Extension
It Starts With Us
Animal Science & Natural Resource Education
Natural Resources Conservation
Adkins, Harper, Wilson
Beef
Sustainable Agriculture
Chemical Crop Management Tools
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Pulaski County is considered a rural county but many of its residents and children are not from a rural environment. Pulaski County has approximately 1700 farmers but our population is 63,000 (2010) and is projected to grow to 71,000 by 2020. Many will move here to retire while others will come for job opportunities. Pulaski County has many natural resources: Lake Cumberland, many acres of forested land, vast wildlife and managed livestock, and good soils.
Today's youth and adults must learn to responsibly enjoy and conserve the natural resources that Pulaski County is fortunate to have. As the county grows, many of our natural resources may be destroyed or threatened. Extension has a responsibility to educate our residents about these potential threats and the importance of conserving what we have.
Data from the last 20 years shows that more than 70% of Pulaski Co Home & Garden soil samples are in the adequate to high range for phosphorous. Overabundance of phosphorous is bad for our water systems and is wasteful.
Beekeeping has grown in Pulaski County. The association has doubled its membership over the last few years. The Beginning Bee Schools have been hugely successful, increasing our base number of beekeepers by 30-40 over the last few years. Therefore, honey bee and pollinator health is of great importance in this county.
Adults and youth will maintain or improve the natural resources on their properties. Lake Cumberland will remain a clean water source. Soils will be conserved on the farm and at home. Managed livestock and unmanaged wildlife will survive and thrive. The number of beekeepers will increase or remain steady.
Adults and youth will mentor others in keeping bees and become involved in the local beekeepers association.
Home gardeners will take soil samples of their properties and follow UK recommendations for fertility for their home landscapes.
Adults and youth will plant pollinator-friendly gardens.
Adults and youth will become beekeepers.
Home gardeners will learn about soil testing.
Adults and youth will learn the importance of conserving wildlife (native pollinators), bees, and which plants support them at their homes or schools.
Adults and youth become more proficient at the production of livestock.
Initial Outcome: Adults and youth become beekeepers
Indicator:
Method: personal communication
Timeline: Spring 2018
Initial Outcome: Adults and youth learn about soil testing
Indicator: number of soil tests increase
Method:
Timeline: throughout year 2017-18
Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth will be involved in beekeeping association
Indicator: attendance at meetings
Method:
Timeline: throughout year 2017-18
Long-term Outcome: Same or more number of beekeepers
Indicator: presence at local association meetings or inter schools
Method:
Timeline: throughout year 2017-18
Audience: Adults and youth interested in beekeeping
Project or Activity: Beginner Beekeeping School
Content or Curriculum: Notebook containing various UK and other university publications
Inputs: KY bee specialists, local beekeepers
Date: Winter 2018
Audience: Home gardeners and youth
Project or Activity: various toolbox classes, youth career days, community events
Content or Curriculum: powerpoints, displays, UK publications
Inputs: Master Gardeners, UK specialists, Hort Agents, UK publications, other professionals
Date: throughout year 2017-18
Audience: Beekeepers or other interested adults
Project or Activity: various activities in the hive at the Extension office
Content or Curriculum: various, will use local knowledge, topics such as requeening, splitting the hive, combining hives, honey extraction, etc(as needed)
Inputs: experienced beekeepers, hives, all equipment pertaining to beekeeping
Date: April 2018-June 2018
Audience: Home gardeners
Project or Activity: Rain Garden workshop
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: UK specialists, local greenhouse
Date: spring 2018
Author: Trent Adkins
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The 2017 City to Farm Tour was held on September 14th, 20017 with well over 70 local business leaders/ Pulaski county chamber members in attendance. Extension partnered with the Somerset-Pulaski Co Chamber of Commerce to plan the event. The event is to help educate our community about the changes that have occurred in agriculture over the past decades. This behind-the-scenes look at local agriculture allowed community leaders the opportunity to meet the hard-working farmers and producers who kee
Author: Meagan Lucas
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
On October 12th Pulaski County 4-H hosted its first Safety Day. Over 690 eighth grade students from the northern and southern middle schools were in attendance. Students visited eight stations where they learned about topics ranging from livestock, electrical, tractor, wildlife, and ATV safety, to first aid, and drug and alcohol prevention. We worked with several community partners to put together the safety day, the local EMS and Sheriff’s department were there to teach the students, as w
Author: Trent Adkins
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Pulaski County 4-H hosted the KDA Mobile Ag Science Center this spring at three different middle schools. Over 800 seventh grade students from the Northern, Southern, and Meece Middle schools were in attendance. Students visited the Mobile Ag Center during their science class and created a project using Ag products. One such product was a biodegradable bouncy ball made of cornstarch. Students learned that corn is renewable resources that can be used to create plastics as opposed to petroleum whi
