Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting commodities and awareness of agriculture and natural resources
Agriculture and Environment
Allen, Crawford, Hinton, Tucker,
Beef
Grains
Local Food Systems
Agriculture
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, with 1,509 farms located in Breckinridge County (USDA 2012, 2012 Ag Census). The average farm size in Breckinridge County is 199 acres, with 37% of the population farming as a primary occupation (2012 Ag Census). The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019). 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). 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. Breckinridge county continues to have diverse income from livestock, grain and tobacco, with Livestock sales of $45 million, $ 8.1 million in tobacco sales and finally $ 22.9 million in sales of grain and oilseeds (Census of Agriculture, 2012). The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves (USDA ERS, 2020). Kentucky agricultural sales in 2018 were reported at $5.9 billion (USDA ERS, 2020). As genetics improve, Extension looks for more opportunities to add on value along the production chain of crops and livestock. As prices for inputs stabilize, producers need a combined effort to improve the value of both crops and livestock. Extension provides resources for farm families and educational opportunities for youth and adults.
In addition, people, animals, and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production– these resources are vital to our existence. Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being.
• Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 45 major lakes (KGS, 2014).
• Kentucky, famous for karst topography, has the longest known cave system in the world (NPS, 2020). Roughly 38% of the state has some karst features and 25% of the state has well-developed karst features (KGS, 2014).
• Kentucky is 48% forested and is known as having one of the most diverse hardwood species mix in the nation. The economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest industry was over $13 billion in 2016 (KDF, 2019).
• Kentucky is home to numerous wildlife species and has one of the most diverse fish and mussel populations in the U.S. and North America, respectively (KDFWR, 2013).
• In 2016, Kentucky’s coal industry produced over 42 million tons of coal, and as a state ranked as the fourth highest coal producer in the U.S. (Bone, 2017).
Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008) and are likely able to identify a Pokémon character more easily than a native plant or animal (Balmford et al., 2002). Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan (2015), “…the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly slightly more than half of the environmental knowledge questions included on the survey. This result leaves ample room for improvement” (p 27). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. The KEEC (2018) defines environmental literacy as “…the ability to recognize the components of healthy natural and man-made systems and the actions necessary to maintain, restore, or improve them” (p. 4) and states that environmental education is a pathway to environmental literacy (KEEC, 2018). Kentucky Statute (KRS 157.905) defines environmental education as “…an education process dealing with the interrelationships among the natural world and its man-made surroundings; is experience-based; interdisciplinary in its approach; and is a continuous life-long process that provides the citizenry with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to individually and collectively encourage positive actions for achieving and maintaining a sustainable balance between man and the environment” (Kentucky Legislative Research Committee, 2020, p.1). Extension provides adults and youth with environmental education opportunities by engaging in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for natural resources and environmental sciences. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry and wood science, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports.
Participants will have improved end product quality and food safety, enhanced profit margin, greater enjoyment from farming, long term viability, and improved profitability and efficiency. Farmers market vendors will encourage marketing in other avenues, and search for more ways to please their customer. Participants will have an increased knowledge of the Ag Development Fund Cost Share programs, such as, CAIP, as well as, NRCS Programs, such as, CSP. Youth participants will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise, gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H, and be an advocate for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems. Breckinridge County community members will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world. Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation. Homeowners will begin to utilize their knowledge from the Master Gardener Programs to teach others on utilization of natural resources.
Participants will negotiate for better input prices, follow soil test recommendations, and move to more diverse pest control to help reduce the incidence of resistant weeds. Participation in Cost Share programs will give them the opportunity to improve or expand their farming operation. ?Grain farmers will receive monthly updates on grain markets to increase their knowledge and skill of marketing grains successfully. ?Farmers Market participants will make small changes in their marketing practices. Youth participants will practice and apply skills and knowledge related to food production, explain the role of agriculture in their daily lives, and adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
Local adults and youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources, adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community, and use problem solving skills and apply them to environmental issues. Homeowners will work to utilize raised beds in their home vegetable garden program to provide more locally grown produce. Accessible gardens will be used to allow homeowners to gain control of their gardens and begin to increase their mobility and their knowledge of small garden production.
During monthly cattle production meetings, participants will gain knowledge of nutrient needs of growing calves, budgeting (including differences between variable and fixed costs), financial programs, and decision making with implications for profitability. Participants will be able to describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being. Tobacco farmers will utilize information and record keeping practices obtained in the mandatory GAP meetings. Farmers Market participants will look for advice on marketing commodities and try a few changes to their marketing plan. Youth participants will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in areas of plant sciences, horticulture, and animal sciences. Youth will also gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems and develop skills, such as, decision making, communications, record keeping, leadership, and service.
Local adults and youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies, gain knowledge of the interrelationship and inter-dependencies with an ecosystem, and identify and gain knowledge of the natural resources that are used within their home and community. Farm and homeowners will break those barriers and begin implementing raised beds, as well as, increase their knowledge and their use of small accessible gardens with demonstrations in each small community area, such as, the Senior Citizen Center, and Communicare adult workshop, and the local hospital extended care unit.
Initial Outcome: Practices being put in place for increase net farm income
Indicator: Soil Sample numbers and calls on recommendations on soil samples. Increase in farm calls for PESTS problems, such as, weeds, diseases and insects. Increase in requests for newsletter and to be on the mailing lists and an increase in personal reviews of the newsletter and its content. Increase in requests for information and on farm visits. Increased awareness of IPM practices associated with the diagnosis of problems.
Method: numbers from soil database, and increase in number of calls for assistance, Increase in ACCESS database additions to the newsletter. ?
Timeline: 2024-2025 program year
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness, knowledge and skills relating to Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Science
Indicator: Increased youth attendance and participation in agriculture programs
Method: Curriculum and program evaluation tools
Timeline: At time of program implementation
Initial Outcome: Adults and youth will identify and gain knowledge of the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
Indicator: Number of individuals who can identify natural resources in the community.
Method: Kentucky 4-H Evaluations
Timeline: Throughout program implementation
Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting using their skills to conserve natural resources.
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews, and observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Intermediate Outcome: Improved net farm income, reduced debt, farms remaining stable for the next 2 years.
Indicator: Surveys returned, Improvement and upgrade of equipment on local farms, farm family remain active in Extension Programming.
Method: Surveys and customer comments
Timeline: 2024-25
Intermediate Outcome: Youth participants developing skills related to gardening, animal care, livestock judging, showmanship, record keeping, etc.
Indicator: Participants recognize increased confidence in their skills related to agriculture and youth improved gardening techniques, showmanship, livestock judging, etc.
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews and observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: Farmers learn and use more value-added avenues for their crops
Indicator: Increase in Farmers’ Market value added sales, more information requested for new crops such as Hi Tunnels, more intense labor crops such as vegetables, cut flowers. Increase in participants trained in Micro Processing from our area. Increase in locally sourced meat approved sites in the county.
Method: review of the BC Farmers Market, review of producer requests.
Timeline: 1-3 month follow up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: An increase in the number of youth pursuing Agricultural related careers and opportunities. An improvement in the local environment to promote and support local agricultural systems.
Indicator: Youth pursuing Agricultural career opportunities and business opportunities. Youth selling their Agricultural products.
Method: Personal interviews, observations, 4-H Common Measures surveys
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: Adults and youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
Indicator: Number of individuals participating in a community service project related to natural resource conservation.
Method: Personal testimonials, follow-up surveys, observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Audience: Local 6-7th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Agriculture Expo
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture Awareness resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, volunteer leadership, community sponsors
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Local Grain Farmers
Project or Activity: Monthly grain crops update meetings
Content or Curriculum: Local grain elevators, UK Specialists.
Inputs: UK Specialists, Local grain elevators, local farmers.
Audience: Local Grain Farmers
Date: Fall 2024 and Winter 2024-25
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Clubs (Youth Livestock, Poultry, Rabbit, Horse, and Dog Clubs)
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum for Animal Science and Agriculture
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public library, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2024-25 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Project Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum for Horticulture and Gardening
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: Fall 2025, Spring 2025
Audience: Farm and homeowners
Project or Activity: Field day events, winter meetings, monthly meetings for cattle producers and Beekeepers
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by the specific specialists
Inputs: BCCA, State Specialists, Local producers for field events, supporting agencies, SCS and FSA , KSU Area Agent
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Farm and homeowners
Project or Activity: Industry visits, programs by UK Animal Science dept., program by KY Proud coordinator
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by the specific specialists
Inputs: BCCA, State Specialists, Local producers for field events, supporting agencies, BC Farmers’ Market, KSU Area Agent or Specialist
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Farmers’ Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Bi-Annual Update and weekly visits on how to improve their marketability.
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by KY Proud, present market success
Inputs: local vendors, Extension Agent, consumer surveys
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Public
Project or Activity: Sweet Corn Variety Trial, State Flower Garden Trial and local Garden Vegetable trials plus varieties provided through the KY MG Program
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by State Horticulture Specialists, local growers and Master Gardeners
Input: local market vendors, office staff, Detention Center, Master Gardeners, State Specialists, KY MG Program for plants, and seeds. Local meeting participants, KSU Area Agent
Date: 2024-2025 Program year
Audience: Youth and Families
Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market tastings and promotional family activities
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up Kentucky Market, Farmers’ Market Tool Kit, POP learning activities
Input: Sampling and promotional items to promote purchasing and eating locally grown produce.?
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: Small Farmers
Project or Activity: Small animal production
Content or Curriculum: Local Experts, enthusiasts, and small animal specialists
Input: Education, hands-on demonstration
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Small Farmers
Project or Activity: Plastic Mulch
Content or Curriculum: UK horticulture agents, and specialists
Input: Education, hands-on demonstration, equipment. Webinair Series
Date: 2024-25 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H shooting sports policies and certification, and other Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Local Farms
Project or Activity: Insect Traps set out in key areas, ie., Spotted Winged Drosophila, and Emerald Ash Borer
Content or Curriculum: Work with specialists in diagnosis and treatment
Inputs: Local farms, Entomology specialists
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Local Farms and Farm store equipment operators
Project or Activity: Design, build and fund a SPRAY Table.
Content or Curriculum: UK spray guides
Inputs: Local businesses, farms, UK Specialists-Plant Pathology, and Tobacco Specialists
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Local Farms
Project or Activity: Cover crop meetings and conservation practices meeting.
Content or Curriculum: Work with specialists in analyzing problems and resolution to problems, i.e.re-establish grass waterways, improve pasture and hay fields after 3 bad years of mudding.
Inputs: Local farms, State and local NRCS office and local SCS, UK Specialists in the field of water management, forage establishment
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Homeowners
Project: Raised bed gardening
Content or Curriculum: Work with Vegetable specialists to design crops for maximum use of raised beds, and other types of gardens in the Detention Center
Inputs: Adult Master Gardener Graduates, Fruit and Vegetable Specialists, Detention Center employees, Ag Agents. Increase utilization of YouTube videos and the Ag/Natural Resource and Horticulture Facebook page to improve the homeowner's gardens, raised bed gardens. In the recent days of the pandemic, families have gone ‘Back to the Basics’ to provide produce and meat for their families and their neighbors. Utilize the Extension Service Raised Beds for demonstrations and data gathering.
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Detention Center participants
Content or Curriculum: Program designed by using Specialists and Publications on gardening on a budget, plus gardening small spaces
Project or Activity: Providing fresh fruits and vegetables
Inputs: Local detention center, Graduated Adult Master Gardeners, Extension Agents and UK Specialists
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Detention Center participants
Content or Curriculum: Adult Master Gardener Program
Project or Activity: Adult Master Gardener Program
Inputs: Local Detention center, graduated Adult Master gardeners, Extension agents and UK Specialists
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Hay producers
Content: Master Hay Grazer
Project: Offer Master Hay Grazer Program, in person or virtually
Inputs: Specialists and Area Agents
Date: Spring 2025, On Farm Demonstrations Fall 2024
Audience: Senior Citizens, Citizens with physical limitations
Content or Curriculum: Accessible gardening through UK Ag Engineering
Project or Activity: Develop feasible and accessible garden areas in small communities, increase places by 100%
Inputs: Master Gardeners, UK Ag Engineering, Extension Agent
Date: July 2024-June 2025
Audience: Beef Producers
Content or Curriculum:
Project or Activity: Develop an IRM plan for the farms that meet the standards of the committee. Work through local farmers to implement new feeder calf study: PVAP
Inputs: Beef Specialists, Ag Agent, Local Veterinarian, and selected producers.
Date: Summer 2024 - Spring 2025
Audience: Beef Producers
Content or Curriculum: ROWLI videos, FACEBOOK Live program
Project or Activity: Bring in producers to utilize programs developed, create training schedule to bring producers in or virtually to offer the trainings
Inputs: Beef Specialists, Ag Agents, Local Veterinarian
Date: Winter 2024-25
Audience: New Farm Owners
Content or Curriculum: Video Series by UK Specialists and Agents, ‘So You Bought a Farm
Project or Activity: Develop a schedule to view videos, discuss local resources available
Inputs: Video series, Ag/Natural Resource Agents, local businesses and accountants, lawyers
Date: Winter 2024 and Spring 2025
Audience: KY LTC participants, homeowners, Detention Center, local schools-SRIS new program
Content or Curriculum: Hydroponic system for home and commercial use
Project or Activity: Erect Hydroponic system for demonstration evaluate use, feasibility for use in lunchrooms
Inputs: KSU Area Agent, CES agents
Date: Winter 2024 and Spring 2025
Audience: Grain Crops Scouting
Content or Curriculum:
Project or Activity: Develop a team of farm store field scouts that will assist in training a YOUTH scouting team, then compete in competitions
Inputs: Local scouts, Ag Extension Agent, UK Specialists
Date: Summer 2024-Fall 2024
Audience: All types of pasture grazers and hay feeders
Content: New publications and NEW KADF program guidelines, ON-Farm Water and Technology program
Project: Develop a team of NRCS, Farm suppliers and Extension to evaluate present grazing and Hay feeding program on farms and make suggestions for improvements
Inputs: Local business, NRCS and KADF funding
DATE: 2025
Audience: All farming families
Content: GAP, PBM, YQCA, PQA, BQA, Dicamba, PAT, SRQA, Soil and Hay testing programs
Project: Continue to offer needed certifications, and increase utilization of programs with a wider impact or scope.
Inputs: Specialists and ALL required program curriculum obtained by agent
DATE: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: All Landowners
Content: Conservation Program, KADF Programming
Project: Increase knowledge and use of Conservation practices, Increase utilization of Cost Share Programs
Inputs: NRCS, FSA, Local lending agencies, Adult Ag Education Program,
DATE: 2024-24 5program years
Audience: Pre-K through 5th grade
Content: Ag in the Classroom Projects
Project: Provide knowledge information to each FRYSC Coordinator and each classroom. Hands on activities will also be provided along with vegetable plants for each student
Inputs: Ag in the Classroom, Farm Bureau reading materials
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Farmers in the County
Content: UK Corn Variety Trial, UK Nitrogen Study, BC Sweet Corn and Raised Bed Trials, UK Flower Variety Trial
Project: Conduct on Farm Meetings, workshops surrounding UK Supported Trials
Inputs: UK Corn Variety, UK Horticulture Department, BC Extension Service, Master Gardeners
Date: 2024-25 program year
