Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Livestock Production, Gardening and Horticulture, and Local Food Systems
Increasing Agricultural Literacy
Flowers, Hogancamp, Bell
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Local Food Systems
Grains
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (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). A farm is defined by the United States government as “any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year.” While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. The top agricultural products produced on Kentucky farms are changing. In 2012, the Top 10 agriculture products in Kentucky were: Broilers, Corn, Horses & Mules, Soybeans, Cattle & Calves, Tobacco, Dairy Products & Milk, Wheat, Hay and Chicken Eggs (United States Department of Agriculture – Kentucky, 2012).
The Carlisle County 4-H Council, the Carlisle County Agricultural Advisory Council, and the Carlisle County Extension Council all identified increasing agricultural literacy as a programming priority for Carlisle County Extension. According to the CEDIK Agriculture and Food County Profile for Carlisle County, in 2012, Carlisle County had 325 farm operations on 98,620 acres, which represented 81.3% 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. As a result, the agricultural industry is important to the economy and people of Carlisle County.
- Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
- Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
- Community will see an increase in the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, or community supported agriculture.
- Community will see increased access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets, school and other institutions.
- Producers will maintain or increase consumer confidence/demand in local foods.
- Producers will maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations.
- Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
- Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
- Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
- Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
- Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
- Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
- Consumers will purchase local food and food products.
- Consumers will advocate for local food producers.
- Producers will adopt usage of new technology for production.
- Producers will use diagnostic services to enhance production decision-making.
- Producers will adopt one or more production management recommendations.
- Producers will implement on-farm trials.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
- Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, recordkeeping,
leadership and service.
- Consumers will identify/ locate local food producers and processors.
- Consumers will explain local food needs and purchasing procedures (i.e. quantity, quality, deliver, etc.).
- Consumers will purchase local food and food products.
- Consumers will advocate for local food producers.
- Producers will increase awareness of current land grant research concerning production.
- Producers will increase understanding of production regulations.
Initial Outcomes:
Indicator: Written or verbal acknowledgement of increased awareness and knowledge related to agricultural literacy and practices
Method: Pre-/post-tests, observation, participation
Timeline: After programming opportunities
Intermediate Outcomes:
Indicator: Change in behavior or practice related to agriculture
Method: Pre-/post-tests, observation, participation, self-reporting, number of Kentucky Proud producers, local agriculture statistics, production outcomes
Timeline: After programming opportunities
Long-term Outcomes:
Indicator: Long-term results stemming from changes in behavior or practice related to agriculture sustained over time
Method: 4-H project participation, youth employment after high school, local agriculture sales and production statistics and outcomes, community statistics
Timeline: 2016-2025
Audience: 3rd grade youth
Project or Activity: Adventures in Agriculture Day
Content or Curriculum: Soils, crops, livestock, horticulture, 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum, Ag in the Classroom
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Agricultural producers
Project or Activity: WAVE Ag Day
Content or Curriculum: Production agricultural information
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: Women of Carlisle County
Project or Activity: Women in Agriculture
Content or Curriculum: Extension agriculture information and publications
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Agricultural producers
Project or Activity: Winter Ag Conference
Content or Curriculum: Production agriculture information
Date: Winter 2025
Audience: Carlisle County Families
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: So Easy to Preserve, All Dried Up, FCS publications
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Dog Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Dog curriculum
Date: 2024-2025
Inputs:
Agents
Agribusinesses
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Carlisle County Conservation District
Producers
Carlisle County Road Department/Fiscal Court
USDA Farm Service Agency
Carlisle County Schools
Extension volunteers
Specialists
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Describe the Issue or Situation.With a staggering $1 billion impact and $359,967,000 in products sold across 960 farms, WAVE AG Day 2024 once again spotlighted the vital role of agriculture in Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, and Hickman Counties. Held for the seventh year, the event took place on August 1 at Columbus Belmont State Park, running from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The familiar theme, "Let’s Grow With It," continued to inspire the agricultural community.Describe the Outreach or E
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Describe the Issue or Situation.In our region, approximately 85% of farmland is dedicated to crop production. In 2022, hunters utilized 225,343 acres for hunting, resulting in the harvest of 1,194 deer in the Purchase area. To enhance deer management and address Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Carlisle, Fulton, and Hickman Counties organized a wildlife management meeting.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).The meeting aimed to equip landowners and f
