Henderson County CES

Title:

Creating awareness of the impact of agriculture on daily life

MAP:

Agricultural Awareness

Agents Involved:

Hardy, Brasher, James, Rideout

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

Situation:

Kentucky is home to 77,064 farms, with 465 farms in Henderson County (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Henderson County is 378 acres, compared to the state average of 169 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012).
In 2012, Henderson County farms operated on 175,914 acres, which represented 62.9% of total county land. In comparison, Kentucky’s farm operations made up 51.6% of the state’s total land area, and U.S. farm operations made up 40.5% of total land area in the country. While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adults and youth in Henderson County will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adults and youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others and can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.

Initial Outcomes:

People in Henderson County will know where their food comes from and what can be grown locally and will know more about Kentucky Proud products.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: People in Henderson County will know where their food comes from and what can be grown locally and will know more about Kentucky Proud products.

Indicator: People will state what they have learned

Method: Survey

Timeline:  2023-2024

Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others and can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.

Indicator: Survey

Method: Demonstrate Skills

Timeline: End of 2024

Long-term Outcome: Adults and youth in Henderson County will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.

Indicator: Behavior

Method: Demonstrate Skills

Timeline: 2023 forward

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Education on locally grown crops, what they look like, and recipes you can make with them during field trip

Content or Curriculum: KY Proud, Plate it up, Extension Publications

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Farmers

Date: Fall 2023-Fall 2024

Audience: Henderson County Seniors

Project or Activity: Administer the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program

Content or Curriculum: State guidelines/promotional materials

Inputs: Extension Agents, Community partners, Farmers

Date: Summer 2023 and Summer 2024