Addressing Water Issues
Raising Environmental Awareness
Dan Allen, Michele Stanton
Backyard Streams
Ag Water Quality Program
Urban Environments (water issues)
Kenton County is bordered by two major rivers (Licking and Ohio). There are two primary watersheds that are negatively affected by land use. Further, farmers and landowners of 10+ acres are voluntarily filing water quality plans.
Residents would implement BMPs that would improve the quality and cleanliness of the streams and rivers.
Best management practices are embraced by the residents and land owners. These practices are sought after as the "norm" in stewardship of land ownership.
Extension service would work with other organizations to teach and demonstrate best management practices addressing living in watersheds and near streams.
Initial Outcome: Implementation of BMPs
Indicator: Change in behavior and understanding of the need for water quality
Method: Evaluations and from organization like Sanitation District's ongoing water monitoring programs
Timeline: Post class, yearly
Intermediate Outcome: Survey, observation during farm visits.
Long-term Outcome: Cleaner water system in county.
Audience: Farm or land owners
Project or Activity: Water Quality Plan Training
Content or Curriculum: UK Water Quality plan
Inputs: Agent and UK website
Date: May 2018
Audience: Urban or Suburban Resident
Project or Activity: Living in a Watershed
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications, use of new Kenton County Extension facility, Sanitation District watershed park
Date: September 2017, May 2018
Audience: All residents
Project or Activity: Living Along a Stream/ Licking River Basin Coordinator Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Water Quality Plan, Kentucky Division of Water Pubs
Inputs: Agents and Kentucky Division of Water
Date: April 2018
Audience: All landowners, homeowners, residents
Project or Activity: Soil testing; Participants learn the value of avoiding non-needed fertilizers and using BMPs to reduce fertilizer runoff
Content or Curriculum: UK-lab soil testing and interpretations
Inputs: UK Regulatory Services, County Agents, UK publications
Date: Ongoing
Author: Daniel Allen
Major Program: Ag Water Quality Program
With the decline of dairy farms in Kentucky, following the closing of the Dean milk processing facility in Louisville, it has resulted in the loss of dairy farms across the state of Kentucky. On average, farmers spend $1.92 to produce a gallon of milk and make $1.32 when they sell it to processors. This is the fourth year in a row that farmers’ milk prices have dipped below the cost of production. Diary Farmers like Kenton County’s EdMar is looking for any way to help off
Author: Daniel Allen
Major Program: Beef
According to University of Kentucky publication ID-188 winter feeding of cattle on unfrozen ground almost always leads to mud. Combined with feces and urine deposited around hay rings or feeding areas, it can result in an area of concentrated pollutants that post a threat to nearby water resources. The net result is pollutants to streams and loss of grazing area and weed infestation from bare areas in the spring or summer. Kenton County’s rolling terrain creates an opportunity for th