Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture and Natural Resources Education for Youth
Economic Development
NR, LDM
Agriculture
Natural Resources
Camping
Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. Learning about the impact of natural resources in those areas is critical for today's youth to gain a better understanding in how to preserve, nurture, and sustain our natural resources.
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). Kentucky 4-H provides environmental education opportunities by engaging youth 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.
Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. 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). Of the 75,966 farms in Kentucky, over 90% are individually or family owned. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019).
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.
- Youth will be environmentally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.
- Youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- 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.
- Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life.
- Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations.
- 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.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content.
- Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- 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.
Initial Outcome: Youth Participate in a 4-H agriculture or natural resources club or program
Indicator: Participation
Method: Program Indicators
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Youth develop skills while participating in a 4-H agriculture or natural resources club or program
Indicator: Confirmation from Youth
Method: Surveys, word of mouth, etc.
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Youth use the skills they developed in 4-H agriculture or natural resources club or program to improve their lives.
Indicator: Confirmation from Youth
Method: Surveys, word of mouth, etc.
Timeline: Ongoing
Youth Natural Resources Program Evaluation
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- Youth plan and implement a natural resource project (e.g., entomology project, forestry project, etc.).
- Indicator of Success for Outcome
- Youth complete a natural resource project.
- Method of Evaluation
- 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
- Program Indicators
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H natural resource programming (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resources (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who have gained an understanding of ecosystems in Kentucky (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)
Youth Agriculture Program 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
- 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
- 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)
Audience: Marshall County Youth & 4-H Gardening Club Members
Project or Activity: Junior Master Gardener
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum- Learn Grow Eat Go and Junior Master Gardener Handbook
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for ANR, Extension Assistant, Volunteer time, training materials, facilities, etc.
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Marshall County 4th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Youth Ag Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H/NEP Curriculum.
Inputs: County Extension Agents for ANR & 4-H Youth Development/Extension Assistant/4-H & Ag Volunteer time, training materials, facilities, etc.
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Marshall County Youth (Grades 4-12)
Project or Activity: 4-H Trailblazers Club / Horse Project -- If volunteer secured to become a Certified Horse Volunteer.
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horse Project Curriculum & Ohio Horse Lab Kit / Equine Related Speakers & Workshops
Inputs: 4-H Agent/Certified Horse Volunteers, W! & W2 4-H & ANR Agents, UK Equine Specialists
Date: 2024-25 Club Year
Audience: Marshall County Youth (Grades 4-12)
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Project Curriculum & Lab Kit / Livestock Related Speakers & Workshops
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agents for ANR & 4-H Youth Development/Certified Livestock Volunteers, W1 & W2 4-H & ANR Agents
Date: 2024-25 Club Year
Audience: Marshall County, Community 4-H Clubs & CFS/NCCA Club Members/Students
Project or Activity: School Enrichment Programs, 4-H Club Lessons and/or Day Camps
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources & Agriculture Curriculum
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development & ANR, Extension Assistant, 4-H Volunteers
Date: 2024-25
Audience: Marshall County 4-H Sharp Shooters
Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports/Environmental Programs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports Curriculum, Natural Resources, and Cook it Wild KY
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development & ANR, Extension Assistant, 4-H Volunteers
Date: 2024-25
Audience: Marshall County 4-H Youth (Ages 9-14)
Project or Activity: Residential Summer 4-H Camp 2025
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources & Multiple Other Core Curriculum Areas
Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, Marshall County 4-H Teen & Adult Camp Counselors
Date: Summer 2025
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Agriculture
There are approximately 13, 600 head of cattle in Marshall County (USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service.) It is common knowledge that cattle and other large livestock often escape their enclosures but few members of the general population know how to safely interact with these escaped livestock. Many adults and children lack experience with large animals, having never been around livestock. A large number of those who have have experience with livestock, only have experience with large a
