Improving our Individual and Community EnvironmentsPlan of Work

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Graves County CES

Title:
Improving our Individual and Community Environments
MAP:
Protecting the Environment
Agents Involved:
Wooley, Chadwick, Rudolph
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Integrated Pest Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

Intermediate Outcomes:

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

Initial Outcomes:

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

Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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



Success Stories

New Graves County Farmers' Market Kickoff Event Huge Success

Author: Miranda Rudolph

Major Program: Local Food Systems

New Graves County Farmers' Market Kickoff Event Huge Success

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

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