Extension
It Starts With Us
Agricultural Education and Production
Agricultural Awareness, Diversification and Production
Allen, Coleman and Slone
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Small Farm Diversification
Agriculture
Local Food Systems
Agriculture is not as prevalent in Floyd County as in other parts of the state. The county has mostly part-time and small farmers. Most of these producers have diversified operations with small numbers of livestock and/or acres of pasture and crops. Even though these are smaller operations, they still add financial support to their families and to the county. The major livestock in the county consists of beef cattle, goats, sheep and horses. The major crops consist of hay, corn, fruits and vegetables. Also, a large number of the people in the county raise a small garden or fruit trees for home use. The leadership has directed us to address the above areas with the necessary emphasis on sustainability, diversification, small farm production and marketing. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults. Mainly directed to those individuals involved or with an interest in livestock, crops, fruit, and vegetable production, both commercially and family based. Another goal for Extension is to increase agricultural awareness and literacy among the youth in the county. One of the key initiatives in 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life. Family and Consumer Sciences acknowledges a foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food preservation, handling, and techniques
Long-term Outcomes:
*Number of people who increased profits, reduced expenses, and/or reduced risks on their agricultural operations.
*Number of people adopting new technologies and/or skills in agriculture production.
*Number of producers who increased or maintained sales and/or reduced risk when selling farm and value-added products.
*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.
*Routinely employ healthy dietary practices that promote health and wellness (e.g. consume recommended daily fruits and vegetables and improve food management skills)
Intermediate Outcomes:
*Number of farmers who have diversified their small farms, or added “new enterprises”.
*Number of people who used Extension resources and diagnostics to test soil and identify plants, weeds, insects, pests, and/or diseases.
*Number of growers who extended the growing season, diversified crop production, implemented irrigation systems, and/or practiced crop rotation.
*Number of people who used Extension information to make decisions on site selection, varieties, and/or maintenance.
*Number of certified Master Gardeners and active volunteers.
*Number of direct and indirect contacts made by Master Gardeners.
*Number of producers who adopted best practices to improve their livestock operations.
*Number of beekeepers who used Extension information and resources in their production
*Number of people who completed food safety related trainings, obtained process certifications and/or used Extension marketing resources.
*Number of people who utilize forested lands as part of agricultural operations.
*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.
*Increase intake of fruits and vegetables.
*Employ healthful food preservation techniques
*Increased access to healthy food via local farmers markets, food retailers, and/or home gardens
Initial Outcome:
*Number of farmers who increased their knowledge on farm business planning and financial management skills.
*Number of people who gained knowledge in establishing and maintaining hives, honey production, and marketing.
*Number of people who gained knowledge in commercial, consumer, home horticulture, and crop diversification.
*Number of people who gained information and/or knowledge on livestock related topics and production.
*Number of people who gained knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their operations.
*Number of people who gained an understanding of the importance of diversity in small operations.
*Number of people who gained knowledge that managing the forest could be a viable enterprise.
*Number of people who gained knowledge on food safety, handling, processing, liability and/or marketing.
*Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision making, critical thinking, communications, wise use of resources and leadership.
*Increase motivation to access and prepare healthier foods.
*Improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. gardening, preparation and preservation techniques, safe food handling, food resource management)
Long-term Outcome: Number of people who increased profits, reduced expenses, and/or reduced risks on their agricultural operations.
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Observations and Surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and sufficient time for implementation – year round
Long-term Outcome: Number of producers who increased or maintained sales and/or reduced risk when selling farm and value-added products.
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Observations and Surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and sufficient time for implementation – year round
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in ANR project program, event or activity.
Method: observation, testimonials, surveys
Timeline: year round
Intermediate Outcome: Number of people who used Extension resources and diagnostics to test soil and identify plants, weeds, insects, pests, and/or diseases.
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Observations and Surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and sufficient time for implementation – year round
Intermediate Outcome: Number of people who used Extension information to make decisions on site selection, varieties, and/or maintenance.
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Observations and Surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and sufficient time for implementation – year round
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: number of youth who have engaged in a community project related to ANR.
Method: observation, testimonials, surveys
Timeline: year round
Initial Outcome: Number of people who gained knowledge in commercial, consumer, home horticulture, and crop diversification.
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Observations and Surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and sufficient time for implementation – year round
Initial Outcome: Number of people who gained knowledge in establishing and maintaining hives, honey production, and marketing.
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: on site/phone consultations, observations, and surveys
Timeline: After program conclusion and sufficient time for implementation – year round
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Number of youth who set a goal and accomplish it.
Method: observation, testimonials, surveys
Timeline: year round
Initial Outcome: Preparing and preserving food
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported preserving fruits and vegetables, modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition
Method: Self-report survey; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Fall
Initial Outcome: Availability and access to healthy food
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: utilizing delivery systems/access points (e.g., farmers’ markets) that offer healthy foods; supplementing diets with healthy foods grown or preserved (e.g., community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting, farmers markets); dollar value of vendor-reported sales Senior benefits redeemed at farmers’ markets; number of pints of foods preserved through water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, or drying.
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Year round
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Producers Program
Content or Curriculum: feeding, health, reproduction, marketing, forages and basic management
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Year round
Audience: Horticultural Producers
Project or Activity: Fruit & Gardening Programs
Content or Curriculum: beginning gardening, variety selection, pest control, fruit pruning and grafting, small area production, processing and preservation, marketing
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Year round
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4 H and Youth Ag Programs
Content or Curriculum: agriculture issues and production to introduce and educate youth about the importance of agriculture
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists
Date: Year round
Audience: Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Conservation Programs
Content or Curriculum: Soil sampling, cost-share programs, and related issues
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations
Date: Year round
Audience: Land Owners
Project or Activity: Forest Landowners Programs
Content or Curriculum: Forestry, wildlife, habitat and related issues
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations
Date: As needed
Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Small scale & specialty agricultural production programs
Content or Curriculum: Various agricultural related topics and issues
Inputs: Extension Resources, Agents, Specialists and Collaborative Organizations
Date: As needed
Audience: Youth grades K-8th
Project or Activity: Clubs and School enrichment
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Agriculture, Chick incubation,
Inputs: club leaders, agents and staff
Date: Spring
Audience: Youth in grades 4-12
Project or Activity: 4-H project work will focus on family hands on projects
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H project books and National 4-H project books
Inputs: Club leaders, parents, agents and staff
Date: Spring
Audience: General Community
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Outreach Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access (e.g. location, hours, EBT), Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit, Super Star Chef
Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, grant funds, facilities, Kentucky Department of AgricultureDate: April – October/Growing seasons
Audience: Families
Project or Activity: Food Preservation Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP
Date: July – September for adults and youth
Author: Chad Allen
Major Program: Beekeeping
Honeybees are valuable animals. They pollinate about $10 billion worth of U.S. crops and produce about $150 million worth of honey each year. Unfortunately, they face serious new problems. Two kinds of mites that are parasites of honeybees were brought into the United States and have spread rapidly. Tracheal mites live in air tubes inside bees, making it hard for them to breathe. Varroa mites live in bee colonies and feed on developing bee larvae (brood). Both tiny pe
Author: Heather Coleman
Major Program: Agriculture
Floyd County Extension hosted our first ever Youth Ag Days. 170 students in third and fourth grade attend. During their day the students rotated through three different lessons. During the Honeybee lesson led by the 4-H Agent, Beekeeper Association President Mike Hackworth and member Chris West, youth learned the importance of honeybees and why they are important to our food system and how to become a beekeeper. They were able to try four types of honey. During their second se
