Extension
It Starts With Us
Planting Agricultural Roots
Youth Agriculture and Natural Resources
ANR, FCS, 4-H
Agriculture
Family and Consumer Science
Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves (USDA ERS, 2020). Kentucky agricultural sales in 2018 were reported at $5.9 billion (USDA ERS, 2020). Of the 75,966 farms in Kentucky, over 90% are individually or family owned. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019).
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
·Youth will be agriculturally literate.
·Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
·Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
·Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
·Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
·Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
·Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Method: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Timeline: Pre and Post Test
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:
Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products
Method: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Timeline: Pre and Post Test
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming
Method: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
Timeline: Pre and Post Test
Audience: Preschool – 8th Grade
Project or Activity: Heritage Days
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1; Acres of Adventures 2; Bee Ambassadors; Local Traditions
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, School System Facilities
Dates: September – October 2022-2024
Audience: Preschool – 8th Grade
Project or Activity: Earth Week Roundup
Content or Curriculum: Exploring Your Environment Series
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, School System Facilities
Dates: Earth Week 2024-2026
Audience: Ages 9-18
Project or Activity: JR Beekeepers
Curriculum: 4-H Bee Ambassador Program
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Extension Funding, Donations, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Extension Facilities
Dates: Year Round - Monthly Meetings
Audience: 9th – 12th Grade
Project or Activity: 4-H Poultry Program
Curriculum: Egg Preparation Demonstration; Kentucky 4-H Chicken and Turkey Barbeque Project; Kentucky 4-H Poultry: Barbeque Contests; National Avian Bowl Manual; ChickQuest: A Classroom Journey through the Life Cycle; ChickQuest Logbook; Hatching with my “Peeps” Embryology Countdown Calendar; Poultry Project and Record Book
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Extension
Funding, Donations, Extension FacilitiesDates: May – August 2024-2026
Audience: 4th – 12th Grade
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Learning Camps
Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1; Acres of Adventures 2; Learn, Grow, Eat and Go
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, School System Facilities
Dates: May, June 2024-2026
Audience: K-12th Grade
Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Program
Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curricula; 4-H Gardening Levels A, B, C, D, and Helper’s Guide; Learn, Grow, Eat and Go
Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, School System Facilities
Dates: August – May 2024 - 2026
