focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices, including creating spaces or opportunities for active living and health behaviors.will be crucial in the coming years.
Producers will minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
Producers will improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
Producers will implement IPM practices
Community members will increase positive opinion of GMO/conventional production of non-farm individuals
Community members will create an environment that promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
Youth will be environmentally literate
Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration
Youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship
Producers will adopt usage of new technology for crop production
Community members will maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
Producers will use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
Producers will adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
Community members will improve self-efficacy in physical activity, movement, and active routes to destinations
Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life
Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources
Youth will utilize and practice life skills in 4-H natural resources, environmental projects, clubs, and life situations
Producers will identify IPM practices for grain crops production
Producers will increase understanding of production regulations
Producers will identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
Producers will identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
Community members will increase awareness of accessible safe places for activity
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content
Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship
Youth will develop valuable life skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership
Outcome: Graves County producers will participate in practices that enhance the environment
Indicator: Use of Rinse and Return and Pesticide Applicator Training Cards
Method: Test results and producer action
Timeline: Ongoing
Outcome: Graves County community members will have access and availability to healthy lifestyle choices
Indicator: Number of communities, health coalitions, or organizations who reported: implemented policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating and active living
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Youth plan and implement a natural resource project
Indicator: Youth complete a natural resource project
Method: 4-H Common Measures
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Rinse & Return
Content: Proper disposal of pesticide containers
Date: Year Round
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training
Content: Proper use of Pesticide Private & Commercial
Date: Year Round
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches
Content or Curriculum: Health Coalitions, Story Walk, resources for early care and education settings
Inputs: Volunteers, grant funds, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stakeholders, elected officials, Department of Transportation, Health Coalitions, Employee Health and Wellness, SNAP-Ed Toolkit
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Environmental Sciences
Content: 4-H Backyards and Beyond, 4-H Exploring Your Environment, Leopold Education Project
Inputs: Volunteers, community partners
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Forestry and Wood Science
Content: 4-H Forestry Introducing Yourself to Trees, Kentucky's Useful Forests, Forestry Project Planning Trees, Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Guide
Inputs: Volunteers, community partners
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Water
Content: 4-H Healthy Water, Healthy People; Project WET; 4-H20 Curriculum; 4-H There's No New Water
Inputs: Volunteers, community partners
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Author: Miranda Rudolph
Major Program: Local Food Systems
There has been an ongoing issue in Graves County with creating and sustaining a robust Farmers' Market for the community. Due to several issues, among them not having a good, permanent location to host a market, there has been a lot of negative feedback regarding any efforts to make a market available . According to the 2017 Census, Graves County is the number 1 county for Ag Sales, beating out the second place county by almost $1.2 million dollars. As a county built around agriculture, it h
