Extension
It Starts With Us
Environmental Stewardship
Agricultural & Environmental Awareness & Sustainability
Corinne Belton, Regina Browning, Candice Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Coots, Skye Drane (Hort Tech)
Chemical Management
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Soil testing
Over the last 15 years, Shelby County has experienced a large influx of growth from Louisville Metro and surrounding counties. This growth 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. By understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations.
Developing and implementing Agriculture Water Quality Plans and Nutrient Management Plans can help farmers stay compliant with state laws, protect water quality, improve farm operations, and maximize profits. Educational programs for agricultural producers include county producer meetings, Master Cattlemen, Master Stocker or Master Grazer meetings, field days, and/or farm visits. Collaborations with conservation districts and USDA service centers will strengthen county programs and maximize opportunities for farmers.
*Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation
*Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices, and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
*Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air
*Protect and improve water quality
*Improve efficiency of manure handling
*Reduce environmental impacts of winter feeding areas
*Reduction of lawn, landscape, and garden additives
*Reduce level of pollutants in stormwater
*Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources
*Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community
*Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.
*Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management, Implement Ag Water Quality Plans
*Adopt best practices for water Quality, nutrient and/or soil management:
•Adopt conservation practices appropriate to farming operation
•Maintain records of practice implementation
•Maintain records of nutrient applications
•Adopt appropriate manure handling practices
•Maintain vegetative buffers along water bodies
•Adopt appropriate fallen livestock disposal practices
*Make informed decisions on daily activities and actions that affect water quality
*Make informed decisions on use of lawn, landscape and garden additives
*Complete soil tests and apply plant nutrients accordingly
*Apply lawn, landscape and garden additives as recommended including: handling, application, disposal, and environmental conditions
*Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies
*Youth will gain knowledge of the interrelationship and interdependencies within an eco-system
*Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community
*Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
*Recognize best management practices for soil conservation
*Identify best management practices for nutrient management
*Define watershed
*Define stormwater
*Recognize the water quality issues/needs on their property, at their school, in the community
*Understand the benefits of native plants and non-aggressive perennials in the landscape
*Learn how to take a soil test
Initial Outcome: Program participants will gain knowledge about how to identify, protect and enhance their own natural resources. Increased recycling, use of native plants, and soil sample submissions.
Indicator: Pounds of materials recycled, number of native plants planted, number of soil sample submissions.
Method: Interview local recycling center, native plants survey, soil sample numbers
Timeline: Annually
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will utilize best management practices and keep records of management practices.
Indicator: Number of program participants utilizing BMPs and keeping records
Method: Observation and surveys
Timeline: Annually
Long-term Outcome: Decrease in unnecessary and off-label pesticide use, increased efficiency of manure handling, increased use of winter feeding areas, reduction of pollutants in storm water
Indicator: Decreased levels of pollutants in water
Method: Interviews, coordination with local water, clean community and city engineer employees
Timeline: Annually
Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Pesticide Safety
Content or Curriculum: Class for homeowners and certification classes for producers, farm demonstration for sprayer calibration
Inputs: Agents, specialists, UK publications/videos
Date: Year Round
Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program and Volunteerism
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, MG curriculum
Date: Spring 2024-2025
Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Soil, Water, and Plant Health Classes
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum, UK Publications
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, MG curriculum
Date: Spring/Summer 2024-2025
Audience: Community Members, Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: Managing Invasive Species
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, MG Curriculum
Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents, horticulture technician
Date: Summer 2025
Audience: Community Members, Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: Plant ID and Selection Classes
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, MG Curriculum
Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents, horticulture technician
Date: Yearly. Herbaceous Plants in Spring, Grasses in Summer/Fall, Woody Plants in Fall/Winter 2025
Audience: Community members, Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Tim McClure Botanical Garden Beautification/Education Project
Content or Curriculum: Classes on topics such as pruning, herbs, perennials, weed management, IRM
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, UK publications
Date: July-October 2023, February/March 2024-2025
Audience: Community members
Project or Activity: Native Bareroot Tree Handouts
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, Shelby County Conservation District Resources
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, UK publications
Date: March 2025 (Annual Event)
Audience: 4-H School Clubs
Project or Activity: Windowsill Gardening
Content or Curriculum: Natural Resources Curriculum
Inputs: curriculum, seeds, trays and supplies
Date: April 2025
Audience: 4-H School Clubs
Project or Activity: Sum of the Parts Lesson
Content or Curriculum: Natural Resources Curriculum, Project Wet
Inputs: curriculum, classroom supplies
Date: November 2024
Audience: Beginning Farmers and Homeowners
Project or Activity: Beginning Farmer/Gardener
Content: Beginning Farmer, FarmStart, farm and garden basics
Input: Agents, specialists, KCARD
Date: October 2024
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Native Plants and Grasses
Content: Forage and Native Plants publications
Input: Agents, specialists
Date: Spring/Summer and Winter 2025
Updated 5/5/2024
