Agriculture and Natural Resources Plan of Work

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Laurel County CES

Title:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Davidson, Easley, Williams, and Mobley
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
Situation:

Established and new agriculture producers are looking for ways to increase farm income in order to offset the increasing price of farm inputs, high land rent, and lower prices.  It is important to educate producers on best management practices to : keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare.  Educational programs are targeted to provide producers with tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. Kentucky's population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing.  Therefore, need exists to educate people, including youth, about the importance of agriculture and its impact on their daily life, the local economy and environment.  Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, the statewide household participation rate for all curbside garbage collection types was 86.6%. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Sustain Kentucky agriculture • Social • Economic • Environmental 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources and agriculture in daily life

Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources.

Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations

Participants will have used Extension resources in making decisions related to production agriculture and environmental issues.

Implement best practice to:  improve soil health, conserve soil and/or water, pesticide applications and safety, IPM management strategies, pollinator protection, farm management strategies, input costs and marketing strategies to increase income, increase sustainability 


Initial Outcomes:

Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, plant and soil science, environmental sciences and natural resources content 

Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agriculture systems, environmental sustainability and stewardship

Youth will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, crtitical thinking, communication, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership

Participants will increase their knowledge: of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use, gain IPM practices, environmental sustainability, pollinator protection, utilizing different testing and diagnostic services in order to improve management and production, record keeping and financial management, animal best management practices and resources, crop productions practices and resources, and marketing strategies and resources.


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, plant and soil science, environmental sciences and natural resources content 

Indicator: increased ability and confidence in communicating, demonstrating and making decisions that pertain to agriculture, environment and resources

Method: verbal communication, formative and summative evaluations, competitions

Timeline: year round


Intermediate Outcome:Implement best practice to:  improve soil health, conserve soil and/or water, pesticide applications and safety, IPM management strategies, pollinator protection, farm management strategies, input costs and marketing strategies to increase income, increase sustainability 

Indicator: increased implementation of best practices, increased income and recordkeeping

Method: competitions, verbal communication, 6 month post program evaluations,

Timeline: year round


Long-term Outcome:Participants will increase their knowledge: of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use, gain IPM practices, environmental sustainability, pollinator protection, utilizing different testing and diagnostic services in order to improve management and production, record keeping and financial management, animal best management practices and resources, crop productions practices and resources, and marketing strategies and resources.

Indicator: decreased environmental issues, cleaner water, less pollution, increased environmental and agricultural health of Laurel County, increased farm income and decreased farm inputs

Method:  increased farm revenue, verbal communication, 

Timeline: year round

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Animal Sciences

Content or Curriculum: 4-H livestock certification kit; 4-H project books

Inputs: local school system, volunteers, extension Agents and staff

Date: Sept-August


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: : 4-H Skill-A-Thon and Judging Clinics

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Certification Kit

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KDA staff, volunteers, fairgrounds, fair board, school systems

Date: September - July


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Laurel County Agricultural Fair

Content or Curriculum: 4-H and AG materials, community resources

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers, FFA Alumni, FFA, Fair Grounds, Fair Boards

Date: July


Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Content or Curriculum: Penn State Shooting Sports curriculum; UK resources

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers

Date: February- September


Audience: Youth, Adults

Activity: Beekeepers Association

Content or curriculum: local beekeepers

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers, Extension Office, UK specialists, KDA,

Date: monthly, February-October



Audience: Families

Activity: Victory Garden

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: community garden, families  Extension agents and Staff,

Date: May-October


Audience: Adults, Youth

Activity: Animal Health Demo

Content or curriculum: Extension

Inputs: WTA handling facility, Animals, volunteers, cattleman, Extension Agents and staff, FFA, School System

Date: seasonal (March and October)


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Reproduction Study Beef Cows

Content or Curriculum: UK Agricultural Specialists

Inputs: Cows, WTA handling facility, Farmers, Ky Beef Network

Date: Spring and Fall


Audience: Youth

Activity: FFA Livestock Club Programs

Content or Curriculum: School System

Inputs: School system, FFA, Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers, Livestock

Date: August - May


Audience: Adults Youth

Activity: Gardening 

Content or curriculum: UK publications and resources, 4-H project books, Jr. Mater Gardener curriculum

Inputs: community garden, extension agents and staff, Specialists, Master Gardeners, Farm owners, volunteers

Date: April- August


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Farm Pond Management Workshop

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KSU specialists, farm owners, equipment rental

Date: Fall and Spring


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Farm Record Book Workshop

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agent and staff, farm record books and CD's, Volunteers, CPA,

Extension Office

Date: Winter


Audience: Adults

Activity: Community Garden

Demo and Teaching Garden

Content or curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, specialists, volunteers, community garden

Date: May-October


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Produce Best Practices Training

Content or curriculum: KDA, UK

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Extension office

Date: Spring


Audience: Adults

Activity: Integrated Pest Management

Content or curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension Office, Volunteers

Date: Spring


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Content or curriculum: UK publications; Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension office,

Date: ongoing


Audience: Farmers

Activity: Pregnancy Check Clinic

Content or Curriculum: UK specialists and Agents

Inputs: Cows, Extension Agents and staff, WTA handling facilities, Cattleman, Volunteers

Date: Spring and Fall


Audience: Adults, Youth

Activity: Leadership Training Agricultural Advocate

Content and Curriculum: UK Agents, Farm Bureau

Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Media specialist, Farm Bureau, Volunteers

Date: Winter


Audience: Farmers

Activity: A.I. School

Content and Curriculum: UK specialists publications

Inputs: Cows, Specialists, WTA handling facilities, Volunteers Extension Agents and staff

Date: Fall and Spring


Audience: Woodland Owners

Activity: East KY Woodland Owners Shortcourse

Content and curriculum: UK publications, KY Forestry Dept., KY Fish and Wildlife, NRCS

Inputs: Extension Agents, KY Foresters, KY Fish and Wildlife Officers, NRCS Conservationists

Date: August


Audience: General public

Activity: Household Waste Management:  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Content and curriculum: Household Waste Management:  Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Inputs: Extension Agents, City Recycling department

Date: ongoing using social media


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: FCS materials

Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff

Date: Summer


Audience:  Farmers

Project or Activity:  Southeast Kentucky Sheep Producers Asosciation

Content or Curriculum:  UK, KSU, KDA materials

Inputs: Extension agents, staff, sheep producers, UK and KSU specialists

Date:  Spring (Annual Meeting) and Fall (Field Day)




Success Stories

Invasive Species

Author: Steven Mobley

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

I attended an invasive species training in Frankfort. Several invasive species were identified. These invasive species have harmed the natural environment in several different ways, including out competing native species and not providing food for wildlife like the native plants have done in the past.  Invasive plants and native plants have distinct characteristics and impacts on their ecosystems:Native PlantsAdaptation: Native plants are naturally found in a specific region and have adapte

Full Story

4-H Animal Science Projects Shine at Agriculture Fair

Author: Elizabeth Easley

Major Program: Agriculture

Describe the Issue or Situation According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, most Americans are three generations removed from the farm, and only 2% of the population are involved in farming. In Laurel County, 841 farms are in operation. Youth who raise market animals learn how to raise wholesome and nutritious food as they take on the responsibility of raising an animal that will become part of the food chain. Animal-sourced foods provide high-quality protein and key micronutrients es

Full Story

Wilderness Trail Area Bull Evaluation Program

Author: Victor Williams

Major Program: Beef

The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents developed a series of hands-on beef programs over the last year, including marketing, predator control, reproduction, and beef quality assurance.  The most recent program was a collaboration between specialists and agents called the Bull Value Assessment Program.  This is a two-week program where producers learn how to read EPDs of bulls and apply them to real-world situations in the first week.  In the second week, they are given a cattle mana

Full Story

Bull Evaluation Program

Author: Steven Mobley

Major Program: Beef

Wilderness Trail Area Bull Evaluation Program The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents developed a series of hands-on beef programs over the last year, including marketing, predator control, reproduction, and beef quality assurance.  The most recent program was a collaboration between specialists and agents called the Bull Value Assessment Program.  This is a two-week program where producers learn how to read EPDs of bulls and apply them to real-world situations in the first week. &nb

Full Story
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