Extension
It Starts With Us
Develop stronger, more sustainable agricultural economy and conserve natural resources.
Agriculture Education/Production and Environmental awareness.
Moses (Community Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Local Food Systems
In the most recent 2017 Census of Agriculture, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Whitley County was $6,059,000. The total farm production expenses (average per farm) was $12,478 compared to $61,929 for the state. Farm acreage is 58,983 acres which is 21% of the county total. There are 668 farmers with an average age of 58.
Forests cover nearly half the state of Kentucky and are the foundation of a forest sector that is a major economic force in the Commonwealth.
The 2020 estimates for the economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest sector include:
-$9.55 billion in direct economic contribution
-$13.97 billion in total economic contributions
-27,000 jobs in the forest sector and an estimated 53,000 jobs overall
The Kentucky Forest Sector is divided into six sub-sectors:
-Logging
-Primary Wood Manufacturing
-Pulp and Paper
-Secondary Wood Manufacturing
-Paper Converters
-Wood Residue
Each of these sub-sectors is comprised of multiple forest businesses. The wood resources that support Kentucky’s forest sector primarily come from Kentucky’s forests. Each acre of harvested timber is estimated to contribute $23,288 to Kentucky’s economy. Whitley County contributes to all aspects of the forest sector economy in Kentucky.
-Increased support for local food producers.
-Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations.
-Reduced illegal dumping and littering.
-Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations.
-Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner.
-People understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy.
-Agricultural and forestry operators/producers become aware of and try new markets
-Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County.
-More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering.
-Agricultural and forestry markets identified and promoted.
Longterm Outcome: Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operations remaining in business.
Method: Observation and surveys.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Longterm Outcome: Reduced illegal dumping and littering.
Indicator: Number of people using “Dumpster Days” as a way to dispose of trash and debris.
Method: Observation and “Dumpster Days” records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Longterm Outcome: Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations.
Indicator: Number of new or expanding agricultural and forestry markets.
Method: Observation and forest products industry index.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Intermediate Outcome: Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in trainings offered.
Method: Observation and training records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Intermediate Outcome: All people understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy.
Indicator: Number of people who participate in pollution education events.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Intermediate Outcome: Agricultural and forestry operators become aware of and try new markets.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in market education events.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Initial Outcome: Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County.
Indicator: Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in educational events.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Initial Outcome: More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering.
Indicator: Number of advertisements for “Dumpster Days” in media.
Method: Circulation of newspapers and social media contacts.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Initial Outcome: More Whitley County residents become aware of agricultural and forestry markets.
Indicator: Number of participants who become aware of agricultural and forestry markets.
Method: Observation and event records.
Timeline: Ongoing.
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA, NRCS, etc.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: Meets monthly 2020-2024
Audience: Sheep/goat producersProject or Activity: Southeast sheep and goat association.
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA, NRCS, etc.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: Meets annually 2020-2024
Audience: Sustainable agriculture.
Project or Activity: Small Farms Group
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA, NRCS, etc.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: Meets monthly 2020-2024
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activities: Whitley County Bee Club
Content: UK pubs, KDA Beelines and other pubs, and KSU pubs.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: Meets monthly except winter 2020-2024
Audience: Gardeners
Project or Activities: Save the Children gardening program
Content: UK pubs
Inputs: HORT, FNEP
Date: monthly meetings.
Audience: Agricultural and Horticultural producers.
Project or Activities: Pesticide safety trainings.
Content: UK pubs and KDA training materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: Two times a year 2020-2024
Audience: Loggers
Project or Activities: Master Logger trainings
Content: UK pubs and Kentucky Division of Forestry materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: April 2023-2024
Audience: Whitley County residents.
Project or Activities: Whitley County Ag Day.
Content: UK pubs and other agency materials.
Inputs: specialists and agents
Date: Annual event in August/September 2020-2024
Audience: Whitley County landowners and forest industry personnel.
Project or Activities: Kentucky Wood Expo
Content: UK pubs
Inputs: specialists and agents.
Date: Biennial 2020-2024
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activities: Art and Agriculture workshops
Content: UK pubs, CEDIK
Inputs: Ag, Community Arts, Volunteers
Date: Spring-Fall 2020-2024
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activities: Mixed Media with materials from environment
Content: UK pubs, CEDIK
Inputs: ANR, HORT, Community Arts, Volunteers, 4-H
Date: 2020-2024
Audience: General Public/Families
Project or Activity: Environmental education through the arts
Content or Curriculum: UK publication, Fine Arts, KSU, SNAP, NASA, Horticulture, Agriculture, FCS, NAAEE, KEEC
Inputs: Community Arts, 4-H, Agricultural, local artist, Volunteers, Soil Conservation Service, Local Recycling organizations, schools
Date: Spring-Fall 2021-24
Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Beef
The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents met in the spring of 2023 to plan a series of chute side beef programs. These programs were designed with the intention of allow producers to stand alongside agents at the working chute. Live demonstrations of beef quality care and assurance practices, reproduction procedures, cattle weighing, freeze branding and general management practices would be conducted chute side. The agent team discussed the fact that many times these
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
The problem In its inaugural year, the program "Celebrating People in Agriculture" had the challenge of establishing a new program in a community where I had just started. The community has limited available information and resources.The educational program response:The program impact or participant response to the education program, "Celebrating People in Agriculture," is evident through the positive feedback, increased engagement, and tangible benefits observed within
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Beekeeping
The problem is that beekeeping has long been a tradition in the Whitley County community, passed down through generations, and is increasingly influenced by modern sources like YouTube videos. While these resources offer a wealth of information, they often lack the scientific rigor needed to ensure the sustainability of beekeeping practices. As a result, many local beekeepers struggle to keep their honeybees alive for more than one season, leading to frustration and economic loss.The educational
Author: Laura Rogers
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
The problem In Whitley County community, attending an agriculture conference of any significance can be prohibitively expensive for many families. The cost of food, travel, and accommodation often makes such events inaccessible, especially in a region where the poverty rate is 23.5%, significantly higher than the state average of 16.5%. Farmers in Whitley County face unique challenges and need accessible resources and knowledge on farming business issues, horticulture, livestock care, aquacultur
Author: Lisa Jones
Major Program: Pollinators
Whitley County 4-H's Project Butterfly Wings initiative has made a profound impact by engaging public schools and homeschooling groups across the county in a transformative educational experience. Participants, whether in classrooms or at home, received caterpillar kits to witness firsthand the captivating journey of Painted Lady butterflies from larval stages to their vibrant winged forms. This six-week program not only immersed youth in the intricate life cycle of butterflies but also drew
