Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban ForestryPlan of Work

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Jefferson County CES

Title:
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban Forestry
MAP:
Promoting Sustainability
Agents Involved:
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, A. Holt, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, M. Pearce and K. Smith
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Urban Environments (water issues)
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. However, agriculture in Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky’s largest and most urban county, looks decidedly different. With a few hundred traditional farms scattered in the far south end of the county, production agriculture receipts are quite small. However, urban agriculture, home gardening and commercial horticulture are popular and growing segments. Also, with the local food and makers movements gaining momentum in Louisville/Jefferson County, the impact from food and fiber producers is great.

Equally important are natural resources. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that citizens care for and respect these resources.

Disaster preparedness is necessary for safe communities. Each year, on average, Kentuckians deal with 30-50 days associated with thunderstorms, 12 tornadoes and 3 fatalities related to tornadoes. In additions, flooding is a problem in Jefferson County, as well as other natural disasters.
Long-Term Outcomes:
• Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and agriculture.

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

• Youth and adults will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.

• Youth and adults will place value on and advocate for water resources, protect and improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollutants.

• Youth and adults will protect and improve water, soil and air resources.

• Youth and adults will maintain or improve wildlife habitat (e.g. beneficial insects).

• Farmers will improve efficiency of manure handling, reduce environmental impacts of winter feeding areas and homeowners will reduce lawn, landscape and garden additives.

• Increased tree planting will help to maintain or decrease the “heat island effect.”
Intermediate Outcomes:
• Youth and adults are making changes in their daily lives that implement sustainable practices and home horticulture such as gardening, water conservation, recycling and an increase in community based initiatives around the same things.

• Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.

• Producers implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their property or in their community.

• Youth and adults will make informed decisions on daily activities and actions that affect water quality by attending a stormwater education and training program

• Advocate for stormwater BMPs with clients and community leaders

• Develop, update and implement Ag Water Quality Plan and Nutrient Management Plan

• Residents will appreciate and improve forested areas and will increase the number of tree planted.
Initial Outcomes:
• Gain knowledge and skills, developing and interest in the subject matter, developing an understanding of the interdependencies of the ecosystem. Learn valuable life skills that pertain to horticulture and environmental issues.

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

• Youth and adults will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.

• Youth and adults can define watershed, stormwater, impervious surfaces, pollutant runoff, hydrology and stream ecology

• Youth and adults can recognize the water quality issues/needs on their property, at their school, in the community

• Youth and adults can understand the benefits of native plants, non-aggressive perennials, and vegetation in the landscape

• Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil conservation

• Working with urban adjacent forestland owners to develop sustainable land practices
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil
conservation.
Indicator: Number of homeowners who successfully deliver a soil sample
Method: Extension soil test records and vouchers
Timeline: Ongoing through the year

Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Indicator: An increase in youth and adults who explain the role of agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs

Long-term Outcome: Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and sustainable agriculture.
Indicator: An increase in the number of youth and adults that participate,
practice and advocate for sustainable horticulture and agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Master Gardeners program

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener manual

Inputs: speakers, lab class, quizzes, tests, agent time

Date: May 2017 – October 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: summer programs, after school clubs

Content or Curriculum: activities, project wild, Jr MG program

Inputs: Jr. MG program curriculum

Date: July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Community Garden implementation; school garden

Content or Curriculum: Extension publications

Inputs: Master Gardener volunteers; agents; specialists;

content curriculum

Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018


Audience: Louisville residents

Project or Activity: Rain Gardens

Content or Curriculum: Rain gardens with MSD curriculum

Inputs: Plants, agents, MSD

Date: TBD


Audience: Commercial producers

Project or Activity: GAP Training, farmers market sampling certificate,

organic certification

Content or Curriculum: Programs associated with above projects

Inputs: Farms, KDA, agents, buyers, farmers

Date: TBD


Audience: Seniors

Project or Activity: Food Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: CES publications, Plate It Up, Farmers Market

Inputs: All CES Agents, CES publications, extension

publications

Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Ag Field Day

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Louisville Water Company Festival

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017 


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017 -  Aug. 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Camp

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Gardening

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Country Ham

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Clubs

Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,

Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,

Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,

Cooking, Gardening

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants

Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Gardening in Small Spaces

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA)

Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Light Bulbs in the Home

Content or Curriculum: Home Energy Use

Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources

Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Home Cleaning Products

Content or Curriculum: Household Waste Management

Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources

Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018



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Incubator Farm Program Supports New Americans in building Farm Businesses

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Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

The Incubator Farm Program is a three-year farm business development program for New Americans in Louisville, KY. The program is co-facilitated by the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent and Program Manager from Common Earth Gardens, a division of Catholic Charities with support from Navigate Enterprise Services (Louisville Org. that specializes in limited resource/New American business development) and Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD). Participants in the program had t

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West End Micro Greens

Author: Stephen Lewis

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

According to the “State of Food” study conducted the University of Louisville, there is an average of 1 full service grocer per 25,000 residents in West Louisville compared to a Jefferson County wide ratio of 1 per every 12,500 residents. This leaves many residents dependent on food pantries and subsidized programs while not fully addressing core issues such as the lack of economic opportunities that are also prevalent in food deserts. While the city has numerous community green spac

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2018 Urban Homesteading Workshop Series Outcomes

Author: Bethany Pratt

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

The Jefferson Co. Agent for Horticulture Education collaborated with the Urban Conservationist with Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District and local non-profit, Louisville Grows to host the first Urban Homesteading Workshop Series. The goal of the program was to introduce the art of self-sufficiency via homegrown food production for people living in an urban environment. Classes met twice a month, March.-Oct. of 2018 with a celebration at the end of October. Meeting 1 was a

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Winter Farm Business Classes lead to earlier spring planting & increased participant income

Author: Bethany Pratt

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing

2019 is the second year of a three-year farm business development program for New Americans in Louisville, KY. The program is co-facilitated by the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent and Program Manager from Common Earth Gardens, a division of Catholic Charities with support from Navigate Enterprise Services (Louisville Org. that specializes in limited resource/New American business development) and Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD). Participants in the program had to a

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4-H Embryology

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

In the 2018-2019 school year, over 30 classrooms, representing both private and public Jefferson County schools, requested the Embryology project from the Jefferson County 4-H program. Teachers within classrooms wanted hands on experience with learning life skills and knowledge of the process of embryology. Youth learned to care and maintain for the eggs and incubator before, during and after the incubation period. They also learned the proper care of newly hatched chicks. Kelly Smith, Jefferson

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Drip Irrigation Workshop Exposes New American Farmers to New Watering Methods

Author: Bethany Pratt

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Sustainable water use practices are a priority for farmers across the country. Many farmers in Jefferson County use wasteful practices such as overhead watering to bring water to their crops. This is especially true of New American Farmers who have limited experience and exposure to different types of watering methods. In order to expose New American Farmers to different watering methods, the Horticulture Agent partnered with Irrigation Specialist, Dr. Brent Rowell of UK, the Jefferson Co. Soil

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Master Gardeners provide education and assistance at Louisville Free Public Library’s 2019 How to Fest

Author: Stephen Lewis

Major Program: Master Gardener

Master Gardeners provide education and assistance at Louisville Free Public Library’s 2019 How to Fest

The How to festival is an event put on by the Louisville Free Public library where the community can come out and learn 50 different topics in 5 hours. Presenters and experts from various local organizations and businesses share their expertise freely with the public in 45-minute workshops. Master Gardener volunteers had a significant presence at this event.  The Jefferson County Master Gardener Association is a volunteer group that works closely with extension to provide agricultural educa

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Urban Garden volunteers see economic potential in their education and experience

Author: Stephen Lewis

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Urban Garden volunteers see economic potential in their education and experience

Having volunteers are a critical component to the effectiveness of county agents. They significantly increase an agent’s ability to reach target audiences and affect change in the community. Volunteers often come from the same areas they work in and see extension agents as a resource to provide education and opportunities that they otherwise may not have access. Technical training and research-based information from University extension programs can provide skill and experience that volunt

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The Master Gardener Program completes its 2019 Class and keeps giving back

Author: Stephen Lewis

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Master Gardener Program was created by extension to help answer horticulture questions from home gardeners but it has blossomed into a vital resource for urban garden communities. The 2019 Master Gardener class lasted 14 weeks and covered several topics from organic gardening to entomology taught by university professors, industry specialists, and master gardeners. The class of 41 completed their final exam and graduated to the level of interns where they must complete 40 volunteer hours to

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The Louisville Zoo Toxic Plant Survey

Author: Phillip Long

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture - Landscape Ecosystems

The Louisville Zoo is comprised of 134 acres situated in the city’s Poplar Level neighborhood. The Zoo has 6 zones of exhibits several of which contain yards that have native or introduced plant species. In some cases, these yards may contain toxic plants that could cause serious health issues with the animals. On several occasions, animals have consumed plants that required veterinarian services including a hospital stay. The Louisville Zoo’s Senior Veterinarian reached out to

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Iroquois Farm Soil Contamination Remediation Program

Author: Phillip Long

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Iroquois Farm is situated on an 8 acre Louisville Metro Housing Authority demolition site owned by the city of Louisville. After the Louisville Metro Housing Authority had the buildings removed, the contractor brought in soil to level out the site for some future use and submitted soil sample test results. Soil test results indicated high levels of Arsenic and Lead. The Food Literacy Program contacted The Housing Authority to discussing leasing the land for vegetable farming. An agreement was re

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