Natural Resources and the Environment Plan of Work
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
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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
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Salsa Gardening
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Describe the Issue or Situation.County residents need access to healthy choices, food prep and fresh vegetables. Develop more later.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in
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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
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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 update and fill in more information laterDescribe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the com
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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
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Beginning Farmers Learn Marketing
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Small Farm Management
Describe the Issue or Situation.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.
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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
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