Extension
It Starts With Us
Farm Mentoring Through Social, Economic, and Environmental Awareness
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
Moses (Community Arts), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
Beef
Horticulture, Commercial
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Forages
The average age of farm producers increased from 56.3 to 57.3 from 2012 to 2017. The 2022 Census is ongoing and not published yet. Kentucky saw the greatest decline in farmland compared to any other state between these years. These statistics echo common issues identified by ANR clientele which included a need for more focus on new/beginning farmers and youth. Also identified was a need for more information about new and emerging markets and innovative, money-saving techniques and practices. Members of the Whitley County ANR Council discussed ways in which these goals could be met through farm mentoring. Also, without bees there could no be sustainable agriculture. Honey bees have a large impact on 15 billion dollars of agricultural industry in the US and from 2015 to 2016 Kentucky lost 30% of it's honeybee hives. Whitley County has an active beekeeper association that is working with the Whitley County Extension Service to educate area residents and increase the amount of healthy, working hives.
Agricultural enterprises managed by new and beginning farmers become more profitable.
An environment is established for the effective inter-generational transfer of innovations and ideas in a variety of areas like beef quality, bee keeping, and horticulture.
Established producers serve as mentors at educational events on a regular basis, through presentations or more informal panel discussions.
A willingness exists by a number of established producers to share their expertise.
New farmers gain knowledge of success farm practices and innovative solutions.
Long-Term Outcome:
Indicator: New and beginning farmers report profitability
Method: Focus group(s), surveys
Timeline: 2024-2025
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Established farmers speak/present at organized events
Method: Focus group(s)
Timeline: 2024-2025
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: New farmers report knowledge gained
Method: Survey
Timeline: 2024-2025
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: BQA Training
Content or Curriculum: KCA, UK Resources
Input: ANR, Hort Agent
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: New and Beginning Farmers
Project or Activity: Farm Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Farm-Specific Practices
Inputs: Agents, Local Farms, UK, FFA, Master Gardeners
Date: Aug/Sept 2024-2025
Audience: County Farmers and Farmers Market Customers
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Producer Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Farmer-Experience
Inputs: Producers, Extension Facilities
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Bee Ambassador Program
Project or Activity: Pollinator Basics, Honey Tasting
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Bee Ambassador Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent
Date: Spring during school enrichment
Audience: Commercial and Backyard Horticulturists
Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: KDA, Specialist, UK
Inputs: HORT, ANR, Specialists
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Aspiring Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Get Started in Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: UK, KSU, KDA
Inputs: UK, KSU, KDA, Local Beekeepers
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Aspiring Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Southeastern Kentucky Beekeeping School
Content or Curriculum: UK, KSU
Inputs: KDA, CES, FFA, Local Beekeepers
Date: 2024-2025
Audience: Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Earth Day
Content or Curriculum: Community Organizations, Publication, Art
Inputs: Community Arts Agent, Agents, community leaders, Whitley County Health department, NRCS, other local organizations and businesses, University of Kentucky forestry department, local restaurants
Date: April 22, 2020-2025
Audience: Youth and Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Project WET
Content or Curriculum: Project WET Curriculum
Inputs: Horticulture, Fine Arts, Whitley County Fiscal Court
Date: 2023-2025, School Enrichment
Audience: Homeowners and landowners
Project or Activity: Earth Day Tree Giveaway
Content or Curriculum: Importance of trees, how to plant, and promoting extension
Inputs: Tree seedlings, Farmer's Market, All agents
Date: April 2020-2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Ag in the Classroom
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, Window Gardening
Inputs: 4-H, Teachers
Date: School Year, School Enrichment Programs
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock (Jr. Cattlemans Club) & Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H, Livestock & Horse Leader
Date: Monthly Meetings August - May
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Jr Master Gardeners Club
Content or Curriculum: Plant, Grow, Eat Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H, Master Gardener Leader
Date: Monthly Meeting August-May
Audience: Youth, Farmers, Whitley County Residents
Project or Activity: Progressive Agriculture Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Progressive Ag
Inputs: 4-H, ANR, Community Partners
Date: October
Audience: Farmers and people interested in improving their gardens, farms, and landscapes
Project or Activity: Garden and Farm Tours (Horticulture, Landscape, and Floriculture)
Content or Curriculum: Visit Whitley County and surrounding county farms
Inputs: Farmers and their farms, Gardeners and their gardens, Horticulture agent, transportation
Date: 2024-2025
