Bullitt County CES

Title:

Natural Resources and the Environment

MAP:

Natural Resources & the Environment

Agents Involved:

Samantha Gamblin, Tori Riehemann, Lorilee Kunze, Nathan Rider, Ruth Chowning

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Cook Wild Kentucky

Situation:

Bullitt County is a rapidly urbanizing county with diminishing traditional agriculture. This continual rapid increase in the suburban population has led to a large non-rural population that has limited knowledge of rural environments, natural resources, and sustaining those for future generations. Local leadership identified a need for educational programming in this area to help protect and beautify our county's natural resources.

This continual rapid increase in the suburban population in Bullitt County is resulting in a steady decrease in the agricultural utilization of its land. As a result, education and information in the fields of small farming, farm succession, home horticulture and urban gardening is severely lacking in suburban areas. Due to this dynamic there is an increasing need for educational assistance on natural resources and environmental issues throughout Bullitt County.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Participants will practice sustainable gardening and agriculture production practices and have less negative impact on the environment.

Participants will gain gardening skills to promote health and wellness.

Participants will improve herd/flock management and livestock quality and wellbeing.

Participants will be able to teach others how to properly fish, hunt, and cook wild game in Kentucky.

Participants will improve forest land management and improve livelihoods through working forests.

Participants will improve curb appeal and energy efficiency of their homes through their landscape.

Participants will improve overall health and wellness by being more active in outdoor activities.

Participants will test soil and continue monitoring soil health to improve production and sustainability.

Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will increase access to healthy food via local Farmer’s Market, food retailers and home gardens.

Participants will use fewer pesticides, improve pesticide safety, and become certified applicators.

Participants will implement herd/flock management techniques.

Participants will implement improved pasture/forage crop management techniques.

Participants will implement hunting and fishing skills on private or public land and cook wild game at home.

Participants will learn about opportunities to generate income from forest land while maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.

Participants will improve their current landscape by practicing learned skills.

Participants will improve production of homegrown fruits and vegetables.

Participants will test their soil.

Participants will increase involvement in local beekeeping association.

Participants will increase the number of hives in county.

Participants will decrease number of hives lost to disease and other factors.

Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food.

Initial Outcomes:

Students will improve food and nutrition-related knowledge and skills through simple gardening.

Participants will increase knowledge of grazing and producing high quality cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and other livestock.

Participants will increase their awareness of fishing, hunting, and cooking wild game.

Participants will increase their awareness of tapping maple trees for sap, improving timber stands, and promoting healthy forest ecosystems.

Participants will gain skills about gardening.

Participants will gain knowledge about proper use and handling of pesticides and pesticide safety.

Participants gain knowledge about soil health and soil testing.

Participants will gain knowledge about identifying insects.

Participants will reduce stress through gardening.

Participants will increase their knowledge of beekeeping.

Participants will increase their knowledge of agricultural best management practices.

Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.

Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food.

Evaluation:

Outcome:  Growing food at home

Indicator:  Number of students who report using knowledge and skills to plant, care for and grow vegetables

Method:  Self-reported survey; parent reported behaviors

Timeline:  Pre- post program and 3-month follow-up

Outcome:  Increase agriculture production and profitability

Indicator:  Higher production and increased profits

Method:  Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Pre and Post program, year-to-year over the next 5 years

Outcome:  Increase livestock health and wellbeing and improve pasture/forage crop management

Indicator:  Higher production and increased profits

Method:  Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Pre and Post program, year-to-year over the next 5 years

Outcome:  Increase knowledge of fishing and hunting in KY

Indicator:  Increase in people fishing and hunting in Bullitt County

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Pre- and Post- trainings, 1-year follow-up

Outcome:  Increase knowledge of forest ecosystems and opportunities in working forests

Indicator:  Increase in people tapping trees, sustainably harvesting timber, protecting forest ecosystems

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Pre- and Post- trainings, 1-year follow-up

Intermediate Outcome: Participants follow through with soil test and amend soil properly

Indicator: Soil test submission and follow up phone call

Method: Written and oral

Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024

Long Term Outcome: Participants continues to monitor soil health and use integrated methods to improve soil health

Indicator: Repeated soil testing and follow up

Method: Written and oral

Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024

Intermediate Outcome: Participants will be able to select tree varieties for home plantings. They will gain better fruit tree management skills.

Indicator: Tree plantings and health of est. trees

Method: Observed and verbal

Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024

Intermediate Outcome: Participants gain knowledge of how to plant more functional and efficient landscapes and gardens

Indicator: Pre/post survey

Method: Written, verbal

Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024

Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about identifying insects

Indicator: Pre/Post Test

Method: Written

Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024

Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about beekeeping

Indicator: Pre/Post survey

Method: Verbal

Timeline: July 2023 - June 2024

Outcome: Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food 

Indicator:  Helping adults or parents maintain a garden, maintaining own garden

Method: Written evaluation, youth and parent testimonials

Timeline: On-going

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity:  Gardening class for Tomatoes and Peppers

Content or Curriculum: UK horticulture publications, SNAP Ed resources, Organ Annie curriculum 

Inputs: Volunteers, community partners, SNAP Ed Toolkit, FCS Agent

Date: Fall 2024, Spring 2025

Audience: Livestock Producers 

Project or Activity: Small Ruminant Profit School Continuing Education

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Guest Speakers

Inputs: ANR Agent, Extension Specialist, Community Partners

Date: July 2024 - June 2025

Audience: Livestock Producers 

Project or Activity: Master Grazer Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Guest Speakers

Inputs: ANR Agent, Extension Specialist, Community Partners

Date: July 2024 - June 2025

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Hook and Cook, Field to Fork

Content or Curriculum: KY Fish and Wildlife Programs, Field to Fork, Home Meat preparation, Cook Wild KY

Inputs: KY Fish and Wildlife Staff, ANR Agent, FCS Agent, Extension Specialists, UK Resources

Date: July 2024 to June 2025

Audience: Bullitt County General Public

Activity: Gardening Season Series

Content:  UK Publications, gardening curriculum

Inputs: Various plants and demonstrative materials, volunteers, agents, specialists

Date: July 2024 - June 2025

Audience: Producers, General Public

Activity: Fruit Production Series

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, local expert

Inputs: UK Publications, grafting equipment, root stock, specialists

Date: July 2024 - June 2025

Audience: General Public

Activity: Homeowners’ Toolbox Series

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, UK Publications

Date: July 2024 to June 2025

Audience: General Public

Activity: Biodiversity Series

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications

Date: July 2024- June 2025

Audience: General Public

Activity: Beekeeping Series Classes

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, local experts

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, UK Publications, state and local associations, Hort Agent, Ag Agent

Date: July 2024- June 2025

Audience: Youth- All Ages

Activity: School Garden and Nutrition Initiative

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, local expert

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, UK Publications, state and local associations, Extension Staff

Date: July 2024 - June 2025

Audience: Forest Landowners

Project or Activity: Master Logger, Maple Syrup Class, Mushroom Production Class

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Master Logger curriculum

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, UK Publications, state and local associations, Hort Agent, Ag Agent and Extension Specialists

Date: July 2024 - June 2025

Success Stories

Sow and Grow Class

Author: Samantha Gamblin

Major Program: Agriculture

Many students and adults don't know where their food comes from. Bullitt Lick Middle School, 4-H and the middle school agriculture educator piloted the Sow and Grass Class curriculum. During the curriculum, one of the lessons was break down global versus local foods. Students were engaged with the content because they know this affects them. Students put together fresh food boxes for their social action project. Students worked to address the problem of food insecurity in the community. Many

Full Story

Veterinary Pop-Up Clinics Continue to Improve Bullitt County Cattle Herd

Author: Nathan Rider

Major Program: Beef

Across Kentucky, limited access to large animal veterinarians has posed a significant challenge for livestock farmers. The few large animal veterinarians providing services in the Bullitt County area have limited time or longer travel distances and charge higher fees. To help reduce the cost and burden of finding a quality veterinarian, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Bullitt County partnered with Jewett Borden’s Cedar Creek Beef Company to establish a recu

Full Story

Salsa Gardening

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Describe the Issue or Situation.County residents need better, practical access to healthy choices, food prep and fresh vegetables. In urban areas, residents are distanced from the source of their food, how that food is processed and what goes into making it palatable.  Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).The Bullitt County Extension agent for Horticulture, the Horticulture Program Assistant and 3 Master Gardener Volunteers collaborated to pres

Full Story

Beginning Farmers, Market Gardeners, and Landowners Learn the Basics

Author: Nathan Rider

Major Program: Small Farm Diversification

Beginning farmers, market gardeners, and new landowners in Bullitt and Spencer Counties often face overwhelming challenges when starting out. To support the growing number of beginning farmers, market gardeners, and landowners in Bullitt and Spencer Counties, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in both counties collaborated to offer a year-round educational series. In 2024 and 2025, the series included: - December 2024: Rabbit Keeping – covering care, housing, and

Full Story

Restore Collaboration at Bernheim Forest

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Describe the Issue or Situation.Restore Program Collaboration with 4H and Bernheim Forest. The program was designed to celebrate the beauty of Mother Earth through experiencing a day filled with unique activities that inspire hope, joy, and well-being. Embrace the spirit of spring through self-care, educational experiences, and sustainable practices—because our planet deserves a healthy us! This program was hosted by Bernheim Forest and we were collaborating partners.Describe the Outreach

Full Story

Growing and Foraging Mushrooms for Healthy Food

Author: Nathan Rider

Major Program: Small Farm Diversification

Empowering Bullitt County Residents to Grow Their Own MushroomsIn response to a growing interest in food self-sufficiency and farm diversification, the Bullitt and Trimble County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources launched a hands-on mushroom cultivation class series. Hosted at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension offices in Bullitt and Trimble Counties for over 40 participants, the programs focused on teaching residents and farmers how to grow oyster mushrooms us

Full Story

Agricultural Entrepreneurs Learn Marketing

Author: Nathan Rider

Major Program: Small Farm Management

While many farm entrepreneurs have great ideas and deep knowledge about the products they would like to grow and sell, finding the right marketing channel can be difficult. Knowing how to access those channels and the best strategy to market products can be even harder. Most farmers get into the business because they understand agricultural systems, not because they are expert marketers, customer service agents, or graphic designers. Through a year-round program for beginning farmers, marke

Full Story

Birding Builds Environmental Awareness and Mindfulness in Bullitt County Youth

Author: Nathan Rider

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

In Bullitt County, there is a growing need to connect youth with the natural environment and promote mindfulness and environmental stewardship. According to local educators and community feedback, many children have limited opportunities for outdoor exploration and lack awareness of local wildlife and habitats. Birding offers a unique, accessible way to engage youth in nature while supporting mental wellbeing and environmental education.To address this need, the Bullitt County Agriculture and Na

Full Story

Birding Builds Environmental Awareness and Mindfulness in Bullitt County Youth

Author: Victoria Riehemann

Major Program: Agriculture

In Bullitt County, there is a growing need to connect youth with the natural environment and promote mindfulness and environmental stewardship. According to local educators and community feedback, many children have limited opportunities for outdoor exploration and lack awareness of local wildlife and habitats. Birding offers a unique, accessible way to engage youth in nature while supporting mental wellbeing and environmental education.To address this need, the Bullitt County 4-H Youth Developm

Full Story

Permaculture

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Describe the Issue or Situation.We often limit our understanding of gardening and food production to traditional agricultural methods that have been passed down to us over generations, however, there are many ways to grow and produce food. Learning alternative methods of food production can help make our community more resilient and self-sufficient.  Permaculture in particular is also very sustainable and requires less maintenance, pesticides and space than traditional gardening while produ

Full Story

Preserving the Harvest

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Describe the Issue or Situation.Gardening and growing food is only part of being self-sufficient and food stable.  Learning how to preserve what you grow is key in being resilient and education on food preservation is scarce in Bullitt County.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Partnering with the Bullitt County Master Gardener Volunteers, the Horticulture Agent and Program Assistant wanted to offer an introduction to the many ways one could u

Full Story