McCracken County CES

Title:

Increasing Agriculture Awareness

MAP:

Agriculture/Horticulture

Agents Involved:

Wooley, Wimberley, Tashjian, Henderson, Baysinger, ANR Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Ag Marketing

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Sustainable Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Bees/Beekeeping

Situation:

As the years go by, more people become farther removed from the farm. Therefore, there are many that are unaware of the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives from the clothes on our backs, the fuel in our vehicles and the food on our dinner table. Unfortunately, as we become more and more removed from the agriculture industry, the greater the misconceptions. There is an important need in our community for agriculturalists to share their story, educate consumers on where their food comes from and share the truth about agriculture.

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Individuals will be able to identify and correct misconceptions within the agricultural industry.

Intermediate Outcomes:

-The number of individuals in the agriculture industry willing to "share their story" will increase.

-The number of individuals approaching sustainable agriculture increases

Initial Outcomes:

-Residents will become more aware of how beneficial agriculture and agricultural practices are.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Residents will become more aware of how beneficial agriculture and agricultural practices are.

Indicator: Number of consumers reporting an increase in agriculture awareness

Method: survey, personal interviews, follow-up conversations

Timeline: ongoing

Intermediate Outcome: The number of individuals in the agriculture industry willing to "share their story" will increase.

Indicator: An increase in the number of agriculture volunteers

Method: survey

Timeline: ongoing

Long-term Outcome:-Individuals will be able to identify and correct misconceptions within the agricultural industry.

Indicator: A decrease in misconceptions

Method: survey, conversations, follow-calls

Timeline: ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: educational programming: "Mythbusters" , "Find Our CommonGround",

Content or Curriculum: publications, content from commodity groups

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers,

Date: ongoing

Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: Commodity Breakfast

Content or Curriculum: publications, volunteer's stories/experiences

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers

Date: Fall

Audience: Consumers/Youth

Project or Activity: Field Day

Content or Curriculum: publications, volunteer's stories/experiences, commodity organizations curriculum

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers

Date: Fall

Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: Beekeeping Program

Content or Curriculum: a series of Beginning Beekeeping and Master Beekeeping programs, publications

Inputs: UK/KSU College of Ag Professionals, Publications, Research Information, commodity organizations, State and Federal Agencies, farmers/producers, volunteers, Bee School 

Date: ongoing

Audience: Producers & Consumers

Projects or Activity: Small Farm School

Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Curriculum & Publications, Research Information, State & Federal Information

Inputs: UK/KSU specialist, State & Federal Agencies, commodity organizations, farmers/producers, volunteers 

Success Stories

Partnering with KSU for McCracken County Extension's Industrial Hemp Training Program

Author: Kathryn Wimberley

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

 SITUATION:As the years go by, more people become farther removed from the farm. Therefore, there are many that are unaware of the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives from the clothes on our backs, the fuel in our vehicles and the food on our dinner table. Unfortunately, as we become more and more removed from the agriculture industry, the greater the misconceptions. There is an important need in our community for agriculturalists to share their story, educate consumers on whe

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