Protecting Water and Natural ResourcesPlan of Work

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Oldham County CES

Title:
Protecting Water and Natural Resources
MAP:
Protecting Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Traci Johnson, Kelly Woods
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Situation:

People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production –these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations. Results gathered in the 2019 Oldham County Assessment show that many residents are concerned about the amount of illegal dumping and littering.  Results also show that residents feel the need for increased tree and forestry management.

Oldham County includes watersheds that are on the impaired list, most often due to sedimentation with some bacterial issues. The Oldham County Ag Development Council has targeted soil and water conservation education as being an important initiative in programming. 4-H school programs for 4th graders include water science and conservation topics that correspond to required school curriculum and learning.

Additionally, Oldham County Fiscal Court has a Watershed Coordinator on staff to educate the public. Oldham County Extension Agriculture Agent has partnered with the Watershed Coordinator in 2013 to educate residents in practices to protect water and watersheds.  The Agriculture Agent also provides documentation of soil and water conservation-related programs for the public to help the county meet its MS4 Permit educational requirements.


Long-Term Outcomes:

An increased number of farms will use updated Agriculture water quality plans; an increased number of residents will use practices like soil testing. Youth will have a keen environmental awareness, realizing the long-term impact and are willing to make changes in their lives to address this concern.

Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.


Intermediate Outcomes:

Oldham County homeowners will use best management practices such as soil testing, buffer areas and integrated pest management practices. Oldham County youth will share water conservation practices with families and will adopt changes to conserve water. Oldham County farms will update and/or create ag water quality plans and use these on their farms.

Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.

 

Initial Outcomes:

Homeowners and farmers learn best management practices to protect water sources. Youth discover the properties of water and the water cycle and how this relates to the environment.

Youth will gain understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship. 


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship. 

Indicator:  Number of youth who participated and gained an understanding of environmental systems.
Method: Onsite surveys of participants
Timeline: TBD by classroom teachers based on curriculum needs

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
 Indicator: Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resources 

Method:  Onsite Surveys of participants
Timeline: TBD by classroom teachers based on curriculum needs

Long-term Outcome: Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
 Indicator:  Youth plan and implement a natural resource project.

Method:  Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
 Timeline:  May/June 2024

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

Audience:  4th Graders

Project or Activity:  Native Bees

Curriculum:  Bee Ambassadors, Nature Watch

Input:  4-H Staff, Nature Watch

Date:  February/March 2024


Audience:  Youth

Project or Activity: Woodworking Workshop

Content or Curriculum:   4-H Curriculum

Inputs:  4-H Council, Extension Staff and Volunteers

Date: July 2023

 

Audience: 4-H Members 4th graders

Project or Activity: Animal Adaptions 

Content or Curriculum: Project Wet and Project Food Land and People

Inputs: 4-H Staff, CES Funding, Oldham County Public Schools, Classroom Teachers

Date: Oct 2023- April 2024

 

Audience: 4-H Members 4th graders

Project or Activity: Mudballs (Soil and Erosion) 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Natural Resources Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Staff, CES Funding, Oldham County Public Schools, Classroom Teachers

Date: Oct 2023- April 2024


Activity: Entomology 

Audience: 5th grade students

Content or Curriculum: Hissing Cock Roaches

Inputs: 4-H Staff, University of Kentucky Entomology Department

Date: Oct 2023- April 2024

 

Activity: Soil Samples, Terrariums

Audiences: 5th grade 4-H Members

Content or Curriculum:  Project, Food, Land and People

Inputs:  4-H Staff, Project Food, Land and People

Date:  Oct 2023- April 2024

 

Activity: H2O Olympics 

Audience: 5th Grade 4-H Members

Content or Curriculum:  Project Wet

Inputs:  4-H Staff, OCPS

Date:  Oct 2023 – April 2024

 

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity:   Shooting Sports

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Curricula

Inputs:  4-H Staff, Shooting Sports Volunteers, Open Range, Community Members, Donors

Date: April thru October

 

 

Audience:  Farmers, Landowners

Project or Activity: Improving Soil Productivity - Regenerative Agriculture

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension materials

Inputs: Agriculture Agent, UK Extension Specialist

Date: Fall 2023


Audience:  Farmers, Landowners

Project or Activity:  Pond/Stream Management Field Day

Content or Curriculum:  UK/KSU Extension materials

Inputs:  UK/KSU Extension Specialists; Local partner agencies and vendors

Date:  Spring/Summer 2024


Audience:  Community Education Program Participants

Project or Activity:  Soils, Gardening Classes

Content or Curriculum:  UK Extension Materials

Inputs:  Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant

Date:  2023 - 2024 program year

 

Audience: Residents

Project or Activity: Home Vegetable and Home Fruit Production Classes

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension materials

Inputs: Horticulture Assistant

Date: 2023 - 2024 program year


 



Success Stories

Shooting Sports Proogram Growth

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources

The problem:The Oldham County Shooting Sports program went thru a complete metamorphosis at the beginning of the program year. The club had five Shooting Sports Coaches retire or resign, which included the Program Coordinator. The loss of leadership was a tremendous concern to a program serving over 76 young people. The educational program response:The first item of business was to recruit a Program Coordinator, a 4-H Shooting Sports alumni had moved back to the county and was interested in

Full Story
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