Increase Knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources through Education and ExperiencePlan of Work

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Madison County CES

Title:
Increase Knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources through Education and Experience
MAP:
Increase Knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources through Education and Experience
Agents Involved:
Amanda Sears, Brandon Sears, Aubrey Clark, Gina Noe, Scott Darst
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
Situation:

People, animals and plants are dependent on Earth’s natural resources. Air, water and soil are all resources that are vital to our existence. It’s important to care for and respect these resources. By understanding how daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect the environment for present and future generations.


Every person in Kentucky is impacted by agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. As societies move away from the farms and from farming communities people become disconnected from the producers of the food and fibers that are necessities for daily life. (Project Food Land and People, 2007) (Acres of Adventure, 1999)

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will be better informed consumers, become advocates for agriculture, and know the importance of sustainable food systems.


Youth will complete farm and agriculture related projects which help them learn valuable life skills, communication skills, record keeping, showmanship, and product marketing.


Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.


Residents will gain an understanding of how daily choices can impact their environment. They will conserve and preserve natural resources for future generations


Citizens will become better stewards of the environment through an increase in knowledge, awareness, and recreation.


Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle

Citizens will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems


Homeowners will use less pesticides in their home and garden.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in their 4-H project work in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.


Youth will be able to explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others, set personal goals and accomplish them, and will practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture.


Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability


Madison County residents will be more aware of and use more energy efficient and green products and practices

People implement one or more practices that will improve home safety and disaster preparedness

Residents will utilize best management practices, including selecting the best plants for the space and integrated pest management, in regards to their home and landscape


Residents will recognize the importance of agriculture to the community.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science. Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communication, record-keeping, leadership and service.


Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in their 4-H project work in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.


They will be able to explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others, set personal goals and accomplish them, and will practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture.


Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies and identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.


Homeowners will learn about recycling, litter, and storm water.


Families will learn ways to help conserve soil, water, air, and energy.

Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations in understanding of issues related to: disaster preparedness, pest management, going green, energy conservation, solid waste management, water conservation, home safety, and the built environment.

Homeowners will understand the economics and environmental value of using best management practices in their lawn and garden.


Homeowners and farmers understand the importance of pesticide safety as it relates to themselves and the environment.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Indicator: Number of participants in the Food and Farming Field Day event and the Percentage of correct/ favorable survey responses.

Method: Food and Farming teacher/ participant evaluation, observations, 4-H Common Measures Agriculture, Record Book evaluation

Timeline: At the end of the Food and Farming Field Day and ongoing with 4-H project work.


Outcome: Youth will become better stewards of the environment through an increase in knowledge, awareness, and recreation. Youth will gain knowledge of interrelationship and interdependencies with an ecosystem.

Indicator: Increased life skills (self-efficacy) among youth in NR, Improved NR skills (scientific methods) and knowledge (content areas) among youth

Method: Pretest and post test

Timeline: Annually


Outcome:Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies and identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

Indicator:Number of youth who have gained an understanding of the ecosystems in nature and can identify the natural resources in their community.

Method:4-H Common Measures—Natural Resources

Timeline: Annually



Outcome: Homeowners and farmers understand the importance of pesticide safety as it relates to themselves and the environment.

Indicator:Increase in number of PATIM certifications

Method:UK PATIM training materials database

Timeline:Annually


Outcome: Homeowners will understand the economics and environmental value of using best management practices in their lawn and garden.

Indicator: Homeowners will use less pesticides in their landscape

Method: Surveys after classes

Timeline: throughout year


Learning Opportunities:

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Project Activities and Contests

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Ohio State Horse Learning Labs, Storey’s Guides, Hippology and Horse Bowl Resources, and others.

Inputs: volunteer time, refreshments for meetings, meeting space, riding space, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, member information packets, copies, others as needed.

Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, year round


Audience: Youth ages 5-18


Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Project Activities and Contests

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Ohio State Livestock Learning Labs, Storey’s Guides, KDA Rules and resources, and others.

Inputs: volunteer time, refreshments for meetings, meeting space, hands-on lab and meeting space, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, member information packets, copies, others as needed.

Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, October-May


Audience: Youth ages 5-18


Project or Activity: 4-H Poultry Project Activities and Contests

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Ohio State Livestock Learning Labs, Storey’s Guides, UK Poultry Publications, the Egg and I, Kentucky Poultry Federation materials, and others.

Inputs: volunteer time, refreshments for meetings, meeting space, hands-on lab and meeting space, project supplies (vary depending on activity), hatching and brooding supplies, quiz bowl materials and equipment, display materials, member information packets, copies, others as needed.

Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, year round


Audience: Youth in grades 3-5


Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology in the Classroom

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, UK Poultry Publications, the Egg and I, and others.

Inputs: Incubators, Brooders (with chick care supplies), ova-scope and candlers, fertilized eggs, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, student chick journals, copies, others as needed.

Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, year round


Audience: Youth in grade 3


Project or Activity: 4-H Food and Farming Field Day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Acres of Adventures, resources from Ag in the Classroom, Ag Council, The Egg and I, and others.

Inputs: Community Partners, Volunteers, Extension Staff and Agents, location, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, student journals, copies, others as needed.

Date: Annually in the fall


Audience:4-H Youth


Project or Activity: Environmental Education Overnight Camp

Content or Curriculum: Project Food, Land & People, Project WET, Project Learning Tree, and Entomology

Inputs: 4-H Agent time, volunteer time, funding, curriculum, equipment, meeting space

Date: Fall or Spring Annually




Audience: Youth ages 5-18


Project or Activity: School enrichment lessons

Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, Project Wild, Healthy Water Healthy People, Wildlife, Eco Adventures, Entomology

Inputs: 4-H agent, supplies, classrooms, equipment

Method: pretest and post test

Timeline: Annually



Audience: Youth 5-18


Project or Activity: Butterfly Life Cycle in the Classrooms & Butterfly gardens

Content or Curriculum: Project Butterfly Wings, UK pubs: Attracting Butterflies with Native Plants, varies

Inputs: classrooms, 4-H agents, supplies, classrooms, equipment

Method: pretest and post test

Timeline: Spring


Audience: Youth 9-18


Project or Activity: Live Stream or Wetland Study/Water quality

Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, 4-H Entomology, UK entomology

Inputs: stream, equipment, supplies, classrooms

Method: pretest and post test, results from biological and chemical testing

Timeline: Annually


Audience: 4th graders


Project or Activity: 4-H Goes Wild Environmental Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, Project Wild, Healthy Water Healthy People, Wildlife, Eco Adventures, Entomology, Forestry, Water quality, Soils

Inputs: UK specialists, community partners, EKU students, 4-H agents

Method: teacher survey

Timeline: Spring


Audience: Madison County Residents


Activity: Free Soil Testing Program

Content: UK Regulatory Services

Inputs: ANR & HORT agents, office staff, UK Regulatory Services

Date: As needed, year round


Audience: Madison County Residents


Activity: Horticulture Workshops

Content or Curriculum: As supplemented by instructor

Inputs: land grant publications, horticulture agent, specialist

Date: throughout year


Audience: Madison County Residents

Activity: Videos about Gardening

Content or Curriculum: Home Gardening in KY

Input: Farms, agents, volunteers

Date: Spring and summer


Audience: Madison County Residents

Activity: Articles, Social Media, Newsletters and display

Content: UK exclusives, posts and displays

Inputs: land grant publications, agent exclusives, Agents

Date: Year round


Audience: Madison County Residents

Activity: Diagnostic Services and Recommendations

Content: UK Extension Resources

Inputs: ANR and HORT agents, UK Extension Specialists and Resources

Date: On-going Year round


Audience: Madison County Residents


Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training (PATIM)

Content: UK Entomology/PATIM/Pest IRM

Inputs: ANR agent, office staff

Date: March-April, Annually



Success Stories

1st Annual Madison County Trap Shoot

Author: Brandon Darst

Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

1st Annual Madison County Trap Shoot

In an effort to keep 4-H booked in the summer at the Central Kentucky Wildlife Area, the Madison County 4-H Shooting Sports Club decided they would host their first ever shoot.  The District 4 Shooting Sports Committee disbanded, therefore leaving a weekend spot open for the shooting range that has long been coveted but the adult state shoot.  The 4-H Agent was concerned that once 4-H did not host a competition this year that 4-H in general would lost the weekend for ever.  The 4-

Full Story

Gardener's Insider Guide

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Kentucky is one of the lowest ranked states for chronic health issues such as cancer and diabetes due to lack of physical activity and poor eating habits. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the University of Kentucky School of Human Environmental Sciences partnered to create the Plate it up! Kentucky Proud program. This project provides healthy, great tasting recipes using Kentucky Proud products for the people of Kentucky. &

Full Story

Pay Dirt Newsletter

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

In 2007, the Extension Service added an Agent for Horticulture to meet the change in Madison County agriculture.  The Horticulture Agent quickly initiated the Pay Dirt newsletter.  The newsletter disseminates timely horticulture information and advertises upcoming education opportunities. The research-based information is provided by the Horticulture Agent and University of Kentucky Specialists from horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, plant and soil sciences and other department

Full Story

Madison County Hay Auction

Author: Brandon Sears

Major Program: Forages

The 2017 KY Ag Census lists Madison County as the 3rd largest hay producing county in the state of Kentucky with approximately 43,600 acres of hay. In an effort to help market local hay, the Madison County Extension ANR agent and the Madison County Fair Board partnered to coordinate a regional hay auction at the county fairgrounds.On Saturday January 12th, 2019 our 11th annual hay auction took place with 38 different lots of hay offered for sale. The Madison County ANR agent coordinated hay test

Full Story

Beginning Woodlands Webinar Series

Author: Brandon Sears

Major Program: Woodland Education

Forested land in Kentucky is vitally important to the economy, wildlife habitat and quality of life for residents. It comprises nearly twelve million acres or 47% of the state and provides 37,500 jobs from 1,125 wood industries in 112 counties. Kentucky forest industries ship $6.4 billion in products each year. It is estimated that $1.5 billion is spent annually on fishing, hunting and wildlife watching. Interestingly, 78% of Kentucky’s timberland is privately owned.In Madison County, 29%

Full Story

Urban Youth Experiencing All things Ag at the KY State Fair

Author: Brandon Darst

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Urban Youth Experiencing All things Ag at the KY State Fair

According to YOUTH AND AGRICULTURE: KEY CHALLENGES AND CONCRETE SOLUTIONS, a coordinated response to increase youth’s access to the agricultural sector is more important than ever. Rising global population and decreasing agricultural productivity gains imply that young people must play a pivotal role in ensuring a food-secure future for themselves and for future generations.The CES recognizes that urban youth in the community do not receive much agricultural interaction or education. &nbsp

Full Story

Nature: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

Author: Brandon Darst

Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

According to an article by A Childs Mind Institute, the average American child is said to spend 4 to 7 minutes a day in unstructured play outdoors, and more than 7 hours a day in front of a screen. And as suburbs and exurbs continue to expand, nature is parceled off more and kids seem less inclined to spend time in a fenced-in yard, let alone jump the fence into a neighbor’s or walk in the woods. Instead, indoor activities can seem easier (no sunscreen necessary!), safer, and even mor

Full Story
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