Extension
It Starts With Us
AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
SHAD BAKER, NANETTE BANKS, CRYSTAL SMITH
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Trail Design
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Situation:
According to 2017 Census of Ag, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Letcher County was $138,000, which was only a slight increase over the previous five-year census. The land in farms is 5,623 total acres on 103 farms. There are only 48 acres in croplands. The estimated market value of these farms is $163,784. These numbers show that Letcher County has a very small agricultural economy relative to other counties in the state. This is likely due to the very mountainous terrain. However, niche crops that take advantage of the local farmers market and interest in specialty crops shows promise, as it has accounted for almost all crop value growth. Niche crops of interest and promise for local clientele include honeybees, maple syrup, small fruits (blueberries, brambles, etc.), and mushrooms.
The economy is in the process of finding its footing after the rapid decline in value and depletion of the coal industry. In its place is an interest in tourism, and nature-based activities. The tourism task force has placed a strong emphasis on trails, with the Pine Mountain Trail/Great Eastern Trail hiking trails, Tanglewood Bike Trail, the Pioneer Horse Trail and regional ATV trails being central. Public support for advancing these programs was requested during Letcher County Needs Assessment and County Extension Council meetings. Coupled with these projects is a need for litter abatement, recycling, and green-living and work on natural resource management, which includes timber management.
Long-term Outcomes:
- Clientele will use responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home & community.
- Clientele will practice proper environmental stewardship that will conserve natural resources and the productivity of the land while maximizing the economic and social benefits.
- Clientele will utilize the farmers market to market produce.
- Clientele will volunteer for community projects such as trail construction, litter pick-up, stream and river clean-ups.
Intermediate Outcomes:
- Clients will put knowledge gained from Extension programs into practice by using recommended Forestry and Horticultural practices.
- Clients will increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
- The number of farmers seeking access to equipment, master loggers, soil testing, etc. will increase.
- Land owners, youth and citizens recognize that forests and wildlife are renewable resources which can produce economic benefits and enjoyment for our community
Initial Outcomes:
- Requests for horticultural information will increase.
- Clients will value local food products and take steps to produce these crops.
- Farmers Market attendance and sales will increase.
- Increase in master logger or woodland owner participation. Increased demand for horticulture workshops.
- Community leaders, landowners, youth, and citizens will gain knowledge of the use of recommended management practices and the effect of the proper use of these practices on the environment.
- Community leaders, land owners, youth and citizens value proper environmental stewardship practices and become aware of the impact of the decisions they make on the environment.
Evaluation
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in environmental education
Indicator: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle initiatives implemented, county clean-up of streams/roadsides
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in agricultural enterprises
Indicator: agricultural enterprises will be launched
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in natural resources
Indicator: maple school, master logger, etc. programs utilized
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain a knowledge and increase skills in tourism development
Indicator: Volunteer in tourism projects and task force committees will occur
Method: Observation and Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Learning Opportunities
Audience: Producers, Homemakers, Youth, Senior Citizens, Community Members
Project or Activity: Horticultural Workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Power-points, Woodland Owner Short-course, Pesticide Certification Trainings, 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Assistants & Specialists
Date: Summer 2024, Spring 2025
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training,
Content or Curriculum: KDA-approved curriculum (PBPT Power-Point),
Inputs: ANR and FCS Agents
Date: Spring 2025
Project or Activity: Greenhouse- Basics of Horticulture, Season Extenders
Content or Curriculum: AG and 4-H curriculums
Inputs: AG, FCS and 4 H Agents,, Assistants and Extension Staff
Date: Summer -Fall 2024
Project or Activity: Non-Timber Forest Products (Maple, Ginseng, Shiitake)
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point, Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: AG, FCS and 4H Agents, Program Assistants and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Fall 2024, Winter 2024
Project or Activity: Raptor Program/Falconry
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: Program Assistant, FCS & 4-H Agents and/or UK Specialists.
Date: Summer - Fall 2024
Project or Activity: Trail Programs (Tanglewood Trail, Bike Trail, and Pioneer Horse Trail)
Content or Curriculum: Leopold Education Project, CEDIK Materials, Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: ANR Agent, Assistant and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Project or Activity: Woodland Owner Short Course
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: ANR Agent and/or UK Specialists
Date: Fall 2024
Project or Activity: Tourism Hikes, Wellness Walks
Content or Curriculum: Get Moving Kentucky, Tree ID Booklets, Plant ID Publications, Leopold Education Project
Input: ANR, FCS and 4H Agents and Assistants, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Project or Activity: Pollinator Promotion,
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Spring 2024 - Summer 2025
Project or Activity: Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Monthly
Project or Activity: Honey Day, A Bee's Life, 4-H Bee Ambassador Program
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Summer-Fall 2024
Project or Activity: Pumpkin Days
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum, ANR Publications
Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Staff
Date: Fall 2024
Project or Activity: Green Living
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent & Assistant
Date: Spring 2025
Project or Activity: Master Naturalists & 4-H Master Naturalists
Content or Curriculum: Master Naturalist Curriculum, Backyards & Beyond, Exploring Your Environment
Inputs: ANR and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Summer-Fall 2024
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
The catastrophic flooding of 2022 left destruction in Eastern Kentucky, but it also left experience and a heart for those dealing with disasters. When Hurricane Helene hit parts of North Carolina and Tennessee, Letcher Countians felt the familiar pain had visited their neighbors and they were duty-bound to render aid and the educational message which Extension knows well.The Letcher County Extension Office partnered with Childers Oil, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Meridzo Ministries, Letcher County Home
