Extension
It Starts With Us
Bests Practices for living and working in the local environment
Environmental Stewardship
A. Bruzek, A. Sheffield, J. Ray
Soil testing
Chemical Management
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Boyle County ranks 111th of the 120 Kentucky counties in area but has a population of just over 30,000, making the county 34th in population density (US Census, 2020). Balancing the pressures of a small town of 17,000 with the needs of the surrounding rural and agricultural areas means environmental issues often surface in the community. Land owners, environmentalists, and agriculturalists all seek best practices to protect natural resources and the local environment. Growth in local population and industry places increasing pressure on local resources, including water, air, and undeveloped land through increased waste, traffic, and development. Agriculture and Horticulture advisory councils, the County Extension Council, and community partners wish to encourage behaviors by all citizens that will protect the local environment.
Producers and landowners minimize the negative impacts of pesticide use through wise and economical use of products on homes, lawns, gardens and crops.
Families and individuals improve their diets, beautify their surroundings and add value to their lives and properties using environmentally-friendly products and practices.
Clientele apply pesticides using recommended best practices.
Clientele reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Clientele use sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices and products in commercial and home settings.
Clientele explain the proper use of sprayers and other application equipment.
Clientele identify active ingredients in chemical products and describe their modes of action.
Clientele describe proper chemical handling and storage.
Clientele review best management practices to protect the environment for commercial and private agricultural and horticultural settings.
Clientele learn about bees and other insects and their roles in pollination and food production.
Clientele identify opportunities in the home to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Initial Outcome: Clientele explain the proper use of sprayers and other application equipment.
Indicator: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031
Method: Record of clientele participating in programs; in-program activities and verbal reviews; post-program evaluations including certifications
Timeline: Year-round
Initial Outcome: Clientele identify active ingredients in chemical products and describe their modes of action.
Indicator: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031
Method: Record of clientele participating in programs; in-program activities and verbal reviews; post-program evaluations including certifications
Timeline: Year-round
Initial Outcome: Clientele describe proper chemical handling and storage.
Indicator: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031
Method: Record of clientele participating in programs; in-program activities and verbal reviews; post-program evaluations including certifications
Timeline: Year-round
Initial Outcome: Clientele review best management practices to protect the environment for commercial and private agricultural and horticultural settings.
Indicator: Ag Water Quality Program 1002; Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Sustainable Agriculture 1861; Soils 1074; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031; Master Gardeners 1032; Commercial Horticulture
Method: Record of clientele participating in educational programs; in-program hands-on activities and verbal reviews; post-program evaluations; follow-up consultations with program participants
Timeline: Year-round
Initial Outcome: Clientele learn about bees and other insects and their roles in pollination and food production.
Indicator: Bees/Beekeeping 1018
Method: Record of clientele participating in programs; in-program activities and verbal reviews; post-program evaluations; follow-up consultations with program participants
Timeline: Year-round
Initial Outcome: Clientele identify opportunities in the home to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Indicator: Hazardous Household Products Module 2029; Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities – General 2041
Method: Record of clientele participating in programs; in-program activities and verbal reviews; post-program evaluations
Timeline: Year-round
Intermediate Outcome: Clientele apply pesticides using recommended best practices.
Indicator: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031
Method: Number of clientele reporting using recommended practices; follow up contacts with program participants; community water quality data
Timeline: 1-5 years
Intermediate Outcome: Clientele reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Indicator: : Ag Water Quality Program 1002; Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Sustainable Agriculture 1861; Soils 1074; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031; Master Gardeners 1032; Commercial Horticulture; Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities – General 2041
Method: Number of clientele reporting use of recommended practices and information; follow up contacts with program participants
Timeline: 1 month to 1 year
Intermediate Outcome: Clientele use sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices and products in commercial and home settings.
Indicator: Ag Water Quality Program 1002; Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Sustainable Agriculture 1861; Soils 1074; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031; Master Gardeners 1032; Commercial Horticulture; Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities – General 2041
Method: Number of clientele reporting use of recommended practices and information; follow up contacts with program participants
Timeline: 1 month to 2 years
Long-term Outcome: Producers and landowners minimize the negative impacts of pesticide use through wise and economical use of products on homes, lawns, gardens and crops.
Indicator: Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031
Method: County water quality data
Timeline: 5-10 years
Long-term Outcome: Families and individuals improve their diets, beautify their surroundings and add value to their lives and properties using environmentally-friendly products and practices.
Indicator: Ag Water Quality Program 1002; Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests 1041; Sustainable Agriculture 1861; Soils 1074; Home and Consumer Horticulture 1031; Master Gardeners 1032; Commercial Horticulture; Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities – General 2041
Method: Surveys of program participants
Timeline: 1-5 years
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Pesticide Licensing
Content or Curriculum: KDA pesticide licensing
Inputs: KDA, Extension Specialists ,extension agents
Date: Year- round
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: IPM courses
Content or Curriculum: integrated pest management courses
Inputs: Extension specialists and staff, KDA
Date: Year Round
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Soil classes, fertilizer classes
Inputs: Regulatory Services, Extension specialists and staff
Date: Year Round
Audience: Adults and Children
Project or Activity: Beekeeping courses
Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping clubs and courses
Inputs: State Apiarist, Extension specialists and staff, Beekeeping Clubs
Date: Year Round
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Riparian Buffer plantings, Rain Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Installing rain gardens and riparian buffers along streams
Inputs: Extension specialists and staff, Bluegrass Green Source, CREEC, City of Danville
Date: Year Round
Audience: Adults and Children
Project or Activity: Arbor Day Celebration
Content or Curriculum: Tree City USA,
Inputs: Arbor Day Foundation, Extension Specialists and staff, CREEC, Bluegrass Green Source, City of Danville, Boyle Co. Government
Date: Boyle Co. Arbor Day celebration
Audience: Individuals and Families
Project or Activity: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities
Content or Curriculum: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities
Inputs: CES staff and specialists, CES pubs and resources, community partners
Date: Year round
Audience:Livestock producers
Project or Activity:Dead Animal pick up
Content or Curriculum:U.K curriculum on water quality and disposal(composting) of deceased animals on the farm.
Inputs:Extension specialist, extension agents, ky. division of water, County fiscal court, county soil conservation district, and Ky. Department of Agriculture.
Date:Year round
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Author: Joseph Ray
Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
During the summer of 2024, the Boyle County Cooperative Extension Office, including the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Agent, embarked on an impactful partnership with local Family Resource and Youth Service Center Coordinators from both the Boyle County Public School System and the Danville Independent School System. This collaboration arose from a shared commitment to addressing educational needs and enriching the learning experiences of students in the community.The partnership facil
