Extension
It Starts With Us
Increase Knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources through Education and Experience
Increase Knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources through Education and Experience
Amanda Sears, Brandon Sears, Aubrey Clark, Gina Noe, Scott Darst
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Local Food Systems
Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Author: Brandon Darst
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
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-
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. &
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
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
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%
Author: Brandon Darst
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
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.  
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
