Develop stronger, more sustainable agricultural economy and conserve natural resources.Plan of Work

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Whitley County CES

Title:
Develop stronger, more sustainable agricultural economy and conserve natural resources.
MAP:
Agriculture Education/Production and Environmental awareness.
Agents Involved:
Moses (Community Arts), Burgard (FCS), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

In the most recent 2017 Census of Agriculture, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Whitley County was $6,059,000.  The total farm production expenses (average per farm) was $12,478 compared to $61,929 for the state.  Farm acreage is 58,983 acres which is 21% of the county total.  There are 668 farmers with an average age of 58.  

Forests cover nearly half the state of Kentucky and are the foundation of a forest sector that is a major economic force in the Commonwealth.   

The current estimates last taken from 2020 for the economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest sector include: 

-$9.55 billion in direct economic contribution 

-$13.97 billion in total economic contributions 

-27,000 jobs in the forest sector and an estimated 53,000 jobs overall 

The Kentucky Forest Sector is divided into six sub-sectors: 

-Logging 

-Primary Wood Manufacturing 

-Pulp and Paper 

-Secondary Wood Manufacturing 

-Paper Converters 

-Wood Residue 

Each of these sub-sectors is comprised of multiple forest businesses. The wood resources that support Kentucky’s forest sector primarily come from Kentucky’s forests. Each acre of harvested timber is estimated to contribute $23,288 to Kentucky’s economy.  Whitley County contributes to all aspects of the forest sector economy in Kentucky.

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Increased support for local food producers.

-Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations. 

-Reduced illegal dumping and littering. 

-Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner. 

 -People understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy. 

-Agricultural and forestry operators/producers become aware of and try new markets

Initial Outcomes:

-Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County. 

-More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering.   

-Agricultural and forestry markets identified and promoted. 

Evaluation:

Longterm Outcome: Increased sustainability of agricultural and forestry operations.   

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operations remaining in business. 

Method:  Observation and surveys. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Longterm Outcome:  Reduced illegal dumping and littering. 

Indicator:  Number of people using “Dumpster Days” as a way to dispose of trash and debris. 

Method:  Observation and “Dumpster Days” records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Longterm Outcome:  Increased market opportunities for agricultural and forestry operations. 

Indicator:  Number of new or expanding agricultural and forestry markets. 

Method:  Observation and forest products industry index. 

Timeline:  Ongoing.  

  

Intermediate Outcome:  Agricultural and forestry operators better trained to do their work in an environmentally sustainable manner. 

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in trainings offered. 

Method:  Observation and training records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Intermediate Outcome:  All people understand the negative impacts of improper trash disposal to our environment and economy. 

Indicator:  Number of people who participate in pollution education events. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Intermediate Outcome:  Agricultural and forestry operators become aware of and try new markets. 

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in market education events. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Initial Outcome:   Agricultural and forestry operators participate in educational opportunities offered in Whitley County. 

Indicator:  Number of agricultural and forestry operators who participate in educational events. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Initial Outcome:   More Whitley County residents aware of “Dumpster Days”, a local effort to reduce illegal dumping and littering. 

Indicator:  Number of advertisements for “Dumpster Days” in media. 

Method:  Circulation of newspapers and social media contacts. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

  

Initial Outcome:  More Whitley County residents become aware of agricultural and forestry markets. 

Indicator:  Number of participants who become aware of agricultural and forestry markets. 

Method:  Observation and event records. 

Timeline:  Ongoing. 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Beef producers 

    Project or Activity:  Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association 

    Content or Curriculum:  UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA, NRCS, etc. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date: Meets monthly 2024-2025

 
Audience:  Sheep/goat producers 

    Project or Activity:  Southeast sheep and goat association. 

    Content or Curriculum:  UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA, NRCS, etc. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  Meets annually 2024-2025

  

Audience:  Sustainable agriculture. 

   Project or Activity:  Small Farms Group 

   Content or Curriculum:  UK pubs and other appropriate information from KDA, FSA, NRCS, etc. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  Meets monthly 2024-2025

  

Audience:  Beekeepers 

    Project or Activities:  Whitley County Bee Club 

    Content:  UK pubs, KDA Beelines and other pubs, and KSU pubs. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  Meets monthly except winter 2024-2025


Audience:  Gardeners 

    Project or Activities:   Save the Children gardening program

    Content:  UK pubs  

    Inputs:  HORT, FNEP

    Date:  monthly meetings. 

  

Audience:  Agricultural and Horticultural producers. 

    Project or Activities:  Pesticide safety trainings. 

    Content:  UK pubs and KDA training materials. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date: Two times a year 2024-2025

  

Audience:  Loggers 

    Project or Activities:  Master Logger trainings

    Content:  UK pubs and Kentucky Division of Forestry materials. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date: 2024-2025

  

Audience:  Whitley County residents. 

    Project or Activities:  Whitley County Ag Day. 

    Content:  UK pubs and other agency materials. 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents 

    Date:  Annual event in August/September 2024-2025

  

Audience:  Whitley County landowners and forest industry personnel. 

    Project or Activities:  Kentucky Wood Expo 

    Content:  UK pubs 

    Inputs:  specialists and agents. 

    Date:  Biennial 2024-2025


Audience:  Whitley County Residents

    Project or Activities:  Art and Agriculture workshops 

    Content:  UK pubs, CEDIK 

    Inputs:  Ag, Community Arts, Volunteers

    Date: Spring-Fall 2024-2025

 

Audience:  Whitley County Residents

    Project or Activities:  Mixed Media with materials from environment 

    Content:  UK pubs, CEDIK 

    Inputs:  ANR, HORT, Community Arts, Volunteers, 4-H 

    Date:  2024-2025 

 

Audience: General Public/Families 

Project or Activity: Environmental education through the arts

Content or Curriculum: UK publication, Fine Arts, KSU, SNAP, NASA, Horticulture, Agriculture, FCS, NAAEE, KEEC

Inputs: Community Arts, 4-H, Agricultural, local artist, Volunteers, Soil Conservation Service,  Local Recycling organizations, schools

Date: Spring-Fall 2024-25


Audience:  4-H Junior Master Gardeners 

    Project or Activities:   Raised Garden Beds, Bees, Flower Planting

    Content:  Junior Master Gardener Curriculum   

    Inputs:  4-H 

    Date:  monthly meetings 2024-2025


Audience: Agriculturists/Horticulturists 

Project or Activity: Beginning Gardening Program 

Content: PPT Presentations/ UK Publications/ Variety of Handouts 

Inputs: Horticulture Agent/ UK Specialists 

Date: Feb 2024 and Feb 2025

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