Extension
It Starts With Us
AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT--2020
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
SHAD BAKER, NANETTE BANKS, CRYSTAL SMITH
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Trail Design
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Situation:
According to 2017 Census of Ag, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Letcher County was $138,000, which was only a slight increase over the previous five-year census. The land in farms is 5,623 total acres on 103 farms. There are only 48 acres in croplands. The estimated market value of these farms is $163,784. These numbers show that Letcher County has a very small agricultural economy relative to other counties in the state. This is likely due to the very mountainous terrain. However, niche crops that take advantage of the local farmers market and interest in specialty crops shows promise, as it has accounted for almost all crop value growth. Niche crops of interest and promise for local clientele include honeybees, maple syrup, small fruits (blueberries, brambles, etc.), and mushrooms.
The economy is in the process of finding its footing after the rapid decline in value and depletion of the coal industry. In its place is an interest in tourism, and nature-based activities. The tourism task force has placed a strong emphasis on trails, with the Pine Mountain Trail/Great Eastern Trail hiking trails, Tanglewood Bike Trail, the Pioneer Horse Trail and regional ATV trails being central. Public support for advancing these programs was requested during Letcher County Needs Assessment and County Extension Council meetings. Coupled with these projects is a need for litter abatement, recycling, and green-living and work on natural resource management, which includes timber management.
Long-term Outcomes:
- Clientele will use responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home & community.
- Clientele will practice proper environmental stewardship that will conserve natural resources and the productivity of the land while maximizing the economic and social benefits.
- Clientele will utilize the farmers market to market produce.
- Clientele will volunteer for community projects such as trail construction, litter pick-up, stream and river clean-ups.
Intermediate Outcomes:
- Clients will put knowledge gained from Extension programs into practice by using recommended Forestry and Horticultural practices.
- Clients will increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
- The number of farmers seeking access to equipment, master loggers, soil testing, etc. will increase.
- Land owners, youth and citizens recognize that forests and wildlife are renewable resources which can produce economic benefits and enjoyment for our community
Initial Outcomes:
- Requests for horticultural information will increase.
- Clients will value local food products and take steps to produce these crops.
- Farmers Market attendance and sales will increase.
- Increase in master logger or woodland owner participation. Increased demand for horticulture workshops.
- Community leaders, landowners, youth, and citizens will gain knowledge of the use of recommended management practices and the effect of the proper use of these practices on the environment.
- Community leaders, land owners, youth and citizens value proper environmental stewardship practices and become aware of the impact of the decisions they make on the environment.
Evaluation
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in environmental education
Indicator: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle initiatives implemented, county clean-up of streams/roadsides
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in agricultural enterprises
Indicator: agricultural enterprises will be launched
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in natural resources
Indicator: maple school, master logger, etc. programs utilized
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain a knowledge and increase skills in tourism development
Indicator: Volunteer in tourism projects and task force committees will occur
Method: Observation and Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Learning Opportunities
Audience: Producers, Homemakers, Youth, Senior Citizens, Community Members
Project or Activity: Horticultural Workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Power-points, Woodland Owner Short-course, Pesticide Certification Trainings, 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Assistants & Specialists
Date: Summer 2023, Spring 2024
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training,
Content or Curriculum: KDA-approved curriculum (PBPT Power-Point),
Inputs: ANR and FCS Agents
Date: Spring 2024
Project or Activity: Greenhouse- Basics of Horticulture, Season Extenders
Content or Curriculum: AG and 4-H curriculums
Inputs: AG, FCS and 4 H Agents,, Assistants and Extension Staff
Date: Summer -Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Non-Timber Forest Products (Maple, Ginseng, Shiitake)
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point, Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: AG, FCS and 4H Agents, Program Assistants and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Fall 2023, Winter 2024
Project or Activity: Raptor Program/Falconry
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: Program Assistant, FCS & 4-H Agents and/or UK Specialists.
Date: 2023-2024
Project or Activity: Trail Programs (Tanglewood Trail, Bike Trail, and Pioneer Horse Trail)
Content or Curriculum: Leopold Education Project, CEDIK Materials, Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: ANR Agent, Assistant and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Project or Activity: Woodland Owner Short Course
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: ANR Agent and/or UK Specialists
Date: Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Tourism Hikes, Wellness Walks
Content or Curriculum: Get Moving Kentucky, Couch Potato Challenge, Tree ID Booklets, Plant ID Publications, Leopold Education Project
Input: ANR, FCS and 4H Agents and Assistants, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Project or Activity: Pollinator Promotion,
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Spring 2024
Project or Activity: Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Honey Day, A Bee's Life, 4-H Bee Ambassador Program
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Summer-Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Pumpkin Days
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum, ANR Publications
Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Staff
Date: Fall 2023
Project or Activity: Green Living
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent & Assistant
Date: Spring 2024
Project or Activity: Master Naturalists & 4-H Master Naturalists
Content or Curriculum: Master Naturalist Curriculum, Backyards & Beyond, Exploring Your Environment
Inputs: ANR and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Summer-Fall 2023
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
When a 1000-year flood hit Letcher County and others in the southeast of the state, agricultural producers took a significant hit. Most all of the industry is located in bottoms along the small, narrow valleys the region is known for. High-Tunnels, horticultural crops, beekeepers, livestock and others were decimated. Without assistance, there would be no future production.Working to boost morale, give producers contacts to the various agencies that offer assistance, to allow producers to investi
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Many people make soil preparations and invest in inputs for gardening, but only reap half the harvest because they only utilize half the growing season. This shortfall especially impacts those who rely upon gardening to stretch their food dollars.In order to help encourage full-season production, the Letcher County Extension Office partnered with Tractor Supply in a mid-summer seed donation program. The donation of seed amounted to over $14,000 worth of free seed being distributed to clientele,
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Eastern Kentucky has a growing amount of land that is underutilized for livestock. The regional economy needs multiple options for agricultural producers, and with sheep production once being a major player for the area, consideration of this industry has revived.The Letcher County Extension Office partnered with the Southeast Kentucky Sheep Association to offer a Sheep Night for interested producers. Speakers from the association and Virginia Tech along with local producers. Over 60 clientele w
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness
Unless you've ever lost a loved one to an unexpected tragedy, you cannot relate to the traumatic impact of a house fire. On top of the extreme personal loss of loved ones comes the added burden from loss of housing, memories, financial resources and family legacies. Each year, Kentucky suffers 8.5 deaths per every 1000 fires. This is 39.3% higher than the national average of 6.1; an appalling number. To address this problem in Letcher County, the Extension Office teamed with the Sandlic
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Kentucky has a large and increasing number of maple trees in our woodlands. These trees have been viewed by the industry as "less than" because their timber value is lower than that of hardwood oaks. But is timber the whole story? Most economic experts will tell you that communities and landowners should work with what they have rather than attempting to obtain what they do not have. Non-timber forest products should not be ignored.In order to promote awareness of the potential value o
