Protecting the Future by Conservation Today Plan of Work
Grant County CES
Title:
Protecting the Future by Conservation Today
MAP:
Elevating Local Food Systems
Agents Involved:
Ammerman, Conkwright, McFarland
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Situation:
A recent community needs assessment and direction from the advisors of the local Soil and Water Conservation district has increased the focus on the two primary watersheds and negative ramifications from improperly applied chemicals by pesticide applications. Furthermore, homeowners, farmers and landowners of 10+ acres are applying pesticides for insect and weed control on home lawns, hayfields and pasture grazing systems.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Participants would implement practicum that would reduce pesticide leaching and drift therefore improving the cleanliness of the streams and rivers.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Best management practices are embraced by the residents and land owners. These practices are sought after as the “norm” in application of pesticides.
Initial Outcomes:
Extension service would work with other organizations to teach and demonstrate practices addressing applying and storage of pesticides correctly.
Evaluation:
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: Farm or land owners
Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: UK Patim
Inputs: Agent and PATIM training videos
Date: March 2025
Audience: Urban or Suburban Residents
Project or Activity: Home visits and Phone Calls
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications
Date: yearly
Audience: Farm and Home Owners
Project of Activity: Developing a Pest Management Plan
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications
Date: April 2025
Audience: Home Owners
Project of Activity: Lawn Care Basics
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications,
Date: March 2025
Audience: Farm and Home Gardeners
Project of Activity: Pests & Diseases in the Garden
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications
Date: April 2025
Audience: Farm or land owners
Project or Activity: Water Quality Plan Training
Content or Curriculum: UK Water Quality plan
Inputs: Agent and UK website
Date: August - October 2024
Audience: 7 & 8 Grade Students
Project of Activity: Extension Environmental Outreach Area
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications, volunteers, donations
Date: year round
Audience: 4H and Middle School Youth
Project of Activity: Natural Resource Enviromental Acadamy
Content or Curriculum: 4H and UK Forestry
Inputs: Agents, Curriculum, Specialists
Date: ongoing
Audience: Seniors
Project of Activity: Community Garden
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, other research publications
Inputs: Agents, local businesses, curriculum
Date: Summer 24 through Spring 2025
Success Stories
Cultivating Creativity and Community through Wreath-Making in Grant County
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
In 2024, the Grant County Cooperative Extension Office partnered with a local farm family, Miles Christmas Tree Farm, to host a wreath-making workshop aimed at promoting sustainable forestry use. With over 26,000 acres of forest in Grant County, the program taught 35 participants how to responsibly harvest natural materials like cedar, pine, and grapevine to create decorative wreaths.Participants learned tree identification, sustainable pruning, and marketing basics for selling wreaths locally.
Full Story
- Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
- S107 Ag. Science Center North
- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
- +1 (859) 257-4302
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment