Boone County CES

Title:

4-H Agriculture

MAP:

Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness

Agents Involved:

Cathy Fellows, Rusty Wolf

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture

Situation:

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth will be agriculturally literate.
• Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
• Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
• Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
• Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
• Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Evaluation:

• Outcome to be Evaluated
  • Youth plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
• Indicator of Success for Outcome
  • Youth complete an agricultural project.
• Method of Evaluation
  • Oral or 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey at conclusion of learning activity
  • Program Indicators
    • Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming (PRACTICE)              
    • Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)  
    • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
    • 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?” (SEEC)

Learning Opportunities:

• 4-H Livestock Program
  • Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book
  • Training: Livestock Volunteer Certification Training (Dec. 24) 
  • 4-H Livestock Club monthly meetings (Sept. 2024-April 2025, monthly)
  • 4-H Livestock Shows at the Boone Co. Fair (June)
  • 4-H Livestock Judging team practice sessions (Oct. 2024-June 2025, weekly)
  • State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest (June 2025)
• 4-H Horse Program
  • Curriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit
  • Training: Horse Volunteer Certification Training (November & January)
  • 4-H Horse Educational Hours (Oct. 2024-April 2025)
  • State 4-H Horse Show (July 2025)
  • County Show at Fair (August)
• 4-H Poultry Program
  • Curriculum: A Classroom Journey through the Life Cycle; Poultry Project and Record Book
  • 4-H Livestock Club meetings (Sept 2024-July 2025, monthly)
  • 4-H Poultry Show at the Boone Co. Fair (August 2025)
  • Classroom Chick Incubation (Feb. 25-Apr. 25)
• 4-H Country Ham Program
  • Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video
  • 4-H country ham meetings (Jan. 2025, May 2025, June 2025, August 2025)
  • 4-H county country ham speech competition (June 25)
  • 4-H state country ham speech and ham competition (Aug. 25)
• 
  
  • 4-H Rabbit Program
    • Curriculum: 4-H Rabbit 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Rabbit Learning Lab Kit
    • 4-H Hops and Flops Rabbit Club (Sept. 24-Aug. 25)
    • 4-H Rabbit Show at the Boone Co. Fair (August 2025)
• 4-H Cat Club
  • 4-H Cat Club meetings (Sept. 24-Aug. 25)

Success Stories