Union County CES

Title:

4-H Agricultural Literacy

MAP:

Agriculture Production, Profit, and Management

Agents Involved:

4-H Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Health

Situation:

The agricultural industry has previously and currently been the leading industry in Union County.  Union County is home to 310 farms and principal operators with the average age of operators being 55 years old (Census of Agriculture).  With the average age of farm operators being so high, the numbers reveal that there is a significant decrease in youth returning to the family farm.  Strengthening agricultural knowledge in Union County through school programming and 4-H would, in hopes, minimize the age gap being seen in farming in Union County.   

Farming today is not the way farming will be in even ten short years.  Youth today need to be offered limitless educational opportunities to learn skills that will allow them to master the future of farming.  It is vital that youth in Union County learn multiple sectors of the agricultural industry to cultivate their own future in agriculture.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

By gaining adequate agricultural knowledge, youth can prepare themselves for multiple careers in the agricultural industry.  Youth will feel more confident working on generational farms or in agricultural industry jobs knowing that they have received ample education from multiple 4-H agricultural programs. Essentially, youth will be equipped to face the future of agriculture.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will become more involved in the agricultural community through service projects, field trips, and project work. Youth will utilize the knowledge they have received in the classroom in everyday life. 

Initial Outcomes:

Youth learn the importance that agriculture holds in Union County, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the United States of America. 

Youth will learn where their agricultural resources come from and how more resources can be available in the future. 

Youth aspire to be a difference in the agricultural community of tomorrow.  

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Youth gain knowledge in agriculture and learn how important agriculture is

Indicator:  Program evaluation will indicate behavior changes in participants 

Method:  observation, program review

Timeline:  continuous

Intermediate Outcome:  Youth will use agriculture knowledge in community service and project work

Indicator:  Number of youth participating in club meetings and 4-H agricultural programs 

Method: reports 

Timeline: continuous 

Long-term Outcome:  Youth will prepare themselves for agricultural careers to carry on the tradition of farming in Union County 

Indicator:  Number of youth studying agriculture in secondary education and working in agriculture jobs in Union County 

Method:  observation, interviews, program review, reports 

Timeline: continuous 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth ages 9-18, 4-H members 

Project or Activity:  4-H Livestock Club 

Content or Curriculum:  Livestock Curriculum 

Inputs:

Date: September  - August 

Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Boots n Bridles Club 

Content or Curriculum: Horse education curriculum 

Inputs:

Date: September  - August 

Audience:  4-H members

Project or Activity: Agricultural  

Content or Curriculum: agent developed 

Inputs:

Date:  September  - August

Audience:  4-H members

Project or Activity: Day Camps 

Content or Curriculum: agent developed 

Inputs:

Date:  September - August 

Audience:  4-H members

Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day 

Content or Curriculum: agent developed 

Inputs:

Date:  September  - August

Audience:  4-H members

Project or Activity: Afterschool Club Meetings  

Content or Curriculum: KY Core Agriculture Curriculum, KY Core SET Curriculum  

Inputs:

Date:  September  - August 

Success Stories